Eviction in affordable housing unit

Gathering the information

by Mark Reaman

The eviction of a single mother and her two children has caused a stir in the north end of the valley. The Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority manages several workforce housing units in the area and took action to remove a family from one of its units in Buckhorn Ranch.

A friend of the woman who was evicted, Tricia Kubisiak, sent letters to the local papers (see page 5) and posted her views on social media. She said that the family admitted they were late with rent payments but when they tried to pay the rent the GVRHA would not accept it.

The woman who was evicted did not respond to an email request for a comment.

GVRHA executive director Jennifer Kermode said on January 24 that while she was aware of the posts on social media, “at this time the GVRHA is not able to comment.”

GVRHA board chairman Carlos Velado said the board was gathering information on the situation but could also not comment in any detail. “The board spent Friday afternoon acquiring information on the recent GVRHA eviction that has been publicized on social media by a local citizen,” he wrote in an email. “The GVRHA held a special meeting Monday morning to discuss and obtain legal advice on how to respond. Out of respect to the privacy of the former tenant and the fact that the eviction is still in the court process the Board of Directors is unable to comment further on the matter until the eviction court proceedings are finalized.”

Velado said the current situation was different from a recent issue in Anthracite Place where a lease was not being renewed. “This particular issue is an eviction, which has to go through the courts,” he explained. “The eviction is still in the court process so I can’t get into specifics until the proceedings are finalized.” A court hearing on the matter is scheduled for February 20.