(2)
LTO Recognition.
(a)
Recognition Requirements for LTOs. The LHA shall
encourage and assist public housing Tenants and adult Household Members
(referred to in 760 CMR 6.00 as "Residents") to form one or more Resident
Associations with democratically elected officers to represent the Residents in
dealing with the LHA on matters which affect their rights, status, duties,
welfare, or other interests. Once formed, a Resident Association may, but is
not required to, submit a written request to the LHA to recognize the
Association as the official LTO representing a specific group of Residents for
a five year term. In order to be recognized as an LTO, an Association shall
demonstrate that:
1.
Persons
Represented. The Association is and will be representative of one
of the following groups: all Residents of LHA operated public housing city
wide, town wide, neighborhood wide, or program wide (all of which may include
Tenants in federally subsidized housing); all Residents in state aided family
housing; all Residents in state aided elderly/disabled housing; or all
Residents in a particular state aided Development or in public housing operated
on behalf of an LHA which is not owned or managed by the LHA.
2.
Participation by
Residents. The Association does not and will not impose any
unreasonable restriction on participation by any Resident whom it
represents.
3.
Purpose
of Representation. The purpose of the Association is to provide
representation for Residents in matters which affect their rights, status,
duties, or other common interests, and to seek and maintain a courteous working
relationship with the LHA.
4.
Notices. The Association provides the Residents whom
it represents with sufficient notice of its activities. Any notice required to
be given by an LTO to the Residents will be sufficient if given at least seven
calendar days before the event and if posted in prominent locations in the
Development lobby or community room and in the LHA's Office(s). More notice,
including notices delivered by flyers, mail or email, is encouraged. In an
emergency, such as in response to an emergency board meeting called by the LHA
or in other situations in which it is not possible to give seven days' notice,
notice will be sufficient if given 48 hours before the event.
5.
Written Rules or By
laws. The Association is and will be governed by written rules or
by laws which may be changed only by a majority vote of a quorum of Residents
as defined by the Association's by laws who are present at a meeting after
notice was given of the time, date, location, and purpose.
6.
Meetings. Regular
meetings open to attendance by Residents are required to be held and are held
at least twice per year at times and places that are reasonably convenient to
Residents, that notice will be given of these meetings, and that Residents have
reasonable opportunity to make known their views on matters of common interest
at the meetings.
7.
Board. The Association's Board Members are elected
from Residents whom the Association represents. The Association's by laws shall
establish a procedure for the election of the Association's officers, who may
be elected by the Board or by all of the Residents whom the Association
represents.
8.
Elections. Elections of Board Members are required to
be held and are held on a regular basis at least once every three years
pursuant to a fair election procedure which shall impose no unnecessary
restrictions on Residents desiring to run for the Board and which shall entitle
every represented Resident to vote after notice of the time and place of the
election, and; that each election shall be supervised by a disinterested person
or organization with experience in supervising elections who shall provide the
LHA with a certificate attesting to the fairness of the election.
9.
Recall Elections.
Recall elections may be held to unseat and replace an LTO Board Member at any
time but only upon written request which specifies the reason for the recall
election and which is signed by one or more Residents in at least two
Households or 10% or more of the Households represented, whichever is greater.
Recall elections must be held in accordance with the requirements of
760
CMR 6.09(2)(a)8.
10.
Board Vacancies.
The Association's by laws establish a process for special elections or other
procedures for filling vacancies that may occur on its Board between regular
elections.
11.
Budgets. The Association has a proposed budget which
will be adopted annually after discussion with members at meeting(s) held for
the purpose and that an annual statement of income and expenditures from all
funding sources will be provided to its members.
(b)
Recognition of
LTO. Within 90 days of a request from a Resident Association, the
LHA shall grant the Association recognition as an LTO for a five year term if:
1. the Association has adopted, implemented
and is in compliance with written rules or by laws which set out the substance
of all of the requirements in
760
CMR 6.09(2)(a)1. through
11.;
2. if there is no other
currently recognized LTO for the same group of Residents which is active
(i.e., has held at least two Resident meetings during the
prior 12 months), and;
3. if there
is no other competing Association seeking recognition as LTO for the same group
of Residents. However, if the existing LTOs form an Umbrella Tenant
Organization (which may include a Resident Advisory Board) consisting of
representatives from the LTOs that have assumed the rights and duties of the
LTOs under
760
CMR 6.09 to them in full or in part, the LHA
shall also recognize that Umbrella Tenant Organization.
(c)
Notification. An
Association granted recognition by the LHA shall be notified in writing that it
shall be the official LTO representing that group of Residents for a term of
five years. An Association refused recognition by the LHA shall be promptly
notified in writing of the reasons therefor and informed of its right to EOHLC
review pursuant to
760
CMR 6.09(2)(h).
(d)
Rules or
By-laws. The Association must submit a copy of the Association's
written rules or by laws to the LHA with the Association's request for
recognition as an LTO. The LTO shall make available to Residents upon their
request a copy of the Association's written rules or by laws. The LHA shall
post the Association's rules or by laws and the contact information of the
officers of an LTO on the LHA's website and prominently in the LHA's offices
and in any community center or room serving Residents represented by the LTO.
The LHA shall also post the effective dates of recognition of the LTO in the
same locations. The LTO shall promptly notify the LHA of any change to its by
laws or rules and the results of elections of its officers, and the LHA shall
update its website and postings accordingly.
(e)
Recognition When There is
More than One Association Requesting Recognition. An LHA shall not
recognize more than one LTO to represent any of the following groups in state
aided public housing: Residents city wide or town wide; Residents in family
housing; Residents in elderly/disabled housing; or Residents in a particular
Development. The LHA may recognize as an LTO a Resident Association which
represents one or more than one of these groups so long as the group is not
already represented by an LTO. An Association shall not seek recognition as an
LTO if the group of Residents represented by the Association is already
represented by an LTO which is within its five year term of recognition and
which has held at least two Resident meetings each year since the beginning of
that term.
If two or more Resident Associations are candidates for
recognition as LTO for the same group of Residents, the LHA shall meet with the
competing Associations and encourage them to merge as a single Association. If
the competing Associations cannot agree to merge within a reasonable time, the
LHA shall recognize the Association which the LHA determines will best
represent the Residents. In making this determination, the LHA shall consider
the evidence of all relevant circumstances, including the following:
1. the Association's compliance with the
requirements of
760
CMR 6.09(a)1. through
11.
2. the numbers of Residents
voting in the Association's previous election(s).
3. the numbers of Residents attending the
Association's prior meeting(s).
4.
the Association's efforts to keep Residents informed, to address their
concerns, and to encourage their participation.
5. the ease with which Residents participate
in the Association's activities, including the time and place of meetings, the
effectiveness of notice procedures, the procedures governing participation at
the meetings, and the inclusiveness of the procedure for nominating and
electing Board Members and/or officers.
6. the extent of engagement of the
Association in activities that provide representation for Residents in matters
affecting their rights, status, duties, or other common interests and in
activities that seek and maintain a courteous working relationship with the
LHA.
7. the LTO's demonstrated
ability to represent the interest of all of the Residents in the LTO.
The LHA shall promptly mail its written decision which may
recognize one of the Associations as LTO for a term of five years and which
shall deny recognition of the other(s) with an explanation of its reasons, to
each of the competing Associations at the addresses provided by them. The LHA
decision shall inform any Resident Association denied recognition that it may
seek EOHLC review pursuant to section
760
CMR 6.09(2)(h).
(f)
Recognition of an LTO after Expiration of Term. The
recognition of an LTO by an LHA shall automatically expire five years from the
date of the written decision of the LHA that informed the Association of its
recognition as LTO. In addition to posting the dates of an LTO's term of
recognition on its website and in its offices, the LHA shall notify an LTO in
writing that its term is expiring at least 90 days before the expiration date.
No sooner than 90 days before the end of an LTO's term, any Resident
Association, including the Association that was the formerly recognized LTO,
may submit a written request to the LHA for recognition in accordance with
760
CMR 6.09(2). The LHA shall
not recognize the current LTO for another term unless it has demonstrated its
current compliance with the requirements of
760
CMR 6.09(2)(a)1. through 11.
and until after its term has expired. If there are competing Association(s),
then the LHA shall select an Association for recognition from among them using
the criteria found in
760
CMR 6.09(2)(e). An
Association refused recognition by the LHA shall be promptly notified in
writing of the reasons therefor and informed of its right to EOHLC review
pursuant to
760
CMR 6.09(2)(h).
(g)
Revocation of
Recognition. Once an LTO has been recognized by an LHA, only EOHLC
may revoke such recognition. An LHA may request that EOHLC revoke recognition
of an LTO:
1. in the event of the LTO's
material failure to follow the requirements of
760
CMR 6.09(2)(a)1. through
11.;
2. in the event of the LTO's
material failure to follow the provisions of applicable law, including
regulations of EOHLC;
3. in the
event of the LTO's substantial misuse of funds, space or supplies provided by
the LHA; or
4. for other good
cause.
Failure to hold regular meetings open to Residents or failure
to hold fair elections are examples of good cause for revocation of
recognition. At least 30 business days prior to requesting that EOHLC revoke
recognition of an LTO, the LHA shall provide a written warning to the LTO that
it is considering requesting revocation of recognition and shall specify the
reason(s) in detail. The LHA shall include a description of measures which the
LHA deems necessary for the LTO to take to cure the violation.
If the LHA requests that EOHLC revoke recognition of an LTO,
its request shall be in writing and shall include a detailed specification of
the reasons and a copy of its written warning to the LTO. A copy of the LHA's
request shall be provided by the LHA to the LTO at the same time that it
submits the request to EOHLC, and the LTO shall have 30 business days within
which to file a written opposition to the request with EOHLC. If the LTO
opposes the request, EOHLC shall determine the facts and, if EOHLC finds that
there has been a material failure to follow the requirements of
760
CMR 6.09(2)(a)1. through
11., or applicable law, or that there has been a substantial misuse of funds,
space or supplies, or other good cause, EOHLC may revoke recognition of the LTO
or, if circumstances shall warrant a lesser sanction, may impose a lesser
sanction which EOHLC deems to be appropriate. The decision of EOHLC shall be in
writing and copies shall be provided to the LHA and LTO.
(h)
EOHLC Review of
the LHA's Decision on Recognition. If a Resident Association is
dissatisfied with a decision of the LHA concerning the grant or denial of
recognition of an LTO, or its decision as to whether to seek EOHLC revocation
of recognition of an LTO, the Association may, within 30 days of the date that
the LHA's decision was mailed, request in writing that EOHLC review the LHA's
decision.
Upon receiving a request for review, EOHLC shall schedule a
hearing at the LHA at which the LHA and each Association involved shall be
required to appear and to submit evidence in support of their positions. The
written decision of EOHLC may uphold or set aside the LHA's decision and shall
explain the reasoning of EOHLC. The decision shall be mailed to the LHA and
each Association involved.
(i)
Transitional Rule for
Existing LTOs. The recognition of an LTO prior to March 9, 2018
shall continue in full force and effect until March 9, 2023 unless recognition
is revoked as provided in
760
CMR 6.09(2)(g).
(3)
Terms of LTO
Participation. The LHA and each LTO shall negotiate an agreement
in writing regarding LTO participation, including the resources that will be
provided to the LTO by the LHA and the opportunities granted to the LTO to
represent the interests of the Residents that it represents on LHA initiatives.
The agreement shall be responsive to and reflective of local circumstances. The
agreement shall be in effect during the five year term of the LTO's
recognition. The agreement may be renewed if the LTO is recognized for
additional term(s). Every LTO participation agreement shall contain provisions
which provide for the following:
(a)
Meetings. The executive director of the LHA, or a
designee with authority to speak for the LHA, shall schedule meetings quarterly
at convenient times and places with each LTO or its designee(s) separately or
jointly. At least one such meeting shall be for the purpose of considering
Resident proposals for inclusion in the LHA's Annual Plan pursuant to
760
CMR 4.16: LHA Annual Plans.
Such meetings must comply with the Open Meeting Law (M.G.L. 30A, §§18
through 25) if a quorum of the LHA's Board will be present. At least ten
working days before the meeting, the LHA shall notify each affected LTO of the
date, time, place and purpose of the meeting, and shall post said notice in a
conspicuous place in the LHA's office and in common areas of Developments, such
as community rooms, and by hand delivery, mail or email to the LTO Officers.
Either the LHA or an LTO may schedule an agenda item for the meeting by giving
at least two days advance written notice to the other(s). If no agenda item is
so scheduled, the meeting may be canceled by the LHA with advance notice to the
LTO(s). Both the LHA and the LTO(s) shall attend the meeting if one or more
agenda items have been scheduled.
(b)
Availability and Copies of
Documents. The LHA shall permit an LTO to inspect all written
policies, procedures, rules, regulations, leases, and other forms in use at the
LHA. Personal information which is not public shall not be made available. The
LTO may request copies of documents subject to inspection, and the LHA shall
not charge for these copies so long as the LTO's request for copies is
reasonable in number and does not specify documents of which the LHA has
recently provided copies to the LTO.
(c)
LTO Funding by the
LHA. Upon request the LHA shall fund all LTOs in a city or town at
the annual rate of $25.00 per state-aided public housing unit occupied or
available for occupancy by residents represented by such LTO(s) or an annual
total of $500.00 prorated among all such LTO(s), whichever is more. The LHA
shall disburse such funds to an LTO pursuant to an approved budget, which
provides that funds will be used only for the LTO's ordinary and necessary
business expenses and authorized activities (excluding social activities) with
respect to state aided housing programs. The LTO shall not make any expenditure
of funds received from the LHA except in accordance with such a budget approved
by the LHA which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The LTO must
submit a financial statement to the LHA at the end of the LHA's fiscal year,
accounting for all LTO income from the state aided housing portfolio and all
expenditures of such funds in accordance with their approved budget. The next
year's LTO funding will not be awarded until such statement has been reviewed
and approved by the LHA.
If the LTOs have formed an Umbrella Tenant Organization
consisting of delegates from LTOs, the LTOs shall reach an agreement among
themselves on how to fund the Umbrella Tenant Organization from their own
budgets. No separate additional funds will be granted by the LHA to Umbrella
Tenant Organizations.
(d)
Office Space. Upon request, an LHA, without charge,
shall provide an LTO with a reasonable amount of space suitable for use as an
office, which in the LHA's discretion may be shared, if suitable space at the
LHA shall be available for such purposes or can reasonably be made available
for such purposes without significant cost or inconvenience to the LHA so long
as the space is used by the LTO solely for purposes of such representation and
is maintained by the LTO in a clean and safe condition and so long as the LTO's
need for the space continues and the space is not reasonably necessary for the
LHA's other needs.
(e)
Telephone Service. Upon presentation of the monthly
statement, the LHA shall reimburse an LTO for the minimum cost of basic in
state telephone service so long as the telephone service has been used solely
for in state calls concerning representation of Residents in state-aided public
housing and for no other purpose, and so long as the LTO's need for in state
telephone service continues and is adequately documented when the LHA so
requests.
(f)
Meeting
Space. Whenever possible, the LHA shall make community space or
other appropriate space available for LTO meetings. The LHA and LTO shall
cooperate in securing meeting space and in scheduling so that LTO meetings may
be held at places and times convenient for the Residents.
(g)
Consultation between LHA and
LTO in Certain Matters. Whenever an LHA proposes to adopt or amend
a rule or policy which will affect the rights, status, duties or welfare of
Residents or to request a waiver of regulatory requirements affecting such
rights, status, duties or welfare, the LHA shall first seek the LTO's advice
and include the proposal as an agenda item for discussion at a meeting between
the LHA and LTO as provided in
760
CMR 6.09(3)(a). The LTO
shall also be given reasonable opportunity to appear and make known to the LHA
Board any objection to such a rule or policy at an LHA Board meeting. The Board
shall consider each such objection before taking any action on the item.
(h)
Consultation
between LHA and LTO regarding the LHA's Annual Plan. The LHA shall
review a draft of its Annual Plan with the LTO at a quarterly meeting before
the LHA presents its Annual Plan to the Board. At least 30 business days before
the public hearing on the Annual Plan required by
760
CMR 4.16(6), the LHA will
post on its website and make available to each LTO a copy of each of the
elements of the Plan including, but not limited to, the Capital Improvement
Plan (CIP), the Maintenance and Repair Plan, the Operating Budget, and the
Narrative. The LTO shall be given reasonable opportunity to appear at the
public hearing and make oral comments to the LHA Board about any opinions or
objections it may have regarding the Plan. The LHA shall also accept written or
emailed comments from the LTO at least through the date of the public hearing
or later as specified by the LHA. The LHA shall consider the LTO's concerns
regarding needs and priorities and incorporate some or all of such needs and
priorities in the draft plan if deemed by the LHA to be consistent with sound
management and shall certify in writing to EOHLC that it has complied with the
Tenant participation requirements. The LHA shall draft a written summary of all
substantive comments received from the LTO and its response to those comments
and shall attach this summary to its Annual Plan submitted to EOHLC. If there
is no summary of LTO comments attached to the Plan, the LHA shall include a
statement of reasons for the omission.
(i)
Consultation between LHA and
LTO regarding the LHA's Modernization Program. The LHA shall
consult with the LTO regarding the projects and initiatives outlined below:
1. All needs and priorities that are
identified by the LTO to be considered by the LHA for inclusion in the
CIP;
2. Any planned or ongoing
capital projects, including status, schedule, budget and expenditures of such
projects, and such consultation shall occur at least quarterly, between CIP
submissions;
3. Any planned
applications for, or awards from, any special capital funding programs or
initiatives;
4. Any plans by the
LHA to seek to become an HHA for a CA Team, or to request a waiver from
participating in the Capital Assistance Program established pursuant to
760
CMR 11.08: Capital Assistance
Program;
5. Large
Projects, as defined in
760
CMR 11.01(4), that will
require relocation, unit reconfiguration, demolition or new construction. For
these projects, the LHA shall invite an LTO representative to participate in
the interview of the finalist(s) for designer and to the schematic design
review meeting. Prior to bidding, the designer and the LHA shall solicit and
review comments from the LTO on the proposed modernization improvements and
incorporate these comments in the bidding documents if deemed appropriate by
the LHA. Following award of the construction contract, the LHA shall:
a. inform each affected LTO of the award, the
construction contract, and the proposed construction schedule,
b. inform each affected LTO that the material
documents relating to the modernization project are available in the LHA's
office for inspection,
c. invite an
LTO representative to attend pre construction conferences, and
d. invite no more than two LTO
representatives to attend and observe any regularly scheduled job
meeting.
(j)
Resident Advisory Boards. LTOs may designate any of
their members or officers to sit on a Resident Advisory Board to participate in
any of the matters upon which LTO participation is required under
760
CMR 6.09. Where there is no LTO, the LHA may
appoint individual Residents who agree to participate as volunteers.
(k)
Approval by
EOHLC. Promptly after the LHA Board's vote on a rule or policy, a
request for waiver, an Annual Plan, a Capital Improvement Plan, or a budget
request, for which approval by EOHLC is necessary, an LTO may communicate an
objection or concern to EOHOLC in writing, with a copy to the LHA, and EOHLC
shall consider such objection or concern in determining its action on the
matter.
(l)
Posting of
Rules and Regulations. The LHA shall post and shall keep posted in
a conspicuous place in its central office and, if practical, in each
Development, all rules and policies of the LHA and the regulations of EOHLC
which affect the rights, status, duties or welfare of Tenants and their
Households. If postings are repeatedly removed, destroyed or defaced, the LHA
shall take reasonable alternative measures to make the material conveniently
available to Tenants. Absence of a posting shall not affect the validity or
applicability of rules, policies or regulations. Upon request, a Tenant shall,
without charge, be provided with one copy of an applicable rule, policy or
regulation; the LHA may charge a reasonable fee for providing a duplicate copy
or copies to the Tenant.
(m)
Preference for Tenants in LHA Hiring. The LHA shall
notify all LTOs whenever a job at the LHA becomes available to outside
candidates and is not covered by an applicable internal promotion policy. All
such jobs shall also be posted in the LHA's central office. The fact that a
candidate is a Tenant or Household Member is a factor to be considered by the
LHA in the candidate's favor.
(n)
LTO Participation in Hiring. Prior to filling a
position (including promotions pursuant to an applicable internal promotion
policy) in which the employee to be hired will have direct dealings with the
Residents, the Executive Director (or the LHA where the employee to be hired is
the Executive Director) shall afford each LTO the opportunity to examine
resumes of all candidates, to express the LTO's objective view of the
qualifications of some or all of the candidates, to recommend one or more of
these candidates to be interviewed, to participate in interviews of the
candidates who are interviewed, and to make a recommendation about which
candidate should be hired. In the event that the Executive Director or the LHA
shall choose to conduct a preliminary screening of the resumes of candidates,
the LTO(s) shall not have the opportunity to examine resumes of candidates
eliminated by such preliminary screening. Without a prior written agreement
detailing the specific procedures to be followed, the LTO shall not check a
candidate's references, either commercial or personal, contact his or her
employers, past or present, independently arrange for an interview of a
candidate, or conduct activities which infringe on the candidate's
privacy.
(o)
LHA Board
Meetings. When the LHA posts notice of Board meetings pursuant to
the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A, § 20, it shall simultaneously provide
each LTO with notice of all regular and special LHA Board meetings and a copy
of the agenda for each such meeting. The agenda for every meeting of the LHA
shall provide a reasonable opportunity for the LTO(s) to be heard on agenda
items so long as the agenda items directly bear on common rights, duties or
interests of Tenants and/or Household Members and are not subject to the
Grievance procedures established pursuant to
760
CMR 6.08. After each LHA Board Meeting at
which the minutes of a prior meeting have been approved, the LHA shall promptly
provide copies of the approved minutes to the LTO.
(4)
Additional Resident
Participation.
(a)
Subject Matter. In addition to the opportunity for
Residents to participate through LTOs, the LHA shall provide all affected
Residents, whether or not represented by an LTO, with notice and an opportunity
to comment on matters generally involving their rights, status, duties or
welfare. Such matters shall include, but not be limited to:
1. the adoption, amendment or repeal of rules
or policies regarding the terms of occupancy or use of the
Development;
2. requests for
waivers of regulations;
3. proposed
modernization projects undertaken pursuant to 760 CMR 11.00:
Modernization and Development of State aided Public Housing,
and;
4. development of the LHA's
Annual Plan in accordance with
760
CMR 4.16: LHA Annual
Plans.
(b)
Notice and Comments. Unless other applicable notice
requirements are specified elsewhere in EOHLC regulations, notice to Residents
under
760
CMR 6.09(4) shall be
sufficient if given at least seven calendar days before the event and posted on
the LHA's website, in prominent locations in Development lobbies or community
centers or rooms, and in the LHA's office(s). More notice, including notices
delivered by mail, flyers or email, is encouraged. The LHA's notices shall
inform Residents of the items upon which their comments are sought, how to
obtain documents that provide details about those items, and how Resident
comments will be accepted by the LHA. Notice of meetings to accept oral
comments from Residents will specify the time, date and location of the
meetings.
(c)
LHA Board
Meetings. Residents shall be given notice of all meetings of the
LHA Board or substantially equivalent LHA bodies at the same time as notice is
required to be given by
760
CMR 6.09(3)(o) and in the
manner described in
760
CMR 6.09(4)(b). The agenda
for every meeting of the LHA shall provide a reasonable opportunity for
Residents to be heard on agenda items so long as the agenda items directly bear
on common rights, duties or interests of Tenants and/or Household Members and
not on grievable matters regarding individual Tenants. Matters concerning
individual Tenants must follow the LHA's Grievance Procedure established
pursuant to
760
CMR 6.08.
(d)
Resident Preference in
Hiring. The LHA shall give notice to Residents and to all LTOs
whenever a job at the LHA not covered by an applicable internal promotion
policy becomes available to outside candidates. All such jobs shall also be
posted in the LHA's central office, on the LHA's website, and in each
Development's community space. The fact that a job candidate is a Resident is a
factor to be considered by the LHA in the candidate's favor. In the event that
two or more candidates are otherwise equally qualified but one is a Tenant or
Household Member, that fact shall entitle the candidate to be considered more
qualified than any otherwise equally qualified candidate who is not a Tenant or
a Household Member. This preference shall not apply if the effect of applying
the preference would be to exacerbate a significant underrepresentation of
minorities in the LHA's workforce.
(e)
Resident Participation Where
There Is No LTO. The LHA shall allow Resident participation
consistent with good business practices on matters directly affecting Residents
where there is no LTO. Such Resident participation shall include, but not be
limited to, reasonable participation of Residents in modernization projects
similar to that afforded LTOs in
760
CMR 6.09(3)(a). To fulfill
its obligations under this section, LHAs shall solicit volunteers to serve as
representatives from among interested Residents including members of Resident
Associations that are not LTOs.
(f)
Approval by EOHLC. Promptly after the Board's vote on
a rule or policy, a request for waiver, an Annual Plan, a Capital Improvement
Plan, or a budget request, for which approval by EOHLC is necessary, Residents
may communicate an objection or concern to EOHLC in writing, with a copy to the
LHA, and EOHLC shall consider such objection or concern in determining its
action on the matter.