In response to the Letter to the Editor criticizing West Bronx Housing in the April 2 – 15, 2015:  West Bronx Housing’s move was not our choice.

Like many businesses in Norwood, we lost our lease. We would have loved to stay in the immediate area, but despite three months searching, we were unable to find a spot that fit our criteria: big enough to hold our staff, wheelchair accessible, within our catchment area (which includes all of Bronx Community Boards 5 and 7 (the area south of Woodlawn Cemetery and north of the Cross Bronx Expressway and from Webster Avenue to the Harlem River), and within our budget. This last was particularly difficult, in light of the fact that our budget has been cut every year for the last six years.  In fact, we found only two spaces that met our criteria.  The site we chose was the closest to our old site.

We did not find a location until two weeks before we needed to be out of old space.  Because of our very small staff (three full time workers, two part-time workers), the need to meet the move-out  deadline and to notify as many of our clients as possible, we mailed out over 3,000 postcards in order to reach as many current and former clients as possible.  If the writer did not receive one, I apologize.  It certainly wasn’t for want of trying.  We also leafleted in the community, and put up signs on the front door of our old space.  (That sign was torn down, and replaced by us at least four times).

I’m sorry the writer of this letter has had difficulty getting to our new office.  Had he or she called, we would have worked with them to find a solution to their problem.  I can tell you that since our move in November, 498 clients have come to the office.  We have made arrangements with any number of clients since the move to make things easier for them, including doing home visits.  All you need to do is call, and let us know.  The phone numbers did not change.  And while I may be “on the ball” (thank you for that, by the way), I can’t read minds.

The second part of this letter baffles me.  It’s very difficult to figure out what the writer is talking about.

I’ve reviewed our daily logs going back four years, and have no record of any landlord calling or coming in looking for help with windows.

 If the landlord called asking for loans to fix SOME windows in the building, the truth is that there is no such assistance available via the City.  We would have told him that he would need to apply for assistance via a bank.  MCI benefits, which increase the rent of every tenant, are only available to owners if they replace EVERY window in the building, and even then they can only apply once every 15 to 25 years, depending on what material the window frames being replaced were made from.  If this does not fit the situation the writer is speaking about, I apologize.  I speak to dozens of owners a year, and have no specifics to draw from.
The description of the window problem in this letter sounds dreadful, but how were we to know of them unless either the tenant or landlord told us?  As I said earlier, I don’t read minds.  I would have been happy to try to get the repairs made for the tenant, had I known.
In summing up, let me repeat that we are happy to work with tenants and owners at no cost to them, as we have always been.  The fastest way to get assistance is to simply call.  Our phone numbers are (718) 798-0929 or (718) 652-3344. We do work by appointment but we can generally see people within a day or two.  You can make an appointment over the phone.  We are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for calls. And again, we will try to work with you

to meet your needs, if you cannot get here.

Sally Dunford, Executive Director atWest Bronx Housing