Housing commission voids eviction for child’s water slide

The trouble started when Linda Smith, a resident of Senator Circle, erected a water slide for her grandchild’s birthday and was served an eviction notice for violation of her lease on Aug. 2.

But at Houma Terrebonne Housing Authority (HTHA) Board of Commissioners’ last meeting, Smith’s eviction, as well as another eviction served for the same violation, was overturned 3-2 – a vote HTHA Executive Director Wayne Thibodeaux disapproved of.

“Ms. Smith sent a letter saying she was going to do a certain thing, and we said, ‘No you can’t do that certain thing,’ and she did it anyway,” Thibodeaux said. “I don’t think there’s any burdensome action on the housing authority for doing what we’re trying to do. We have to keep this place organized.”

The HTHA dwelling lease for Senator Circle states swimming pools and other “miscellaneous structures” shall not be constructed on the property.

Commissioner Joe Thompson questioned the ambiguity of the lease’s language.

“Personally, reading this and looking at it, it’s a broad picture that we’re painting. If we’re going to say no water slides, I think we need to specifically say no swimming pools and no water slides to spell out exactly what we’re talking about,” he said. “We need to use some type of verbiage about not erecting anything on the property, because that’s where the confusion comes in.”

Thompson asked the board to amend the verbiage in the dwelling lease and to revoke the two pending evictions in the same motion. Commissioner Johnny Jeanise voted against the measure, while Commissioner Pat Cazes abstained, stating she agreed with the first part, but opposed the eviction.

“I’d hate to see two families on the street because they put up a water slide to enjoy a day with their families. It’s a little harsh,” Thompson said.

Smith also attended last week’s meeting to address the eviction process, stating procedure was followed properly.

“I had a formal hearing on Aug. 31, and I should have [according to the grievance procedure] received a notice from my hearing officer within 10 business days regarding a reason why I was evicted,” Smith said, noting she only received a letter addressed from Thibodeaux that did not give a reason for her eviction.

“If I have to follow procedure, you have to follow procedure, too,” Smith said.

Thibodeaux said he would follow up with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for an opinion on the board involving itself in evictions, although HTHA attorney Jimmy Dagate noted the board had the right to.

Thibodeaux noted the dwelling lease would be amended then circulated among residents for 30 days. The updated lease will be ready for HTHA’s November meeting, Thibodeaux said.

Last Friday, Smith said when she went to pay her monthly rent, Thibodeaux had given the office specific instructions not to accept it.

“I spoke with two of the commissioners this morning,” she said. “The call was the call, and they cannot overturn their decision.”