DON'T PANIC - IT'S A GOOD THING!

Many tenants got two-page rent summaries and receipts today, and some people were confused about what they meant. I think some people thought they were behind in their rent, when in fact they were just fine. We're all legally entitled to rent receipts, by the way - but I, like many people, rarely if ever request one.

Even if you actually DO owe rent and are behind, the rent statement is potentially a good thing. Sometimes public assistance makes a mistake and doesn't pay (even though you may assume they're up to date), and H.S.I. may not tell you until it's been going on for quite a while, and at that point, you may be getting close to an eviction proceeding. Having the statement in hand gives you information you badly need - and allows you to go down to the Waverly or 16th St. offices to straighten it out before you wind up in Housing Court.

DON'T PANIC. Go down to the rent office on the second floor (not your case manager) and have them go over it with you. It's better to know more about this stuff than remain in the dark. Finally, H.S.I. has taken the initiative to do something right for tenants on their own.