PRP.7.14.020 Settlement of Grievance

(a) All grievances shall be in writing (signed by the complainant) and shall be hand delivered by the complainant or his/her representative or delivered by mail, to the Executive Director. The grievance may be simply stated, but shall specify:

(1) The particular grounds(s) upon which it is based;

(2) The action requested; and

(3) The name, address and telephone number of the complainant and similar information about his/her representative, if any.

(b) The grievance must be presented by the complainant or his representative within a reasonable time, not in excess of ten (10) days of the action or failure to act which is the basis of the grievance.

(c) The Executive Director shall schedule a hearing as promptly as possible. A written notification specifying the time place and procedures governing the hearing shall be delivered to the complainant.

(d) Escrow Deposit.

(1) Before a hearing is scheduled in any grievance involving an amount of rent the Authority claims is due, the complainant shall pay to the Authority all rent due and payable as of the month preceding the month in which the act or failure to act took place.

(2) The complainant shall, prior to the initiation of a grievance hearing, deposit the disputed sum into an escrow account, and, if the dispute involves the amount of monthly payment, such continuing monthly payments shall also be deposited into the escrow account until the complaint is resolved by decision of the Executive Director. If the dispute is not over the amount of the monthly rent or payment, the complainant is required to continue such monthly payments as per the lease or agreement.

(3) The requirements specified in Section PRP.7.14.020(d)(1) and (b) above, may be waived by the Housing Authority in extraordinary circumstances.

(4) Unless so waived, failure to make the aforementioned payments shall result in termination of the grievance procedure.

(5) Upon settlement of the dispute by decision of the Executive Director, the funds so deposited in said escrow account shall be distributed as per the decision.