During the annual lease renewal reviews with each tenant last month, it occurred to me that not all tenants understand the responsibilities of living in Public Housing. Each person, who becomes a tenant in a Public Housing Unit, has responsibilities which the tenant is expected to follow. Examples of these responsibilities are paying your rent on time and providing the housing office with required information, such as monthly paystubs, proof of income, proof of auto insurance, notification of a job change or job termination.

Other responsibilities include:

• maintaining a clean unit,
• advising the housing office of needed repairs,
• being a good neighbor to all other tenants and guests.

Too often we take for granted the opportunities and items we are given. The public housing unit that you live in belongs to the Carroll County Housing Authority. You are just “borrowing” the unit. Therefore, all rules and regulations need to be read, understood, and followed.

The housing authority staff and Board of Directors make up only a part of the Carroll County Housing Authority. You, the tenant, are the most important aspect of why we are all here. Yet as a tenant, you have the responsibility to make your housing authority a place of respect and pride. Make certain you do your part.

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. In a recent national survey, 1 in 10 teens reported being hit or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend at least once in the 12 months prior to the survey. Nearly half of all teens in relationships say they know friends who have been verbally abused.

Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Teens often think some behaviors, like teasing and name calling, are a “normal” part of a relationship. However, these behaviors can become abusive and develop into more serious forms of violence. That is why adults need to talk to teens now about the importance of developing healthy, respectful relationships.

What are the consequences of dating violence? As teens develop emotionally, they are heavily influenced by experiences in their relationships. Healthy relationship behaviors can have a positive effect on a teen’s emotional development. Unhealthy, abusive, or violent relationships can have severe consequences with negative short–term and long–term effects on a developing teen. Youth who experience dating violence are more likely to experience the following:

• Symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Engagement in unhealthy behaviors, such as using tobacco, drugs, and alcohol
• Involvement in antisocial behaviors
• Thoughts about suicide

Additionally, youth who are victims of dating violence in high school are at higher risk for victimization during college.

Abusive relationships have good times and bad times. Part of what makes dating violence so confusing and painful is that there is love mixed with the abuse. This can make it hard to tell if you are really being abused.

Dating violence can be prevented when teens, families, organizations, and communities work together to implement effective prevention strategies. If you think you may in an abusive relationship, please call the Riverview Center hotline at 888-557-0310 (Sexual Assault Hotline) or 815-777-3680 (Domestic Violence Hotline). For any additional information, contact our local Riverview Center office at 815-244-7704.