The SERCulator by Douglas Freeman

S p r i n g

2 0 1 8

SERCulator Southeastern Regional Council of Housing and CD Professionals National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials

One Particular Auction Cover:auction bid item provided by quilt designer Linda Rutherford, South Charleston, WV, see p26

Spring 2018

EDITORIAL STAFF

Managing Editor/Photography Paula Robertson, PR Designs Contributing Editors Alabama................... Beverly Barber Florida ............................Lisa Landers Georgia........... Reta Thomas (chair) ........................................ Ella Murphy Kentucky.......Robin Weeldon-Hoots Mississippi.....................Rita McKissick .........................................Vickie Cole North Carolina............ Anna McRae South Carolina........... Pancea Lewis West Virginia........... Sharon Harmon

SERC REGION: Alabama Florida Georgia Kentucky Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

On the cover:

Linda Rutherford is a resident of Parkland Terrace at South Charleston Housing Authority, West Virginia. A long time quilt maker, Lindaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quilt ministry began 10 years ago when her church began sending quilts to babies in NIC units at a local hospital. She also participates in making quilts for veterans with the WV Quilts of Valor.

TABLE of CONTENTS: Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s message............................................................3 SERC 2017-2019 officers.......................................................4 SERC 2017-2019 chairpersons ............................................5 SERC 2017-2019 comittees.............................................. 6-7 SERC committee meeting...................................................7

The SERCulator is the official publication of the Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. The SERCulator is published quarterly. Comments, suggestions, articles, features and photographs are solicited in interest of the members of Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. Although all submissions are subject to approval and editing, every effort will be made to publish submissions based on available space. Photos cannot be returned. Send submissions to: Paula Robertson, 662-268-8402, email: pauladesigns22@gmail. com or Reta Thomas, email: rthomas@augustapha.org

SERC executive committee meeting............................ 8-9 State news.................................................................... 10-18 SERC spring workshop.................................................. 19-22 Legislative update.............................................................24 SERC scholarship auction..................................................26 History of SERC....................................................................27 SERC golf tournament.......................................................28 SERC cares..........................................................................29 HUD news............................................................................31 SERCulator ad insertion information................................34 Upcoming events...............................................................36

The SERCulator 2

A message from your SERC President I hope you can all attend the SERC Annual Conference in Norfolk next month. The agenda is fantastic and will certainly be one that is detailed to meet the educational needs of everyone. Whether it is accounting, commissioners, RAD or redevelopment, you will find interesting and timely topics that could be essential to the growth of your agencies. And as always, you can depend on plenty of SERC hospitality! Thanks for all that you do for SERC and your individual communities!

Dear Serc Colleagues:

I hope all of you have enjoyed this spring and are ready for a great long summer. I know that I am. So far, this year has certainly been exciting. The wonderful news regarding the funding levels provided by the recently passed omnibus bill certainly sets a good tone to begin this year’s work. However, it is Sean Gilbert SERC-NAHRO PRESIDENT already time to reach out to your legislators and thank them for this year’s funding levels, and also to remind them to continue the Sean Gilbert, SERC president current funding levels into the future. We are certainly keeping our eyes on the possibility of rent reform and work requirements that are being Below: Please note speakers and topics that are tentatively on the Conference agenda. discussed in Washington, and will continue to advocate for the needs of our member agencies as the process unfolds. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate one of our SERC leaders on a recent remarkable achievement. Michael Sweet, from Alabama, was recently awarded the NAHRO Mary K. Nenno Award for excellence in legislative advocacy. Mike has done a fantastic job for SERC as legislative chairperson, and the award couldn’t have gone to a more worthy candidate. CONGRATULATIONS, Mike!

SERC Officers l 2017-2019 PRESIDENT Sean Gilbert Knoxville Community Development Corp. 901 N Broadway Street Knoxville, TN 37917 Phone:(865) 403-1209 Fax:(865) 594-0266 sgilbert@kcdc.org SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Mark Taylor Charleston Housing Authority PO Box 86 Charleston, WV 25321 Phone:(304) 348-6451 Fax:(304) 348-6455 mtaylor@charlestonhousing.com SECRETARY Shaundra Clark Tifton Housing Authority PO Box 12 Tifton, GA 31794 Phone: (229) 382-5434 Fax: (229) 382-1327 thasclark@bellsouth.net TREASURER Anthony Goodson, Jr. Housing Authority of the City of Goldsboro 700 N. Jefferson Ave Goldsboro, NC 27530 Phone: (919) 735-4226 Fax: (919) 731-4402 agoodson@hacg.org VP OF HOUSING

Michael Wong Harrisonburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority

PO Box 1071 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Phone: (540) 434-7386 Fax: (540) 432-1113 wongway@harrisonburgrha.com VP OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Cindy Preast Harrington Bluefield Housing Authority PO Box 1475 Bluefield, WV 24701 Phone: (304) 325-9653 Fax: (304) 325-9539 cindybha@comcast.net VP OF MEMBER SERVICES Jan Piersol Newberry Housing Authority P.O. Drawer 737 Newberry, SC 29108 Ph: 803-276-1049 Fax: (919) 731-4402 jan_piersol@yahoo.com VP of CR&D Stephen Burchett Housing Authority of Morristown

PO Box 497 Morristown, TN 37815 Ph: 423-586-5115X8005 Fax: (540) 432-1113 sburchett@morristownpha.org VP OF COMMISSIONERS Henrietta Snipes Opelika Housing Authority 1706 Toomer Street Opelika, AL Ph: 334-745-4171 Fax: (334) 382-1327 hsnipesoha@aol.com

Sean Gilbert is the senior vice president of housing for the Knoxville Community Development Corporation in Knoxville, TN where he has been for the past two years. Sean has his bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech. He was the executive director of Housing Authority of Pikeville, August 1995–February 2014. Sean serves as the president for SERC. Mark E. Taylor is the CEO of the Charleston-Kenawha Housing Authority. He has over 18 years’ experience in public housing and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Mark is a district two board member for WVAHA. He is senior vice president for SERC and the past treasurer and past vice president for housing and for CR&D. Shaundra Clark of Tifton, GA is the current secretary for SERC. Shaundra serves as executive director at the Tifton, GA housing authority and has over 23 years’ experience in public housing. She holds a business administration degree as well as a master’s in public policy and administration. Shaundra is chairperson of the convention committee and past president for GAHRA, and has served on numerous SERC committees in the past. Anthony Goodson, Jr is the chief executive officer of the Housing Authority of the city of Goldsboro in Goldsboro, NC. He has approximately 12 years’ service in public housing and serves as the board secretary for CCHRCO. Anthony is treasurer for SERC and serves as a member of the 40 under 40 committee, the rental assistance committee and vice president of member services. Michael Wong is the executive director of the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority. He has 17 years’ service in public housing and is past president of VAHCDO. Michael serves as vice president of housing for SERC and as a member of the legislative committee. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from James Madison University. Cindy Peast Harrington is the executive director of Bluefield Housing Authority in Bluefield, WV. Cindy has over 31 years of experience working with public housing agencies, with the last 26 serving in the position of Executive Director at Bluefield. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Marshall University and master’s degree from Mountain State University. She has served as board member, secretary, vice president and president of the West Virginia Association of Housing Agencies. She is currently the vice president for professional development, and has also served on several other SERC committees. She served as program chairperson for the 2015 and 2017 Annual Conference. Jan B. Piersol of Newberry, SC will be serving as vice president of member services. She is the executive director of the Housing Authority of the city of Newberry with 34 years of experience in the housing industry. She holds a business administration degree. She is past president of CCHRCO and has served on numerous committees for CCHRCO and SERC. Stephen Burchett is the finance director for the Morristown Housing Authority in Morristown, TN. He has twenty-five years’ service in public and assisted housing. Stephen has his bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Morehead State University. Stephen serves as vice president of CR&D for SERC. Henrietta Snipes is a commissioner for the Opelika Housing Authority, Opelika, Alabama. She has been a commissioner for 21 years where she has served as chairperson for NAHRO’s commissioner’s committee. She has worked with the professional development sub-committee, served as track chairperson and is a NAHRO trainer and mentor for commissioners. In addition Henrietta was the Alabama Association of Housing and Redevelopment Association’s 2015 Commissioner of the Year. She has certifications in all courses that are offered by NAHRO for commissioners. Henrietta’s post- secondary education is from Southern Union College, Auburn University and Point University.

SERC Committee l Chairs l 2017-2019 Executive Committee STEERING COMMITTEE

President Sr. VP Secretary Treasurer VP Commissioners VP Professional Development VP CR&D VP Member Services VP Housing

Sean Gilbert Mark Taylor Shaundra Clark Anthony Goodson Henrietta Snipes Cindy Preast-Harrington Stephen Burchett Jan Piersol Michael Wong

STATE REPRESENTATIVES AL FL GA KY MS NC SC TN VA WV

Dannie Walker Miguell Del Campillo Pat Bennett Vickie Smiley Ginger Ming Burnetta Smith Randy Mathis Paul Dellinger Connie Staudinger Jeff Knight

PAST PRESIDENTS Immediate PP Second PP Third PP

Dave Baldwin Ailrick Young Thomas Rowe

President’s Portfolio

Sean Gilbert

ANNUAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE 2018—Norfolk, VA Conference Chair Program Chairperson Exhibits Chairperson Registration Opening Ceremony Ushers Awards Ceremony Flag Ceremony Golf Tournament 2019—Orlando FL Conference Chair Program Chairperson Exhibits Chairperson Registration Opening Ceremony Ushers Awards Ceremony Flag Ceremony Golf Tournament Hospitality RAD

Emerging Leaders Small Agency Task Force Youth Leadership Development Executive Committee Coordinator Strategic Plan Coordinator

TN WV GA NC AL WV TN SC VA

Sharita Oates (Chair) NC Eliana Jones (Vice Chair) NC Mentors: The NAHRO Fellows Lisa Porter (Chair) VA Tom Wachs, Co-Chair AL Abraham Williams, Co-Chair KY Marilyn Medley TN Joyce Floyd TN

Senior Vice President’s Portfolio Budget Committee BC members: BC members: BC members:

Mark Taylor

Clifton Clark (Chair) WV Courtney Coleman AL Anthony Woods FL All Steering Comm Members

Legislative Committee Mike Sweet (Chair) Policy Advisory Committee Thomas Rowe PA member: Tina Akers-Brown PA member: Austin Simms PA member: Don Cameron PA member: Ailrick Young Nominating Committee Ailrick Young, Chair NC member: Thomas Rowe NC member: Tina Akers-Brown NC member: Austin Simms NC member: Edwina Burnett Intern’l Research & Global Exchange Judy Mellard (Chair) Jake Oglesby, Co-Chair Site Selection Committee Shannon Biggs, Co-Chair

VA MS TN

Secretary’s Portfolio

History/Archival Committee Resolutions

Shannon Biggs (Chair) KY Connie Howard SC Gary Erwin GA Jake Oglesby GA Angie Strickland GA Wanda Stevens-Ruckman VA Charlie Harrinton VA Michael Boatwright GA Charlie Harington VA Tom Wachs AL

Treasurer’s Portfolio

Shaundra Clark

Edwina Burnett Dannie Walker (Chair)

Anthony Goodson

Becky Holmes

VP Housing’s Portfolio

Michael Wong

VP CR&D’s Portfolio

Stephen Burchett

Housing Committee Rental Assistance Committee C R & D Committee

Professional Development (Fall Workshop) Administrative Practice Education and Training

2017-2019 Small Agency Task Force

Ginger Ming (Chair) MS Elizabeth McKinney (Chair) SC Jesse Norwood (Chair) Buddy Oldfield (Chair) GA

Douglas Freeman (Chair) Becky Hartman (Chair)

GA GA

Reta Thomas (Chair) GA Latonia Simmons (Chair) GA Madelyn Dotson, Co-Chair WV Kay Judson, Co-chair MS Don Clemons Ed Johnston

VP Commissioners’ Portfolio

Henrietta Snipes

Commissioners

John Austin (Chair)

Clanton Housing Authority

Ph: 205-755-1801

Richardson, Doris

Evergreen Housing Authority

Ph: 251-578-1488

Rowe, Mollie

Eutaw Housing Authority

PH: 205-372-3926

Reddick, Catherine

Bartow HA

Ph: 863-533-6311

ronmjones@bellsouth.net evhouseauth@bellsouth.net

eutawhau@att.net catherine.bha@comcast.net rblha@windstream.net miboatwright@windstream.net

Bass, Ruth

LaFayette Housing Authority

Ph: 706-638-2733

Boatwright, Michael

Moultrie Housing Authority

Ph: 229-890-5525

Biggs, Shannon

Columbia Housing Authority

Ph: 270-384-2271 x3

Farrer, Bob

West Point Housing Authority

McKissick, Rita

Booneville Housing Authority

Ph: 6 6 2 - 4 9 5 - 2 0 0 8 Bob@westpointhousing.net bha@avsia.com Ph: 662-728-4032

Spencer, Royal Ann

Clarksdale Housing Authority

Ph: 662-624-8030

ras_cha@bellsouth.net

Ellis, Wendy

Farmville Housing Authority

Ph: 252-753-5347

fauthority@embarqmail.com

Fowler, Janice

Greer Housing Authority

PH: 864-877-5471

Burnett, Edwina

York Housing Authority

Ph: 803-684-7359

jfowler@greerha.com eburnett@yorkhousing.net

Miller, Michael

Bolivar Housing Authority

Ph: 731-658-3419

bhahhs@bellsouth.net

Page, Philip

Franklin Housing Authority

757-562-0384

ppage@frhaonline.org

Porter, Lisa (Chair) Stevens-Ruckman, Wanda

Marion Housing Authority Staunton Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Ph: 276-378-7990

Public Affairs/SERCulator Member Services Scholarship Insurance-Housing Benefits Plan Retirement-HART

Jones, Ron

Meredith, Sonia

VP Member Services’ Portfolio Jan Piersol

SERC 2017-2019 Small Agency Task Force (SATF) Committee List

AL AL

VP Professional Development’s Portfolio Cindy Preast-Harrington

Shannon Biggs (Chair) KY Donna Lamer SC Gary Erwin GA Jake Oglesby GA Angie Strickland GA Jeff Rieck KY Kaye Judson MS Michael Boatwright GA Gerald Board KY Tom Wachs AL Jan Piersol (Chair) SC Joyce FLoyd TN James Cox (Co-Chair) NC

AL TN NC KY SC MS MS TN NC KY SC MS GA KY

Mount Hope Housing Authority

Ph: 540-886-3413 Ph: 304-877-6541

houscol@duo-county.com

lisa@marionrha.com wstevens@stauntonrha.org Symeredith14@suddenlinkmail.com

SERC COMMITTEES I MEETING 2017-2019 SERC Committee Members 2015-2017 Committee

Admin Practices Commissioners CR&D Education & Training

Sharon Tolbert

Shannon Young

Henrietta Snipes

Joseph Triolo Anthony Sawyer

*Jesse Norwwod

Donna Gabel

Internat. Research & Global Exchange Legislative Member Services Prof.Development Public Affairs/ SERCulator Rental Assistance Resolutions Scholarship Small Agency Task Force Youth Leadership Development

Patsy Rice

Beth Brown Pete Waldrep

Tim Kitts

Helen Werby Ron Turner

Shaunte Evans Alanda Jackson

Dottie Avery

*Becky Hartman Vonda Gibson Zsa Zsa Heard Patricia Allen Felicia Ashe

Doris Wyatt

Chereka Belton

Tim Kitts

Brian Power Phyllis Hughes Felicia Jackson

Emerging Leaders

Housing

Shauna Boom

Tanya Griffin

History/Archival

*Douglas Freeman Russell Nast J. L. Thompson Charles Alexander

Suzy Oldham John Curlis

Tabitha Smith Angela Childers Ben Washington John W. Bounds *John Austin Jack Windell Johnny Johnson Dr. Dorothy Yarborough Frank Alexander

*Sharita Oates *Eliana Jones Vanessa Dunn

Vickie Lester

Margaret Milam

Harry Howe

Albert Martine LuAnne Bush

Jamie Steen

Richard McClain

Connie Staudinger Karen Wilds

Joyce Wolen Vickie Lester

Anne Burroughs Beverly Gasque Tonya Crowley

Christy Billings Jane Norsworthy Sabrina Woodard

Carol Jones-Gilbert

Wally Board

Patsy Rice

Doug Freeman

Kathylynn Gray

Bob Farrar

*Shaunte Evans Vanessa Dunn

Edwina Burnette Elizabeth McKinney

Jeff Green

Felicia Snow

Philip Groombs Becky Sue Mercer Miguel Del Campillo

Brenda Smith Debi McCade

Shauna Boom Jeff Patrick Vickie Smiley

James Cox

Lisa Bonadio

Tina Akers-Brown

Patrick Prince Tonya Crowley Chuck Walling

Anthony Woods

Ann Dobson Shirley Smith

*Ginger Ming Katina Pace *Judy Mellard Ailrick Young Thomas Coleman

Angela McGill Shaunte Evans

Randy Mathis Ivory Mathews

Sharita Oates Eliana Jones Faith Thompson

Janice Fowler Preston Thomas

Anna McRae

Pancea Lewis

Tina Gray

*Elizabeth McKinney

*Mike Sweet Carlen Williams Quisah Riche Shana Demby

Gail Sansbury

Brian Williams

Beverly Barber

Lisa Landers

Marguerit Austin Karan Potter

LaShanda Lovette

*Dannie Walker Mary Mayrose Beverly Barber Shana Demby

Catherine Reddick

Anita Jenkins Jeff Reick

John W. Bounds *Latonia Simmons Bobbi Jarrett Alan Ingram Joe Thomas Sara Lyons *Buddy Oldfield Jeff Reick Marie Harris Paula Dempsey Patricia Allen Felicia Jackson *Reta Thomas Robin Wheeldon Hoots Rita McKissick Ella Murphy Vicki Cole Brandie Garner Kathylynn Gray Ben Washington Pat Bennett Jason Spencer Vicki Paris

Tooter Castle

Barron Caulfield

Charles Alexander Vickie Paris

Bobbie Jarrett

Alan Ingram *Kaye Judson

Doris Richardson 250 Catherine Reddick Ruth Bass 300 Shannon Biggs 84 Bob Farrer 190 Ron Jones Michael Boatwright 328 Royal Ann Spencer 296 Wendy Ellis 174 Mollie Rowe Rita McKissick 160 *Tom Wachs Danita Wiggins *Abraham Williams Ailrick Young Vanessa Dunn Donald Belle Zsa Zsa Heard Debra Taylor Eliana Jones Courtney Coleman

Donna Lamer

Rosalind McClelland Genelle Alexander Joy Pochis

Keith Viers

Debbie Rogers

Akinola Popoola

Dow Harris

Jamie Steen Connie Howard

Janice Fowler 186 Edwina Burnette 125 Brian Griswell

Stephanie Wright Connie Staudinger

Joyce Wolen

Cindy Thomson Scott Napier Ron Jackson

Clifton Clark Sharon Harmon Tammy Miller

Buford "Booty" Reed Susan Minor Paul Dellinger Stacy Brannen

Ed Ware Michael Wong

Tony Bazzie

Philip Page

Sonia Meredith

Marilyn Medley Joyce Floyd

Charlie Harrington

Cindy Preast

Buford "Booty" Reed

Sharon Harmon Sherrie Samples

Scott Napier Cindy Thomson

Mark Reid Maria Catron

Michael Miller 119

Donna Whitt Carmen Easter Donna Whitt

Ron Jackson

*Madelyn Dotson Carmen Easter

*Lisa Porter 484 Wanda Stevens 384 Philip Page 315 Ralph Stuckey

Sonia Meredith

Tammy Miller

SERC COMMITTEES I Spring Meeting 2018

SERC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE I Spring Meeting 2018

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE I SPECIAL SESSION I Spring Meeting 2018

ALABAMA NEWS AAHRA members proud of award Several AAHRA members gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Legislative Conference. Henrietta Snipes, Michael Sweet, Akinola Papoola, Matthew McClamey, Willie B. McMahand, Jr., Michael Lundy, Dannie Walker and Adrian Peterson-Fields were among the members in attendance. AAHRA commissioners also attended the conference. The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) named Michael Sweet, executive director of Chickasaw Housing Authority, as the recipient of the Mary K Nenno Award during its annual legislative conference. The award recognizes outstanding and innovative achievement in the area of legislative advocacy. A lifetime NAHRO member, Mary Nenno was an extensive traveler, speaker and prolific writer. Her works include both articles for industry publications such as the “Journal of Housing and Community Development” and “Development Law and Outlook,” as well as full-length books such as Housing in Local Government, The Story of Housing and Ending the Stalemate: Moving Housing and Urban Development into the Mainstream of

Michael Gerber, President & CEO–Housing Authority of the City of Austin, TX

America’s Future. The Nenno award is presented in two categories: organizational, which recognizes a NAHRO region, chapter or state association, and Individual, recognizing a NAHRO member or group of members. Awards go to members whose efforts exemplify the highest legal and ethical standards.

Looking for good medical coverage?

Check us out. www.housingbp.com HBP – the SERC and SWRC sponsored self-insured group plan for housing authorities. For benefits and rates for medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages contact: Susan Strange (318) 377-9268 sstrange@oeccwildblue.com 10

CAROLINA NEWS

Greensboro Housing Authority–Greensboro experiences tornado

On Sunday, April 15, intense storms rocked east Greensboro when an EF-2 tornado ripped through 33.6 miles of land, leaving power outages and property damage in its wake. Fortunately for Greensboro Housing Authority (GHA), there was no substantial property damage to any of our twenty communities. However, Claremont Courts, with 250 units and over 714 residents, suffered power outages from Sunday evening until Wednesday, April 18. Many other parts of Greensboro were not as fortunate as Claremont, and just blocks away, homes and three local schools suffered significant damage. The greater Greensboro community has offered much support for those affected. Claremont’s first day without power brought out volunteers and donations of bag lunches and hot food for dinners. The trend continued into the week, with food provided by local churches, citizens, restaurants and one special donor. GHA IT staff provided power banks for residents to charge their mobile phones. Kindness was around every corner, with no shortage of individuals to help lessen the discomfort the residents experienced. Volunteers also delivered food door to door for those who were unable to retrieve their meals. And while GHA was unable to make the power come on any faster, these acts of compassion brought hope and comfort to our communities during an uncertain time. A generous monetary donation allowed the agency to provide dinners to Claremont Courts on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. Overall all, a total of 2,424 meals and 31 bags of groceries were provided for GHA residents. Over 49 staff members and countless community members volunteered their time towards relief efforts and served or delivered food. GHA is exceedingly thankful for the coordinated efforts across Greensboro and all the people who worked to take care of our residents.

Hickory Housing Authority—Hickory Housing Authority teams up with TEEN UP

Volunteers also coordinated activities for children

Food and supplies were delivered to residents who could not get on their own

Volunteers feed Claremont Residents

The Teen UP program provides youth with learning and volunteer opportunities within their communities. Designed to assist youth enhance their employ-ability skills, Teen UP works with local entities to place youth in actual work-force settings. Teens must apply for the program, then be interviewed and accepted at the work place. Once a placement has been made, youth are gifted $8.25 an hour for each hour of volunteer service. Teens earn money to help them and their families, while learning skills to support their future success in the working world. Xserion McCathern works with the Hickory Housing Authority in the maintenance dept. Staff members have described him as a real go-getter who has a positive outlook on life and would one day like to own his own business. With that type of drive and determination, we see Xserion as having a bright future with success in whatever he pursues.

High Point Housing Authority–partners with Women in Motion to empower working women The High Point Housing Authority (HPHA) , and Women in Motion (WIM), an initiative of the High Point Community Foundation, have joined forces to develop partnerships and programs that help working women within the HPHA’s programs. The goal is to help women succeed, both professionally and personally. On April 18, the HPHA’s working women attended a Women in Motion focus group, facilitated by Dr. Haley Figueroa from Gramercy Research Group, to provide their feedback on barriers to reaching their goals and economic independence. “During this second phase of the initiative, hearing the concerns of women is crucial to developing our funding focus. Overall response from the community has been great; however, Angela McGill of HPHA and her staff exceeded our expectations. The event was well attended, well organized, and well received as a needed opportunity for their residents’ voices to be heard,” said WIM leadership committee member Myrna Wigley, financial advisor with Edward Jones. Women from different walks of life with different back-

grounds and expectations attended. All came not knowing what to expect and left with a greater understanding and knowledge that they are not alone in their goals or in the obstacles that they may face. “To help women around the greater High Point community, we need to hear from women in the High Point, Archdale, Trinity, Jamestown and Thomasville areas. The focus groups we’re conducting help us understand some of the challenges and barriers women face on their path to success, but we also learn about what is working for them and the resources they already have. This is vital information, so we know where our efforts will be most useful. We are even finding out how our community of women prioritizes some of these solutions, so our first round of grant-giving can make an immediate impact,” added WIM Leadership Committee member, Dr. Virginia McDermott, interim dean and associate professor at the at The Nido R. Qubein School of Communication.

FLORIDA NEWS FAHRO Caucus on the hill at D.C. conference

FAHRO members listen intently during the Florida caucus in Washington, D.C.

Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers and Seminole County Housing Authority Harry Harvey, vice chair of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, and Vivian Bryant, CEO of the Orlando Housing Authority

Florida visit the Cannon House Office Building.

Pinellas County Housing Authority and St. Petersburg Housing Authority

Miguell del Campillo, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach LEFT: William Russell, executive director of the Sarasota Housing Authority and chairman of FAHRO’s advocacy committee, discusses FAHRO’s rent reform proposal with FAHRO members during the Florida caucus.

Commissioner Jo Ann Nesbitt of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority

William Russell provides testimony during a meeting of the House’s financial services committee.

Tampa Housing Authority and Pinellas County Housing Authority LEFT: Jason Woolwine, professional staff with the Senate’s appropriations subcommittee on transportation, HUD and related agencies, and Scott Keller, FAHRO’s federal government affairs consultant RIGHT: Scott Keller briefs participants of the Florida caucus.

GEORGIA NEWS

GAHRA—What every executive director should know

In March, GAHRA’s management committee held a workshop, “What every executive director should know,” at the Cherokee Community Room of the housing authority of Americus. The workshop was also open to all SERC-NAHRO members. Two members from South Carolina, one from Virginia, and thirty-one from Georgia attended. The trainers were John C. “Cal” Anderson, CEO of Americus Housing Authority; George Edge, CEO designate of Americus Housing Authority; Charity Gilbert, executive director of Royston Housing Authority; and Sandra Strozier, CEO of Newnan Housing Authority. It was a very intense two-day training covering topics including housing authority law, ACC, cooperation agreement, PILOT, the role of the executive director, the role of a commissioner, PHA organization, budgets & subsidy, ACOP, rent calculations, lease, capital fund, agency plan, insurance, CFR, maintenance, personnel & procurement, smoke free housing, executive compensation, community service requirements, and PHAS. At the end of the training, participants completed a brief survey. Over 87% of respondents rated the overall quality of the training as outstanding. One-hundred percent responded that they were satisfied with the topics covered. One attending member described the training as, “Very well organized, ran on time, and all presenters were knowledgeable and approachable. It was informative and provided a setting to learn how other PHAs operate, generating ideas for improvement.” We look forward to providing more top-quality training like this in the future.

GAHRA—2018 scholarship awards The Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (GAHRA) was pleased to recently present $37,500.00 in scholarships to residents of public and assisted housing in the state of Georgia. The awards were made at the scholarship awards luncheon at GAHRA’s Spring Conference held in Macon, Georgia on May 21. Awards were presented in academic and vocational categories to both adult and high school winners. There were a 12 applications submitted for the adult scholarships. The winners will be pursuing careers in nursing, pharmacy, social work, business and cosmetology. Twenty-five applications were received for the high school awards. The winners represented various housing authorities from across the state with connections to three continents and three foreign countries. All exhibited tremendous qualities including outstanding grade point averages, various extra-curricular activities, and working after-school jobs while maintaining excellent academic standing. The first place high school academic winner learned as she was in route to the interviews that she had earned the honor of being salutatorian of her graduating class. Many of the winners are following in the legacy set by their older siblings and were recognized at the awards ceremony. Two previous high school scholarship winners, ADULT – VOCATIONAL $ 1,000.00 Brianna Dixon - Thomaston $ 2,500.00 Gailvonia Weaver - Albany ADULT – ACADEMIC $ 1,000.00 Victoria Dunnavant – Athens $ 1,500.00 Tricia Peters - Winder $ 1,500.00 Ira Pittman – Albany $ 2,000.00 Shaquanah Kendrick – Washington $ 2,500.00 Montressa Johnson - Lavonia HIGH SCHOOL – VOCATIONAL $ 1,500.00 Juliscia Ragland – Northwest Georgia $ 2,000.00 Tyler Jordan – Wet Georgia Consortium

Lulu Atik and Vlad Mandzyuk joined their siblings at the luncheon. Former adult scholarship winner, Chauncey Walker, also attended the luncheon representing the East Point Housing Authority as a member of their Resident Advisory Board. Assisting with the presentation of the awards were current GAHRA President Pat Bennett from Marietta, current SERC President Sean Gilbert representing the Knoxville Community Development Corporation and Michael German, senior management specialist at the Georgia Field Office, U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition to the new scholarships, GAHRA will provide funding in the amount of $ 4,000.00 for commitments relating to previous four-year continuing scholarship awards. The winners were as follows:

HIGH SCHOOL – ACADEMIC $ 1,000.00 Kyiana Swint - Dublin $ 1,000.00 Alan Sepulveda - Gainesville $ 1,000.00 Imani Bostic - Atlanta $ 1,500.00 Zharia Johnson - Bremen $ 1,500.00 Amina Atik - Decatur $ 2,500.00 Donavan Patterson - Eastman $ 2,500.00 Bailey Watts - Tallapoosa $ 1,000.00 Kerrie Harrison - Bowdon (per year for a total of $4,000.00) $ 1,000.00 Ny’Keria Walker - Americus (per year for a total of $4,000.00) $ 5,000.00

Christina Mundzyuk – Conyers

KENTUCKY NEWS

Kentucky Housing Association

2018 POSTER CONTEST Following are the winners from the KHA Poster Contest held at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky in February: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: First Place – Chelsea Nichols, Housing Authority of Floyd County Second Place – Cara Trusty, Housing Authority of Martin Third Place – Brooklynn Collins, Housing Authority of Martin

MIDDLE SCHOOL: First Place – Tiara Kelly, Housing Authority of Catlettsburg Second Place – Jordyn Carothers, Housing Authority of Bowling Green Third Place – Preston Blankenship, Housing Authority of Floyd County

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our winners! These winners will now compete at the SERC Annual Poster Contest. CONGRATULATIONS! Owensboro Housing Authority winner of the SERC’s Newsletter of the Year in the large category. CONGRATULATIONS! Danville Housing Authority, winner of SERC’s Website of the Year in the medium category. 14

MISSISSIPPI NEWS

MAHRO meets with delegates—

During the NAHRO Legislative Conference in April, MAHRO visited with Missisippi’s representatives. As part of NAHRO’s Capitol Hill Day, attendees had the opportunity to refresh their advocacy skills and head to Capitol Hill to educate their members of Congress on the critical role that housing and community development programs play in their districts. MAHRO members in attendance were: John Bounds, Thomas Coleman, Ailrick Young, Robert Finch, Bob Farrar, Jason Spencer, George Carter, JR, Kaye Judson, Judy Mellard, Brian Power, and Ben Washington.

Meeting with Congressman Kelly’s & Senator Cindy Hyde Smith’s staff.

Natchez Housing Authority— Second chance for Adams County youth ages 16 to 24 The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration awarded The Natchez Housing Authority $720,000 for a Youth Build program. Youth Build is a communitybased alternative education program that provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24. Youth learn construction skills while constructing or rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods. Time is split between the construction site and the classroom, where youth earn their high school diploma or equivalency degree, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for college and other post-secondary training opportunities. Youth Build includes significant support systems such as mentoring, followup education, employment, personal counseling services and participation in community service and civic engagement opportunities. There are approximately 210 actively-funded

DOL Youth Build programs at any given time in more than 40 states, serving over 6,000 youth nationally per year. A Youth Build program must contain three basic components: 1) Educational and job training services 2) Leadership training, counseling, and other support activities 3) On-site training through actual housing rehabilitation or construction work

To adequately support and implement these program components and ensure the best possible program outcomes, it is recommended that the following program elements also be in place: • participant outreach, recruitment, and selection plan; job and college placement services; • post-graduation follow-up; accounting, reporting, and program evaluation systems.

Alan Ingram, executive director of Natchez Housing Authority, fully supports the staff in our efforts to secure funding to enhance the quality of life for the citizens in the city of Natchez, especially the residents of public housing. Bridgett Pollard and a distant grant writer realize the need for a program of this magnitude to be funded in the Adams County area. Pollard recognizes the fact that the best way to help our youth is by fully understanding what our youth need in order to succeed. Our increasingly knowledgedriven world dictates that people, especially youth, have the education and skills to thrive in a competitive marketplace and to understand the complexities of the world in which we live. This means that in order to compete and succeed, all young people will need an effective education to prepare them for work and for life.

TENNESSEE NEWS TAHRA well represented at legislative conference A dozen TAHRA staff members and commissioners attended the legislative conference in D.C. The group attended the Tennessee Tuesday breakfast and then met with staff members from Senators Corker’s and Alexander’s staffs. We were asked to provide a list of regulatory reforms we would like to see enacted. Several meetings also took place with legislators from different congressional districts. On the state legislative level, it was a good year for TAHRA. A bill was passed through the legislature that extends government tort liability protections to entities established by PHAs to conduct mixed finance project development. This means the boards of directors of those entities now have the same liability coverage as the boards of commissioners for the PHAs. Thanks to Representative Charles Sargent from Franklin and Senator Paul Bailey from Sparta for sponsoring the bill and helping to work it through the process. TAHRA members also got involved in opposing a bill that would extend application of the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act (URLTA) to all counties regardless of population. The current act only applies to counties with populations over 75,000. While this bill did not pass, it has

been indicated that the bill will come up in future legislative sessions. The bill was supported by the Tennessee Association of Realtors and the Tennessee Apartment Association. Next we will establish a week in the summer as TAHRA Advocacy Week and encourage members to talk with their legislators during that time. A template for PHAs to use as they talk with their legislators will be provided, and we encourage members to take this time to have meetings at their offices to talk about the impact we have in our communities. This is also a good time to talk with them about URLTA and the impact it would have on your PHA if passed. We need to get ahead of this bill before it comes up again. We will also begin working on a bill for the next legislative session regarding extending insurance coverage for all our properties rather than just our public housing properties. This will help to lower the insurance cost those properties now have to pay.

KCDC launches construction on new 80 unit residential community at Five Points affordable housing

Knoxville’s including extensive Community utilities replacement, Development adding or widening Corporation existing streets, and (KCDC), along constructing new with business and sidewalks to improve community leadwalkability and coners and members nectivity of housing of the Five Points From left: John Winemiller, Gloria Garner and Robyn McAdoo, KCDC board of commissioners; KCDC executive director and CEO Ben Bentley; to the community. Representative Rick Staples; Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett; Gwen McKenzie, Finnbar Saunders and Marshall Stair, Knoxville City Council; Knoxville community, “Phase three Mayor Madeline Rogero; Lisa Laugherty, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Katie Moore, Tennessee Housing Development Agency; officially broke of the Five Points Matthew Parkhill, Wells Fargo; David Reynolds, Home Federal Bank; Mike Dooley and Ellen DeVoe, BarberMcMurry Architects; Todd Stiles, Jenkins & Stiles; and Christi Branscom and Orlando Diaz, Partners. ground on Five revitalization conPoints Phase 3, tinues the commuan affordable housing complex to be built at the west cornity’s vision for a vibrant, walkable, livable neighborhood,” ner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and McConnell Street. Rogero said. “The new, attractive housing and community Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, the Department of amenities, such as play areas and green space, will create Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Tennessee Housing a comfortable environment for residents and enhance the Development Agency (THDA), Wells Fargo, Home Federal surrounding neighborhood.” Bank, elected officials, construction partners and stakeholdThe Five Points Master Plan, led by Johnson Architecture, ers joined the celebration for the upcoming 28-building, was developed with years of community input as a guide 80-unit complex. Construction is expected to be completed to replace the outdated Walter P. Taylor Homes and Lee in summer 2019. Williams developments with modern affordable housing “Today is another example of successful collaboration units. Phase one of the Five Points Master Plan was realized among KCDC, HUD, the city of Knoxville and THDA – and last summer when The Residences at Five Points, a threecontinues our commitment to affordable housing in the story, 90-unit complex of housing for seniors and people with Five Points community,” KCDC executive director and CEO disabilities, opened on Bethel Avenue. Also in 2017, KCDC Ben Bentley said. “This ongoing redevelopment has helped broke ground on Five Points Phase 2, an affordable housing transform the fabric of this neighborhood. I look forward to complex under construction on the east side of McConnell welcoming families to their new homes next year.” Street along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. The 10-building, Construction cost is approximately $12.5 million and 84-unit development will be completed this summer. will be funded primarily through low-income housing tax The Five Points Master Plan, to be completed in four phascredits from THDA. Wells Fargo serves as equity partner, and es, builds on previous redevelopment in the area. The plan Home Federal Bank of Tennessee is the mortgage lender. encompasses the removal of 183 units of outdated housing The city of Knoxville has made a major investment in the and construction of 122 units of new affordable housing, area’s revitalization plan. Beginning in 2009, the city comincluding the adaptive reuse of the Eastport School as The mitted $800,000 annually for 10 years to the total master Residences at Eastport senior housing. plan project. An additional $1.55 million was committed in “Five Points is an important, historical community in the city’s 2018 budget, and $3.48 million is planned for 2019. Knoxville,” Bentley said. “We appreciate the hard work and The city’s total investment in the Five Points neighborhood dedication of all of our stakeholders involved in the Five is more than $13 million. These funds are used to upgrade Points Master Plan and especially the residents who are so infrastructure throughout the Five Points development, committed to the renewal of their own neighborhood.”

VIRGINIA NEWS

VAHCDO—Housing day on Capitol Hill

VAHCDO was well represented at the recent legislative conference in Washington, D.C. VAHCDO members had joint meetings with Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. Housing issues and concerns were discussed and the group had a chance to hear what HUD will be funding this year. An excerpt from Senator Warner’s internet posting in May is shared below: Warner & Kaine announce more than $43-million for housing & infrastructure projects across Virginia WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $43,246,753 in federal funding to support affordable housing development across Virginia. The funding, which will go to 26 municipalities across the commonwealth, has been awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Public Housing Capital Fund. “Families all across the commonwealth should have access to safe and affordable housing,” the senators said. “We are pleased that these federal dollars will help support the health and safety of Virginia communities.” President Trump’s FY 2019 budget eliminates funding for the Public Housing Capital Fund. The capital fund provides critical federal dollars to public housing agencies (PHAs) in Virginia for development, financing, and modernization of public housing developments and for management improvements. In March, Senators Warner and Kaine voted in favor of the omnibus bill that provides more than $2.75 billion in funding to the capital fund program.

Featured in the photos are: Michael Wong (Harrisonburg RHA); Elizabeth Webb (Harrisonburg RHA); Lisa Porter (Bristol RHA); Ed Ware (Norfolk RHA); Glenda Goh (Roanoke RHA); and Philip Page (Franklin RHA and VAHCDO president). We also had two residents from Roanoke and Sim Wimbush and Randy Moore from the Virginia Housing Alliance as well as numerous others from non-profits. Members had a joint meeting with staff for Senators Kaine and Warner.

SERC remembers Joey

There is always someone whose smile is so contageous and personality bubbles with his love of life you never forget even if you have only met them one time. Joseph “Joey” Preston Sullenberger - age 53, of Knoxville, passed away on Wednesday, May 30. Joey was a long time city planner with Cauthen and Associates and represented the company in numerous exhibits at SERC conferences. He was an avid Tennessee Volunteers fan. Joey was very active in the Elks Lodge 160, spending many hours serving others. He was a member of Third Creek Baptist Church. Joey was preceded in death by his father, Aaron “Al” Sullenberger. He is survived by his children, Kendall and Natalie Sullenberger; mother, Billie Sullenberger; sisters, Teri Edmonson (Kevin), Cindy Sullenberger; special friend, Susan Lowe Kranz; nephews, Preston and Aaron Edmonson. Left to right: Art Cate, retired executive director, KCDC; Joey Sullenberger, John Cauthen, Cauthen and We will miss you Joey, we know Associates and Sean Gilbert, senior vice president of housing at KCDC. your real journey has just begun.

WEST VIRGINIA NEWS

WVHRA—Meetings on Capitol Hill

Members from West Virginia traveled to Washington D.C. for the 2018 NAHRO Legislative Conference in April. The group met with Congressman McKinley’s office and Senator Joe Manchins’ office. Members on Capitol Hill included left to right: Belinda Harness, Larry Ellis, Jeff Knight, Vickie Lester, Sharon Harmon, Tony Bazzie, Mary Kern and Mark Taylor.

FAIRMONT-MORGANTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY— Historic school renovated to house senior residents

The Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority (FMHA) is now taking applications for Miller School Apartments. This 72,000 square foot building was built in 1914, as the Thomas C. Miller Public School. In 2013, this school was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 2 Pennsylvania Avenue in Fairmont, WV. It is now one of Fairmont’s newest senior living apartment buildings. Miller School Apartments holds 46 affordable apartments for tenants 55 and older. It consists of 26 one bedroom apartments and 20 two bedroom apartments. The project was funded by the use of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Federal Historic Tax Credits and State Historic Tax Credits. The total development cost of this adaptive reuse project is just over eight- million dollars. There are a total of 46 project based vouchers used, whereby qualifying tenants will pay 30% of their adjusted income towards the rent. Each apartment comes with energy efficient appliances, hardwood floors, central air conditioning, window blinds, washer/dryer hook ups and ceiling fans. Community amenities will include a community room, the John M. Martys Auditorium, a fitness/exercise room, secure entrances, elevator, computer center, and on-site management. Many original features were left in the building including chalkboards, bookcases and lockers. Community Services will be available to the tenants in late 2018, including medical services from the local health department, computer classes, knitting classes, transportation coordination and more.

MINGO HOUSING AUTHORITY—Ribbon Cutting for renewed property in Mingo County The Housing Authority of Mingo County held a ribbon cutting for The Island Creek Estates this week marking the end of a five-year project to rebuild public housing in the area. The Julia Apartments, which previously stood on the site in Logan County, had been derelict for around a decade before the project was completed. The complex suffered damage from flooding and the many ravages of abandonment. The project to renew public housing brought 20 new one, two and three bedroom apartments–all of which have already been filled– to the area. The complex also features a community room and laundry center. To complete the project, The Mingo County Housing Authority paired with the Logan County Commission, the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, the Community Works West Virginia and the West Virginia Affordable Housing Trust Fund. At the official opening of the site, Belinda Harness, executive director of the Mingo County Housing Authority explained, “Without the help of our board of directors and the staff at the housing authority, and of course all of our funding sources, this project would

not have been a success. Through these efforts, we were able too remove three buildings that were abandoned and dilapidated and put back these two buildings that can house low-income families.” Harness also noted the project suffered from several setbacks in the beginning saying, “We had a lot of problems with the Department of Highways, and we had a lot problems with some off-site work. Then, problems arose with the water-on site. The Logan County Commission stepped up and helped us fill that gap and coordinate some of those services so the project could still be completed under budget.” Logan County Administrator Rocky Adkins added, “We want to thank the housing authority for having such a competent staff that has chased this project long enough to make it happen. It’s an enduring process. We are so happy this project has turned out as well as it has because it is a beautiful site. Again, there is a critical shortage in our area for good public housing.”

SERC Spring Meetings Changes in Attitudes... Perdido Beach, Alabama

at•ti•tude adəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun1. manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind: a negative attitude; group attitudes. 2. position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action, emotion, etc.: a threatening attitude; a relaxed attitude.

hanging our latitude is much easier than changing our attitude. Our attitude can change with the situations and personalities we face everyday. The mind is the greatest battleground; it’s where conflicts reside and a hard place sometimes to find peace and happiness. Looking out at a beach or other calming place can flip the switch immediately on a hard day at work, personal problems, or simply a stressful drive to the location you are so desperately trying to reach. President Gilbert and the SERC committee thought the BEST way to adjust and help attitudes was to find the BEST latitude for our meeting. Perdido Beach Resort served that purpose! Sharing a beautiful location with colleagues and friends provides energy and provokes thoughts toward positive decision-making in our daily Continued on next page

SERC Spring Meetings

President's Dinner

efforts to accomplish organizational goals. Reports from committee chairpersons were provided to the entire group, keeping everyone informed of the progress and concerns of each committee. SERC executive committee is required to meet, and each of the board members and committee chairpersons delivers updates and progress reports. Continued on next page

SERC Spring Meetings

l General Session/Reception During the meeting, several members took advantage of a round table discussion with Joe Schiff of The Schiff Group. He provided a Washington update on topics surrounding and pertaining to public housing and RAD, and did an excellent job of answering questions and leading the discussion. The planned president’s outdoor barbeque quickly turned into an indoor event. Inclement weather conditions did not stop the group from enjoying a buffet that featured a “pig roast.” This event definitely changed attitudes with everyone enjoying a social time together, and it provided a fun, positive ending to our productive spring meeting.

SERC Spring Meetings

RAD & Washington updates

The Schiff Group provided updates and RAD information for a special session at the spring meeting at Perdido, Alabama. Members were invited to sit in on a roundtable discussion that was standing room only. RAD conversion option were addressed for those considering the change for their agency. The president of The Schiff Group, Joseph G. Schiff, has over 30 years of housing experience. In addition to 14 years as a realtor in Louisville, Mr. Schiff served seven years in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development–three years as the Kentucky field office manager and four years as America’s top public housing official, HUD’s assistant secretary for public and Indian housing. He has an unequaled knowledge of HUD rules and regulations, a national perspective on what is happening in public housing, and a private sector orientation of what’s practical for housing authority management. He has worked with housing authorities of all sizes and from all parts of the country.

LEGISLATIVE l Update An open letter to Congress... What can The Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (SERCNAHRO) is an association of knowledgeable and dedicated housing and community development professionals. Organized over 77 years ago, SERC-NAHRO consists of more than 700 agency members that serve over a half Mike Sweet million low-income households in ten southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee). Through this open letter, SERC-NAHRO seeks renewed support and a commitment by Congress to sufficiently fund HUD programs and/or amend rules and regulations in need of reform. SERC-NAHRO members are unified in their efforts to house America’s poor and we urge Congress to see that these efforts are successful. Throughout the United States, affordable housing agencies have been highly effective in providing critical housing resources through their federally funded Public Housing and Rental Voucher Programs, yet many unmet needs remain. Market demands over the past several years have shifted, causing a decrease in homeowners and an increase in renters, which has resulted in an overall reduction in rental unit availability. HUD’s own recent Report on Worst Case Housing Needs reflects that households meeting worst case criteria have increased by 41% since 2007, with only one in four low-income families with children having access to rental assistance. At the same time, that demand continues to grow for affordable rental housing, and the nation’s stock of public housing units is dwindling. Based on HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) scoring system, 84,000 public housing units are in need of immediate investment to avoid habitability issues. Past failure to re-invest in the aging public housing stock has already resulted in the loss of nearly 100,000 units since 2005. Underfunding of multiple HUD programs over the past decade has resulted in housing authorities being unable to meet the housing requirements of their communities’ families. Unfortunately, this trend will continue with passage of the 2018 T-HUD Appropriations Bill and the president proposes more devastating cuts in his FY 2019 budget. It has become clear that federal funding levels necessary to preserve and operate public housing into the

we do?

foreseeable future will be difficult, if not impossible, to realize or maintain. Programs that were in the not so distant past considered untouchable, such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), are now on the cutting block. Up until now, congressional effort to provide any significant regulatory relief has met with only modest success. If Congress intends to continue down the path of disinvestment in public housing, then bold and swift regulatory reform is imperative. Housing authorities must have more flexibility to sustain operations and preserve housing stock. SERC-NAHRO has established several priorities that are critical to effective future operation of the Public Housing Programs. These priorities are as follows: • Reforms focused on providing flexibility and reducing or eliminating burdensome regulations. • Suitable funding of all Public Housing Programs that will allow housing authorities to satisfy the mission as established by the Department of Housing & Urban Development. • Support and expansion of housing development/redevelopment programs to address the growing need for affordable housing. It is the position of SERC-NAHRO that failure to address these key issues will result in a detrimental decline in our public housing resident’s quality of life and their opportunity to reach self-sufficiency. SERC-NAHRO members understand Congress’ financial concerns and we support efforts to responsibly reduce federal spending. However, we believe that safe, decent and affordable housing is essential to the well-being of all our citizens and that reductions in spending levels should not be directed at vital domestic programs. We urge Congress to do all it can to ensure that housing, one of the most basic and fundamental needs, is available to our nation’s most vulnerable families, including our elderly citizens, disabled citizens and our veterans. Each of the housing programs has unique characteristics and challenges. For this reason, SERC-NAHRO has provided supplemental documents regarding the Public Housing Program, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), and Housing Production Programs. Supplemental documents can be provided upon request at: chick604@bellsouth.net

Free help to quit smoking, HUD rule makes public housing smoke-free by July 31 From outside the region:

In advance of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s smoke-free housing rule requiring all public housing to be smoke-free by July 31, the American Lung Association in Missouri, with support from the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, will offer free smokingcessation support for residents of public housing. Through the Smoking Cessation for Low-Income Housing Residents initiative, the Lung Association will work with public housing agencies and other local partners to provide access to proven-effective tobacco cessation services such as Freedom from Smoking, a program that offers options for people to engage in person, online or on a mobile app. “While we applaud the new smoke-free policy to protect the thousands of Missouri’s public housing residents from secondhand smoke, we also understand that quitting smoking can be difficult for those residents that smoke,” said Plesetta Clayton, the director of Tobacco Control and Lung Health for the American Lung Association, Upper Midwest Region. “We are proud to partner with the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation to provide access to free quitsmoking counseling and support—which is key to helping individuals overcome smoking addiction.” In support of the upcoming smoke-free housing policy, Cheryl Lovell, executive director of the St. Louis Housing Authority, told The American the agency has held town hall meetings, placed advertisements in two local newspapers, held a public hearing on November 30 at its headquarters, and placed notices for a public hearing at its developments, central office and website.

Lovell said the American Lung Association (ALA) has been an integral part of the planning process for implementing the smoke-free policy and for engaging and educating residents about smoking cessation through literature, free programs and other resources. In September and October, ALA provided educational resources for household management classes held at James House, and recruited participants for Freedom from Smoke training designed specifically for public housing developments, she said. Additionally, information on environmental hazards and smoking cessation was distributed at the tenant affairs board meeting for the Kingsbury development. “Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and more than 70 percent of smokers want to quit but just don’t know how to start that process,” said Jay Moore, M.D., chief medical officer, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “We are proud to team with the American Lung Association to offer quit smoking guidance and support, and support our Missouri’s lung health and help prevent tobacco-related illnesses.” Smoking in public housing after July can jeopardize tenant leases. Lovell said the St. Louis Housing Authority will enforce the policy by adding a no-smoking provision to the lease agreement. Lovell said, “The policy states that a violation of the policy is a serious lease violation which may be cause for lease enforcement action up to and including termination of the lease.”

One Particular Harbor

2018 Fall Workshop June 24-27, 2018 New Orleans Marriot

SERC-NAHRO ~ Scholarship Auction 11:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON & AUCTION Monday~June 25th, 2018

Live Auctioneer!

AUCTION ITEMS STILL NEEDED! Money raised will go to the SERC-NAHRO Scholarship Fund for deserving residents to further their education after high school. It’s important that you participate and help make this a successful auction for the SERC-NAHRO Scholarship Fund!

Serc History I Reflections from the past

SERC Cares The Union Ministriesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Norfolk

HUD AWARDS $35 MILLION TO PROMOTE JOBS, SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS WASHINGTON - In an effort to help low-income residents become self-sufficient, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded $34.9 million to public housing authorities, public housing resident associations, Native American tribes, and non-profit organizations across the nation to hire or retain service coordinators to help them find jobs, educational opportunities, and achieve economic and housing independence (see list below). The funding, provided through HUD’s Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency – Service Coordinators Program (ROSSSC, helps grantees hire or retain “service coordinators” who work directly with residents to assess their needs and connect them with education, job training and placement programs, and/or computer and financial literacy services available in their community to promote self-sufficiency. “It’s part of our mission to help connect public housing residents to better, higher paying jobs and critical services as a means of helping them move beyond public assistance and toward self-sufficiency,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “This funding gives our local partners resources they can use to help residents become economically independent and achieve the dreams they have for themselves and their children.” The purpose of HUD’s ROSS-SC program is to encourage innovative and locally driven strategies that link public housing assistance with public and private resources to enable HUD-assisted families to increase earned income; reduce or eliminate their need for welfare assistance; and promote economic independence and housing self-sufficiency. These grants provide funding to hire and retain service coordinators who will assess the needs of residents of conventional public housing or Indian housing and coordinate available resources in the community to meet those needs. In addition, ROSS-SC grants help improve living conditions for seniors, enabling them to age-in-place. Fiscal Year 2017 ROSS-Service Coordinator Grants (chart revised to show only awards to member states) STATE GRANTEE NAME AWARD AMOUNT Florida Sarasota Housing Authority $233,460 Housing Authority of the City of Titusville $208,832 The Housing Authority of the County of Flagler $246,000 The Lee County Housing Authority $246,000 Palatka Housing Authority $246,000 Punta Gorda Housing Authority $240,000 Florida Total: Georgia Thomaston Housing Authority Resident Council Inc. $246,000 Northwest Georgia Housing Authority $230,000 Housing Authority of Newnan $246,000 Georgia Total: Kentucky Bryant Way Resident Council $178,827 Gordon Avenue/Summit View Resident Council $173,021 Louisville Metro Housing Authority $721,800 Housing Authority of Covington $231,000 Housing Authority of Floyd County $179,109 Kentucky Total: Mississippi Laurel Housing Authority Beacon Homes Resident Council LLC $246,000 Arco Lane Site Based Resident Council, LLC $246,000 Mississippi Total: North Carolina Greensboro Housing Authority $230,415 Housing Authority of the City of High Point $492,000 Lenoir Housing Authority $246,000 North Carolina Total: South Carolina Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, SC $384,255 Housing Authority of Greenville $246,000 South Carolina Total: Tennessee Johnson City Public Housing Authority $246,000 Morristown Housing Authority $180,300 Columbia Housing & Redevelopment Authority $246,000 The Crossville Housing Development Corporation $160,722 Tennessee Total Virginia Can I Live, Inc $738,000 Can I Live, Incorporated $202,033 Cardinal Village Tenant Association, Inc. $231,000 Pleasant View Tenant Association, Inc. $231,000 Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority $231,000 Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority $246,000 Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority $176,400 Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority $246,000 Virginia Total: West Virginia Charleston-Kanawha $457,209 The Huntington Housing Authority $190,404 West Virginia Total:

STATE TOTAL

$1,420,292

$722,000

$1,483,757 $492,000

$968,415 $630,255

$833,022

$2,301,433 $647,613

Place Your Business Message in

The SERCulator The official publication of the Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials Circulation: Received by all SERC member agencies, affiliate members, state and federal elected representatives Published: Quarterly Spring 2018 Summer 2018 Fall 2018 Winter 2019

Cost:

May 1, 2018 August 25, 2018 October 25, 2018 January 15, 2019

Four Color Full page $250 1/2 page $175 1/4 page $150

(purchase of all issues = 10% discount) Affiliate members receive a 10% discount off rate per single ad.

Mechanical Dimensions

Width

Heights

Full page 1/2 page 1/4 page

8.25” 8” 3.75”

10.5” 5” 5”

Questions: Contact Paula Robertson at pauladesigns22@gmail.com

2018 Advertising Reservation Yes,

we want our business in The SERCulator, the official publication of the Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. Reserve my space in the following issues(s):

Issue

Ad Size

Spring 2018

Size________

Summer 2018

Size________

Fall 2018

Size________

Winter 2019

Size________

The SERCulator

Contact Name: _________________________________________________ Company Name: _______________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________Fax: ________________________ E-Mail: __________________________________________________________ Artwork: Send camera ready artwork, preferably electronically in jpg format to pauladesigns22@gmail.com To follow

Enclosed

Pick up from

Sent electronically issue

Please send payment to: Becky Holmes, SERC, Inc., 104 Concord Circle, Anderson, SC 29621

S p r i n g

SERCulator

2 0 1 8

postage

Southeastern Regional Council of Housing and CD Professionals National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials

One Particular Auction Cover:auction bid item provided by quilt designer Linda Rutherford, South Charleston, WV, see p26

SERC EVENTS I Around the region 2018 SERCulator Deadlines Spring................ March 15 Summer................. July 15 Fall............. September 15

What’s on the agenda around SERC

Winter........December 15

JULY 2018

GAHRA Commissioner’s Conference—July 17-19 Westin Jekyll Island Hotel – Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island, GA NAHRO Summer Conference —July 26-28 Marriott Marquis Hotel San Francisco, CA

AUGUST 2018

TAHRA Annual Conference—August 11-14 Cool Springs Marriot Franklin, TN

SERCulator Newsletter Copies Each SERC member receives one FREE copy of the SERCulator.

MAHRO Annual Conference—August 15-17 Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel Biloxi, MS

Additional copies: $7.50 each

CCHRCO Annual Conference—August 26-29 Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes Myrtle Beach, SC

Discounted yearly rate: $25.00 subscription

AAHRA Annual Conference—August 27-29 Sheraton BayPoint Panama City, FL

SEPTEMBER 2018

GAHRA Annual Conference—September 16-19 Marriot Savannah Riverfront Hotel Savannah, GA KY Housing Association Annual Conference— September 23-26 Marriot Downtown Hotel Louisville, KY

Please complete and return the subscription form on page 34 of this issue of the SERCulator!

Archive issues for 2016 and 2017 available.