BRHA BEAC What Can We Look Forward To In 2007?
The future looks bright for a productive 2007! One of our primary efforts will be to finalize plans for Sapling Grove Apartments and begin construction. This project is a new way for the housing authority to develop new, affordable housing, and it is a mixed-finance project, combining both public housing and private funding resources. We will also work in 2007 to improve the renovation process in public housing facilities by identifying ways to implement more extensive modernization renovations. Time will be devoted this year toward planning and identifying funding resources in hopes of beginning comprehensive redevelopment of the Mosby Homes site in 2008. We will also continue to focus on ways to help residents find opportunities to become more self-sufficient. In 2007, the BRHA would like to see the Find A Way self-sufficiency program expand from 13 to at least 25 participating families. Find A Way is an excellent opportunity for residents to improve their lives and those of their family. If residents are interested in participating in the Find A Way Program, please contact our self sufficiency coordinator. (Continued on pg 4)
BRHA Stepping Up Measures Against Late Payments The BRHA continues to experience problems with residents not paying their monthly rent on time. As a result, if residents have not paid their rent by the end of the month, they will immediately be issued a detainer warrant for their property. (Continued on pg 3)
First Quarter 2007
N Mission Statement The BRHA will provide safe, attractive, affordable housing and housing assistance, and the opportunity for families and others in need to achieve a higher standard of living.
Reminder “Confidential Hot Spot Cards� are available at the front desk at our office. If you are aware of any drug dealers, drug houses, drug related crimes, other criminal activity, and/or any quality of life issues, please report them on this card. You can make a difference!
Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority • 809 Edmond Street, Bristol, Virginia 24201
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BRHA Newsletter • Jan - April 2007 BRHA Begins Studying Major Renovation Project
At the BRHA, we want all of our residents to feel at home and develop a sense of pride and ownership in their property. As a result, we have plans to perform substantial renovations and add a variety of modern conveniences to all of our residential units. We cannot renovate all to our sites at once. To help us determine the sequenceing of repairs the BRHA has hired an architectural firm to conduct a needs assessment study on all of our facilities. Early indications are that our first efforts will be in Mosby Homes. Due to limited funding from HUD, we are exploring alternative sources of financial support for this major initiative, including the use of tax credits and other government grants to mix with our current funds. Keep in mind that this modernizing all of our untis will take some time; we estimate 8-10 years. However, once it is complete, we know that our residents will have a home they will be proud of.
BRHA Recaps 2006 The year 2006 was a productive year for the BRHA, as we reached many exciting milestones. • We were thrilled to receive low-income housing tax credits for Sapling Grove Apartments. When completed, Sapling Grove will consist of 26 duplex-style units to provide low-income housing for our elderly and handicapped residents. Construction on the apartments is to begin this summer. • We also received approval for three grants from HUD totaling more than $800,000 to fund the YouthBuild and Find A Way programs. • In June, we launched the Find A Way self sufficiency program. In the first six months of the program, we have had 13 families benefit from all that the
program offers. • We partnered with Virginia Intermont College for a neighborhood rehabilitation effort called Impact Virginia. As a result, 18 homes in the neighborhoods surrounding the BRHA received modest repairs. • With the help of a $1.3 million energy performance contract, we made energy conservation improvements to all of our facilities. • We acquired property at 409 West Mary Street, where a single-family home will be constructed and sold to a low-income family. • We maintained public housing occupancy and Section 8 participation above 98% throughout the entire year. • And we were honored to be awarded high performer status under HUD’s public housing assessment system.
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BRHA Newsletter • Jan - April 2007
(Continued from pg 1) BRHA rent payments continue to be due on the first day of each month. After the 10th, a $15 late fee is assessed on remaining balances. When residents receive monthly rent statements, they are responsible to make a payment at First Bank & Trust. Residents who do not receive rent statements need to notify the BRHA by calling the front desk at 642-2001.
Residents need to be aware that the BRHA is strongly considering evicting those who have been issued a second detainer warrant. This policy may be implemented if the trend of late payments continues.
Unfortunately, many residents are only paying the monthly rent requirement of $50 and are accruing significant late fees in the process. In a single year, residents can accrue $180 in late fees if they fail to make all 12 monthly payments on time. And that $180 could have gone to purchase any of the following: - Television - Cell phone - New clothes - Several tanks of gas - Groceries At the BRHA, all residents must be responsible and make their monthly payments on time. The benefits of being responsible renters include: - Boost in self-esteem - Peace of mind knowing the family has a place to live - Confidence in the ability to stick to a budget - Good credit references - Regarded by others as a reliable and trustworthy citizen
BRHA Announces Change in Maintenance Requests The BRHA recently restructured staff members under a new asset management model. As a result, maintenance employees now report directly to property managers, who in turn have a greater responsibility for assuring that our physical facilities are properly maintained.
Residents who have a maintenance request will continue to call the same phone number as before. The number for maintenance rrquests is 276-642-2006.
BRHA Promotions and New Hires Beverly Leppert has been promoted to Management Assistant and will be assisting Diana Farris in the management of Johnson Court, Mosby Homes, Jones Manor and Stant Hall. Becky Whitaker has been hired as the Management Assistant for the Bonham Circle and Rice Terrace areas. Rebecca Clark has been hired as Housing Voucher Coordinator. Rebecca will be assuming the duties of the management of our Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as the Section 8 Program. Lois Bissell has been hired as Receptionist providing front desk support to customers.
Each property manager will have a four-person maintenance crew reporting to her.
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BRHA Newsletter • Jan - April 2007 YouthBuild Bristol Charging Forward in 2007
YouthBuild Bristol, BRHA’s 12-month construction training program, is beginning 2007 in high gear. Three of the program’s 20 clients are currently helping complete renovations on 31 BRHA public housing units.
YouthBuild Highlights •
One student recently received his GED
• Two students received Career Readiness Certifications through the State of Virginia • Three participants recently completed a course on home ownership
After students have earned their GED, they participate in other training courses such as life skills, budgeting, income tax preparation, public speaking, effective communication and etiquette.
• Eight students have earned full-time employment The program has been very successful, with an as a result of the program since fall 2005 attendance rate of 80 percent since July 2006. Currently, • A group of YouthBuild students participated in 38 percent of YouthBuild students have completed the education portion of the program, while 62 percent have leadership development activities with Healing Hands and the Salvation Army fulfilled the on-site construction training component. • J.A. Street & Associates Inc., one of the BRHA’s In addition to accepting applications for the next YouthBuild class, the BRHA is currently scheduling local partners, recently allowed participants to tour a CPR/first-aid training and lead-based paint safety construction site training. To register for these classes or for more information, contact Diana Carter at (276) 821-6256.
(Continued from pg 1) In 2007, the BRHA will implement project-based budgeting in addition to project-based management conversion, with the goal that each of our properties will be self-sustaining.
Finally, we will continue to transition to the HUD mandated asset-management model, and we will continue to look for additional opportunities to develop and sustain affordable housing in Bristol.
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BRHA Newsletter • Jan - April 2007
www.brha.com
.
You are PAID wages and can earn cash
bonuses!!!
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BRHA Newsletter • Jan - April 2007 Find A Way is the BRHA’s voluntary program to help residents achieve their goals of attaining an education, improved employment opportunities, and possible home and car ownership.
Thirteen families are enrolled in the program and are receiving assistance in preparing taxes and learning life-skills training and other important skills.
Find A Way Highlights Success - Four clients have improved their income levels since participating in the program - One family has health benefits for the entire family for the first time ever - One client is working to obtain a bachelor’s degree - One client is working toward a master’s degree
To help participants in the program achieve maximum success, the BRHA has partnered with a number of organizations in the community. The Bristol Family Resource Center is currently offering family parenting classes, and the BRHA serves as an official check-in site for the Move to a Healthier You community health initiative – the result of a partnership with Bristol’s Promise. In the near future, the Find A Way program hopes to secure a financial advisor to assist clients who may need assistance with budgeting and financial planning.
Rehabilitation Work on 31 Units Nears Completion The BRHA is close to wrapping up renovations on 31 apartment units in the Rice Terrace and Johnson Court developments. The project began more than a year ago, and the first group of apartments will be ready for rent in six to eight weeks. Featuring 10 one-bedroom units and 21 twobedroom units, these apartments have received numerous interior and exterior renovations. Future residents in these apartments will benefit from new cabinetry, modern kitchen appliances, new showers, fresh paint, energy-efficient windows, new shingles, as well as heating and plumbing upgrades. New tile was also installed in several units.
These renovations were financed by HUD’s Capital Fund Program. Due to reductions in HUD funding, the BRHA needed to save a significant portion of funds over a four-year period to finance these upgrades. The BRHA is extremely pleased with the progress that has been made with this major project. These units will be leased as they become available over the next 60 days.
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BRHA Newsletter • Jan - April 2007
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BRHA Set to Launch Sapling Grove Project Now that 2007 is in full swing, the BRHA has turned its attention to Sapling Grove, an innovative development that will be the first of its kind for the housing authority.
Sapling Grove will be geared toward the elderly, with units containing universal design features such as wider hallways and door openings. Five units will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including two apartments equipped for the hearing or visually impaired. In addition, each apartment will be Energy Star compliant, meaning that cost efficiency and energy conservation will be at a premium. Although each of these apartments will retain taxcredit status, not all will be government subsidized. In fact, 10 of these units will be public housing units, and 16 will be private affordable .
Located at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Oak View Avenue at the former Rice Terrace Extension site, Sapling Grove will feature 13 new single-story duplex apartment buildings, totaling 26 individual units. These patio-type dwellings will resemble a single-family home and feature brick, stone and hardy-plank siding, making this a unique public housing development.
The BRHA is eagerly anticipating the construction of Sapling Grove, with a goal of incorporating the design principles from this development into future projects.
The BRHA expects to break ground on Sapling Grove in late spring or early summer of 2007, and the first of the units could be ready for occupancy by early 2008. Monthly rent for a one-bedroom, 800-squarefoot unit will be approximately $355. A two-bedroom unit measuring 1,000 square feet will be available for an estimated $420.
Reminder About Steam Heat Radiators Do not leave your windows open in cold weather. The radiators will freeze and burst and the resident will bear the cost of replacement.
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How to reach us: Main Phone: Fax: Email: Web site:
(276) 642-2001 (276) 642-2015 contact@brha.com www.brha.com
Housing Managers: Diana Farris (276) 821-6257 Shiela Wambolt (276) 821-6263 Maintenance
(276) 642-2006
Dates to Remember Board meetings – held the third Tuesday of each month @ 4:30 pm Resident Council meetings SH Second Mon. of the month @ 6pm BRHATC Second Wed of the month @ 5pm Applications for Public Housing are accepted every Tuesday and Thursday Applications for Housing Choice Voucher are accepted every Tuesday The BRHA will be closed for business on Feb. 19 (President’s Day)
Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority 809 Edmond Street Bristol, Virginia 24201