Resident Advisory Board

Resident Advisory Board Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) is to assist the Housing Opportunities Commission in carrying out its responsibilities by bringing residents’ voices to deliberations and decisions that affect the wellbeing of HOC’s residents.

RAB is a jurisdiction-wide resident organization. The objective of RAB is to represent the interests of low and moderate income residents living in affordable housing within Montgomery County, Maryland.

1. To represent the interests of low- and moderate-income (“LMI”) residents living in affordable housing within Montgomery County, Maryland (the “County”), as defined by the Area Median Income (“AMI”) standard.
2. To review and provide input on the plans, policies, and operations of the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (“HOC”) and other agencies serving LMI residents within the County (“Agencies”).
3. To make recommendations to Agencies and HOC regarding changes to their existing or proposed policies/plans, and to advise them regarding the overall concerns and needs of LMI residents living in affordable and assisted housing within the County.
4. To seek and recommend candidate(s) for resident seat(s) on the boards of other Agencies.
5. To communicate with LMI residents living in the County and provide input to agencies in the planning of programs, services, and activities intended to benefit LMI residents living in the County, and to seek additional resources, which would enhance the living conditions of LMI residents living in the County.
6. To learn and stay abreast of issues that affect the housing of LMI residents living in the County, and advocate on behalf of LMI residents.
7. To prepare and present testimony to government groups regarding pending legislation and program changes affecting LMI residents living in the County.
8. To sponsor and participate in educational programs, workshops, seminars, public forums and other programs in order to enable LMI residents living in the County to assume leadership roles.
9. To help establish and support community based associations and civic groups and to encourage participation by LMI residents living in the County in such groups.

RAB continuously works to bring residents’ concerns, ideas and recommendations for change and improvement to HOC for action. Among its accomplishments:

• Expansion of the annual Resident Satisfaction Survey to include Public Housing properties
• Provided input on HUD required documents including the Five-Year and Annual Plans
• Based on RAB recommendations for HOC Rent Collection procedure improvements, the first on-site rent collection effort was initiated at Holly Hall (it is expected to be implemented at other properties) and hours were extended for rent collection at the two Customer Service Centers
• Advocated on behalf of Sandy Spring residents in their battle against exorbitantly high utility bills
• RAB members served on the HOC Hearing Board to provide objectivity and sensitivity to resident cases
• Conducted a joint work session with the Commissioners to discuss a variety of pressing issues of importance to residents

RAB functions under a set of by-laws that govern its internal operations.
Resident Advisory Board Bylaws

RAB Members

Founded in February 1985, the RAB is a jurisdiction-wide resident organization that consists of nine members and nine seats. The RAB seats are allocated as follows:

• Three seats known as the Tenant Based Voucher (TBV) Program Seats, which are designated for residents who participate in the federal tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher Program
• One seat known as the Supportive Housing Program Seat, which is designated for residents who participate in a federally funded permanent supportive housing program
• One seat known as the Project Based Voucher (PBV) Program Seat, which is designated for residents who participate in the federal project-based Housing Choice Voucher Program
• One seat known as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program Seat, which is designated for residents who participate in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
• Three seats known as the Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) Program Seats, which are designated for residents who participate in the federal Project Based Rental Assistance Program

Current Members

Adam Pinchuck

President

Jamene Johnson

Vice President

Denise Anderson

Parliamentarian

Stephanie Frazier

Secretary

Robert Arnold

Member

Yeshitla Desta

Member

Dr. Barbara Hampton

Member

Irma Washington

Member

RAB Announcement of Nominations and Election

The Resident Advisory Board of Montgomery County (RAB) is hosting an election as required at least every three years. Please find information about the Resident Advisory Board, nominations and election dates in our Resident Advisory Board Elections page.

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• Resident Advisory Board Elections
• Resident Advisory Board Candidates