HHA Rating Factors Narratives 1-5

Houston Housing AuthorityRating Factor Narratives

Introduction

The Houston City Council created the Houston Housing Authority in 1938 in response to federal

legislation (U.S. Housing Act of 1937) and enabling state legislation that charged local entities with providing

decent, safe and sanitary housing for low to moderate income families and individuals. In 1939, the agency

opened its first housing developments and subsequently went through an incredible early growth phase with the

creation of more than 1,500 units in the 40s and 50s. The agency's public housing development slowed during

the 60s, but flourished again with the creation of an additional 1,500 in the 70s and 80s. The agency's Housing

Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as Section 8, was established in 1975. In 1995, the Housing

Authority began operating its homeownership programs. Since 2000, the agency has experienced a resurgence

of affordable housing development activity with the construction of about 2,000 units of quality affordable

housing in recent years.

Today, the Houston Housing Authority is a service-oriented business enterprise serving more than

60,000 people throughout the city of Houston. The agency owns and operates 17 public housing communities,

encompassing almost 3,700 rental units and approximately 200 single family homes. The Houston Housing

Authority also owns two Section 8 new construction properties with 300 units and has partnered on six tax

credit properties providing an additional 1,465 units of affordable housing to the Houston community. The

Housing Authority continues to help many working families realize the dream of owning their own home

through its various homeownership programs. And, the agency assists nearly 15,000 households with rental

housing of their choice in the private market through our voucher program.

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Staff Experience (4 points)

The Houston Housing Authority has a seventy-year track record of successfully administering

housing programs. We are committed to providing low-income and very-low-income residents with affordable

housing. We have served our developments’ residents and the community-at-large by providing affordable

housing and linking them with social services located in the community. We link residents with service

providers so that they can get the resources they need to improve their education, gain employment, move from

subsidized housing and welfare, and achieve economic self-sufficiency and homeownership. Our most

important capital is our committed staff, who are dedicated to their jobs of providing social services for under-

served populations such as our residents. Our staff has recent, relevant, and successful experience necessary to

operate the ROSS- Neighborhood Network program.

PRESIDENT AND CEO – Ernie Etuk

The Houston Housing Authority President and CEO, Mr. Ernie Etuk will provide executive oversight for

the Neighborhood Network program including management to ensure that program goals and objectives are

achieved. Mr. Etuk is more than qualified to rise to the challenge and responsibility associated with that

expected of a Neighborhood Networks President and CEO. Mr. Etuk has been the President and CEO for the

Houston Housing Authority since 1999. He has recent, relevant, and successful experience that will propel him

in meeting the standards set forth in HUD’s Neighborhood Network program announcement.

Under Mr. Etuk’s leadership, the Houston Housing Authority has seen many successes. We have been

the proud recipient of many housing grants. He oversees a budget of more than $165 million annually. In 2006,

we won the Public and Indian Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Grants. In 2004, we won the Service

Coordinator grant. In 2002, we won another Service Coordinator grant. In 2001, we won the ROSS-Family

grant. In 2001 as well, we won the DEG grant, and in 2000, we won another ROSS-Family grant. Mr. Etuk has

relevant experience pertaining to the specific activities being proposed in our application. Mr. Etuk has

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provided executive management for our computer lab. He has ensured that the computer lab remained open and

in operation during normal business hours. The computer center provided residents with the accessible tool to

enhance computer literacy, search for employment, gain experience with computer technology, and increase

personal marketability in the working world. He has ensured that the Housing Authority staff is on-site to

facilitate essential services such as job training, family literacy, credit and homeownership counseling, GED

classes, and a wide range of other life-enhancement activities. Our computer lab has been a valuable resource to

assist our residents with gaining exposure to technology, computer equipment, computer software, and internet

access.

Mr. Etuk is a very distinguished person in our community. He holds numerous high-visibility positions

in many housing oriented organizations. He is one of the founding members of Construction Owners

Association of America. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Council of the Large Public Housing

Authorities, The Public Housing Authority Development Association, and the National Association of Housing

and Redevelopment Officials. He serves on the Houston Apartment Association Board with over 450,000

multifamily units in management. Mr. Etuk holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Texas Southern

University. Mr. Etuk has had successful experience within the last five years. He has had relevant experience to

include executive management of our housing authority computer lab, and he has had successful experience

producing specific accomplishments. Mr. Etuk is more than qualified to serve as the President and CEO for the

Neighborhood Networks program.

PROJECT COORDINATOR (Part-Time) – Cheryl Denise Rivers

Cheryl Denise Rivers will serve as one of our part-time Project Coordinators. She will expend 20

percent of her time on this program. Mrs. Rivers will serve as our coordination expert and will deal mostly with

the coordinating portion of this program. She has recent and relevant experience and education to serve in this

capacity. Mrs. Rivers has over ten years experience in providing program coordination activities. Mrs. Rivers

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has served as the Director of Client Services with the Houston Housing Authority since July of 2007. Her daily

duties entail supervising and directing all training and educational programs for our residents. Mrs. Rivers

embarks on establishing partnerships to enhance our programs and services. Mrs. Rivers performs the daily

management responsibilities of several grants. She develops and monitors the budgets for the programs that she

oversees. Mrs. Rivers supervises nine staff members and assists in the development of housing and economic

programs that promote self-sufficiency.

Previous to working with the Houston Housing Authority, Mrs. Rivers worked with the Julia C.

Hester House as the Executive Director for four years. Mrs. River’s duties included financial management, the

completion of several high-priority reports to governmental agencies, fundraising to support the program’s

sustainment ambitions, maintaining relationships with donors, and coalition building. Her duties while at the

Julia C. Hester House will further equip her to be a greater asset in the role of Project Coordinator.

Previous to working with the Julia C. Hester House, Mrs. Rivers worked for the Interfaith Ministries for

Greater Houston as the Director for Senior Services for three years. Mrs. Rivers managed five programs

consisting of hunger resolution, nutrition provision (Meals on Wheels), case management, volunteerism, and

respite services. Mrs. Rivers either independently or assisted in the annual development of grant proposals

averaging $250,000 as well as attaining governmental contracts exceeding $4.5 million. Mrs. Rivers managed

an annual budget of $4.1 million and provided executive supervision of 89 employees within nine satellite

offices.

Mrs. Rivers has met the two-year minimum requirement to be a Project Coordinator and has the relevant

educational qualifications to successfully perform the duties of a Neighborhood Networks Project Coordinator.

Mrs. Rivers holds a Masters in Public Administration from Texas Southern University in 2003 and a Bachelor’s

of Science degree in Health Care Administration in 1989 from Texas Southern University.

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PROJECT COORDINATOR (Part-Time) – Janet Whorton

Janet Whorton will serve as one of our part-time Project Coordinators. She will expend 20 percent of her

time on this program. Ms. Whorton will serve as our technical expert and will deal mostly with the technical

portion of the administration of this program. Ms. Whorton has recent and relevant experience and education to

serve in this capacity. She has over eight years of experience in providing computer training to our staff and

residents. Ms. Whorton currently serves as our Computer Training Specialist. She has been in that position

since October of 2006. Previous to working with the Houston Housing Authority, Ms. Whorton held a Senior

Computer Trainer position at the Verizon Wireless Company for over five years. Therefore, Ms. Whorton meets

the two- year minimum experience requirement. On a daily basis, Ms. Whorton is charged with the task of

designing appropriate assessment methods for the residents, developing computer training materials, and

computer teaching guides. Ms. Whorton has experience with designing the layout of and the set-up of computer

labs. Ms. Whorton researches outside training resources and encourages partnerships with outside vendors to

develop new training programs for our resident and staff. Ms. Whorton conducts visits to our 22 remote sites to

identify software and business process concerns.

Ms. Whorton is a graduate from the Texas A&M East University, University of Phoenix, and the Ross

Sterling High School. Ms. Whorton has attained the Langevin Certificate for Technical Trainers, the Master

Certificate for Trainers, and the Service Difference Certificate. Ms. Whorton has held distinct awards such as

the Houston Area Women’s Center Volunteer for 1994-2006 and has been a member of the distinguished

American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) from 1984 to date.

ACCOUNTING (FISCAL MATTERS) - Mrs. Chetana V. Chaphekar, C.P.A

Mrs. Chetana V. Chaphekar has served as the Vice President of Fiscal and Business Operations with the

Houston Housing Authority since 2006 and served as the Controller from 1990 to 2005. Mrs. Chaphekar

performs supervisory duties for the finance, and information technology department. For the last 9 Independent

Public Accountant (IPA) audits during Mrs. Chaphekar tenure with the Houston Housing Authority, the

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organization has had no financial management findings. Mrs. Chaphekar has completed the refinancing of two

bond issues, saving over $2 million for the housing authority.

Previous to working with the Houston Housing Authority, Mrs. Chaphekar worked for the Association

for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) as their Chief Financial Officer. During her time at

AAMA, Mrs. Chaphekar assisted the nonprofit agency in achieving financial self-sufficiency and a net surplus

of $1 million within 14 months. Mrs. Chaphekar worked with the Houston Housing Authority, formerly called

the Housing Authority of the City of Houston, as a controller for five years, and worked at the Herman Ray,

CPA, and the Accountant for Bombay Cycle and Motor Agency Ltd for a combination for three years. Mrs.

Chaphekar has the financial fortitude to play her part in the financial monitoring of the Neighborhood Networks

program grant award.

HIRED RESIDENTS-TO BE HIRED (3 points)

The Houston Housing Authority commits to hiring two residents. We will hire two qualified residents.

We will attempt to hire residents who are knowledgeable about computers, computer technology, experienced

in working in a computer lab, and experienced in teaching or tutoring. These skills are not mandatory and will

be superseded by the residents’ need to gain experience in these areas. The overarching goal of hiring the

residents is to give them needed work experience. Therefore, if applicants who want the positions have little or

no work experience, they will be given an equal opportunity to be hired.

We have enclosed a position description that will guide us in recruiting the two hired residents to serve

the objectives of the Neighborhood Networks computer lab. We will advertise for two people to serve in part-

time positions (5 hours per week). We want both persons to assist the Project Coordinators to advertise the

Neighborhood Network program to other residents in the developments, create innovate ideas to attract

residents and volunteers to the program, and create a community service provider list. The hired residents will

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monitor the activity of the computer lab users, create and maintain a sign-in and sign-out roster, and provide

daily maintenance of the computer lab.

Organizational Capacity (3 points)

The Houston Housing Authority in conjunction with our many partners has sufficient qualified

personnel to administer the program efficiently, effectively, and timely. We already have all staff in place to

perform the duties and responsibilities as required by this program. The résumés listing relevant staff

knowledge, skills, and abilities are included in this application package. Our staff is thoroughly familiar with

this program and has valuable experience operating other HUD programs that can and will be applied. Our staff

is aware of the issues of under-served populations. We and our partners have created a comprehensive approach

that identifies resident needs and provide viable solutions. Our President and CEO has extensive experience in

managing a housing authority. Under his leadership, we have won and successfully operated many grants and

have increased the capacity of the Housing Authority. During his tenure, we have increased our community

partners and broadened the scope of social services being provided.

Our Project Coordinators are a valuable asset to the Houston Housing Authority. They understand the

work and intricacies of providing needed services to low-income residents. They understand the benefits of

community partnerships and encourage and maintain those relationships. Mrs. Chaphekar, our Certified Public

Accountant, is well equipped to handle the financial aspect of the Housing Authority. She has maintained stellar

performance in financial areas that has allowed us to remain free of financial material weaknesses.

The Houston Housing Authority has an impressive array of nonprofit partners, community-based

partners, and other organizations that have experience providing community technology and supportive services

to under-served populations. We have the distinct honor of partnering with Energized for Excellence Academy,

Houston Area Urban League, Clayton Homes Resident Council, Kennedy Place Resident Council, Lincoln Park

Resident Council, Dress for Success Houston, Kelly Village Resident Council, Career and Recovery Resources

Inc., Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, Literacy Advance of Houston, and the City of

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Houston Digital Inclusion Initiative, and the Houston Housing Authority along with our partners have the

ability, experience, and expertise to begin the program as soon as we are funded. All proposed staff is already

hired except the part-time residents and the Economic Development Coordinator. All of our partners have

pledged to begin support immediately after grant award. We have included in our grant application all résumés,

position descriptions, match letters, and support letters from our partners to evidence that we have the

community support and that our organization is well equipped to operate a program such as this.

Past Performance of Applicant/ Contract Administrator (5 points)

The Houston Housing Authority has seen many residents benefit from the programs and opportunities

being offered. Some residents have achieved economic self-sufficiency and moved from public housing into

private housing. Other residents have moved into unsubsidized rental housing and others into their own homes.

The Houston Housing Authority offers various classes and workshops at the Neighborhood Resource Center

(NRC). The NRC has classrooms, a conference room, a multi-purpose room, office space, and a computer lab.

The computer lab currently has twelve stations. There is a history of providing quality self-sufficiency

programming. The Houston Housing Authority implemented a Training Institute including a job readiness

course curriculum that expands students’ employability and job search skills, promotes a better understanding

of the employers’ expectations, enhances job retention skills and strengthens resident marketability through

personal attitude and confidence.

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) empowered public housing residents to seek independence

with the establishment of an escrow account or Individual Savings Account. The program has served 56 public

housing residents. A comprehensive case management plan was implemented to support the FSS participants’

progress towards their personal goals and objectives. A total of 104 referrals were provided to assist 15

residents to enroll in job training programs and to 19 other residents who became employed.

The Service Coordinator Grant enhanced the quality of life among elderly and disabled residents at our

Telephone Road development. The Housing Authority’s staff had successes in addressing individual needs,

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establishing linkages to various social services, facilitating educational sessions, and organizing

social/recreational activities while promoting independent living among 200 seniors.

The Authority’s Economic Development Initiatives offers a centralized training and employment center

that links public housing residents to numerous opportunities such as adult literacy, job training, job

preparation/placement, business development and personal development classes. During 2007, the center

served over 100 public housing residents. A total of 38 residents attended GED classes hosted by Houston

Community College, with 35 acquiring their GEDs. In collaboration with Walgreens, 32 residents completed a

Customer Service Training class. Residents attended professional development workshops with Dress for

Success and received business attire. Job preparation workshops were facilitated by the Houston Area Urban

League, Work Source, and Gulf Coast Community Services Association. Based on our records, we have seen

measurable achievements as shown below.

Achievement Number of ResidentsGained Exposure to Computer Technology 202

Gained Employment 935Increased Income 645

Gained Higher Education 66Obtained Referrals for Additional Services 120Voluntarily Moved Out of Public Housing 328

Description of Timely Grant Expenditure throughout the terms of the Past Grants

We have won many HUD and other Federal agency grants and have an exemplary record of grant

expenditure. In 2006, we won the Public Housing Family Self Sufficiency grant for $49,504. In 2002 and 2004,

we won the Public Housing Service Coordinator grants for $170, 132 and $77,616. In 2001, we won the Drug

Elimination Grant for $943,927. In 2001, we won a ROSS grant for $500,000 and in 2000 we another ROSS

grant for $333,333. All grants have met their respective levels of expenditure. We perform timely and regular

draw downs and all funds have been expended for the grants whose grant term has ended. We have further

evidenced this fact by completing the HUD Form 52751 and the HUD Form 52757. Therefore, as evidenced by

past grants, we have the resources, along with our committed partners, to provide computer classes, educational

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training, post-employment training, job training, financial counseling, homeownership counseling, and

educational classes to assist residents to move from welfare to work and move from subsidized housing to

unsubsidized rental housing and homeownership.

Program Administration and Fiscal Management (10 Points).

The project management structure and program accountability will be conducted in a precise and

professional manner. The success of this program is of paramount importance to the Housing Authority. We are

committed to serving the poor, and we are passionate about leading our residents to economic self-sufficiency.

Therefore, we will pursue every available means to ensure that the management and lines of accountability are

clearly drawn, transparent, workable, and successful.

The overarching management of the project will originate with the President and CEO. He will be

responsible for the executive management of financial functions, personnel, partners, and volunteers working in

this program. He will perform the management of all program planning, development, implementation and

evaluation requirements. He will meet with the Planning & Evaluation Committee to ensure that the planning

and evaluation of the program is a success. He will maintain frequent contact with the senior staff of the many

partners to reiterate the mission of the Housing Authority and progressively ask for leveraging assistance to

assist with our sustainment goals. The President and CEO will provide managerial supervision of the Project

Coordinator, Accountant, Partners, Volunteers, and other staff. He will appoint the accountant to review all

invoices, signs all checks, and help in establishing partnerships with other community organizations and

agencies to increase the number of services available. He has the ultimate responsibility for the successful

implementation, operation, and completion of this grant. He will hold semi-annual progress meetings with the

Project Coordinator and Accountant to ensure the successful trajectory of the program. He will ensure that all

program reports and requirements are completed accurately, sent to the regional office, and ensure proper

maintenance of reports at the Housing Authority for easy access.

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The Project Coordinators will report directly to the President and CEO on a weekly, monthly, and on an

as needed basis. They will both work in concert to ensure that the progress of the program is to the correct

guidelines of the program announcement. Both Project Coordinators will be stationed part-time at the computer

lab and will perform direct information technology and project coordination duties. Both Project Coordinators

will have some semi-reflective duties and other independent duties. They will work with the Resident Councils

to ensure that the services being offered under the Neighborhood Network program is reflective of the needs

and wants of the residents. Mrs. Whorton, who is heavily specialized in teaching technology, will be the

authority on the technological part of the program. Mrs. Rivers, who is an authority on project coordination,

will concentrate on the administrative portion of the program. However, both Project Coordinator

responsibilities will include the daily coordination of the program.

Mrs. Rivers will coordinate the activities of advertisement and introduction of the Neighborhood

Network program to the residents and community service providers. She will coordinate the assessment of the

residents’ skills, abilities, and desire to learn computer technology. She will work with the Energized for

Excellence Academy organization to link residents with unmet childcare needs who are attending computer

literacy classes. Mrs. Rivers will identify residents who are in need of professional attire and link them with the

Dress for Success Houston organization. Mrs. Rivers will link residents with the Houston Area Urban League

and Career and Recovery Resources to provide residents with employment opportunities. In addition, she will

nurture relationships with established community partners and pursue new relationships with potential partners.

She will create innovative designs to advertise program to community partners, residents, and volunteers. She

will monitor and strategically place volunteers in needed roles. She will supervise the hired residents.

Mrs. Whorton will create a syllabus for computer classes and match residents with desired classes based

on their skill sets. She will work with Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation to provide computer

literacy classes. She will work with Literacy Advance of Houston to provide long-distance learning

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opportunities for residents. Mrs. Whorton will be the resident Systems Specialist. She will perform

troubleshooting activities for computer issues.

Both Project Coordinators will create HUD reports to satisfy the reporting requirements of the ROSS-

Neighborhood Networks program; they will conduct weekly progress meetings to coordinate the requirements

of the program, and assess status of residents, partners, and volunteers. The hired residents, partners, and

volunteers will report directly to the Project Coordinators.

The Accountant will perform the financial responsibilities of the Housing Authority. Her knowledge and

experience of accounting will foster an attitude of proper accounting practices. She will maintain good record

keeping. She will work with the Project Coordinators and President and CEO to ensure the regular draw down

of grant funds. She will ensure that program funds are expended on the pre-approved budget items; she will

monitor program funds to satisfy the grant financial requirements and advise on prudent and cost effective

program purchases. She will meet with the Project Coordinators on a monthly basis and the President and CEO

on an as needed basis. She will work with the Project Coordinators and report directly to the President and

CEO for this program.

Hired Residents

Residents, partners and volunteers will report directly to the Project Coordinators. The Hired Residents

will perform their duties as outlined in their position description. They will be hired part-time and will work

five hours per week. They will assist both Project Coordinators in marketing the program to residents in the

developments. They will create innovative ideas to advertise the improved computer lab and attract residents to

use the facility. They will assist in the daily set-up and break down of computer equipment before and after

classes. They will monitor users in the computer lab to ensure compliance with the computer lab rules. They

will assist the Project Coordinators to create a comprehensive supportive services community provider list.

They will also create and maintain the sign-in and sign-out computer lab roster.

No Audit Findings

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The Houston Housing Authority has had no financial management findings in the last five years. We are a

standard performing housing authority. One of the qualities of acquiring a standard performing status is to have

good financial management practices. Our last assessment score was 87%. We have had no material

weaknesses; we strive for excellence at the Houston Housing Authority. We are an equal opportunity employer;

we do not discriminate against age, race, gender, education, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or financial

status. We have and will continue to uphold and maintain good business practice standards.

Demonstrated Control of the Proposed Property.

The proposed site for the computer lab will be on the Houston Housing Authority’s premises. It is not

off-site and, therefore, we do not need to provide a lease agreement, ownership documentation, or other

documentation that is so required for other applicants who propose a computer lab that is located off of their

main premises. Our computer lab has been situated within the compounds of the Houston Housing Authority for

many years and will continue be so situated.

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RATING FACTOR 2

(1) Socioeconomic Profile (7 Points)

We will demonstrate that the residents of Houston Housing Authority need the services that the

ROSS-Neighborhood Networks program will provide. We will provide a socioeconomic profile for the

community and also show that the residents in the Houston Housing Authority are reflective of the

profile in the community. Furthermore, the residents are even more disadvantaged and under-served

because their circumstances are concentrated in one housing authority.

The Housing Authority owns and manages approximately 3,643 public housing units with 8,073

residents; of that number, 2,777 are family-occupied and approximately 866 are elderly and disabled

occupied units. We have included both a narrative description and graphs to illustrate the needs of our

residents which correlate with the services being proposed in our application.

The residents in the Houston Housing Authority are faced with many adverse situations. Their

circumstances are extreme and in need of immediate attention. Our residents’ need for help is great.

They are faced with many issues that plague a low-income and under-served population. We have used

data that has been compiled from the United Stated Census Bureau and from our resident files located at

the Housing Authority.

POPULATION: In 2006, the US Census Bureau reported that the City of Houston had a total

population of 2.1 million – 1 million (49 percent) females and 1.1 million (51 percent) males. The median

age was 32.2 years. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of the population was under 18 years and 9 percent (9%)

was 65 years and older. In the Houston Housing Authority, we have 5,063 females and they comprise of 63%

of our population, we also have 3,010 males and they comprise of the remaining 37% of our resident

population. The Houston Housing Authority age distribution is tabled below:

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INCOME: According to the 2006 United States Census Bureau, the median income of

households in the City of Houston was $39,682. Eighty-six percent (86%) of the households received

earnings and 10 percent (10%) received retirement income other than Social Security. Nineteen percent

(19%) of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was

$12,714. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income

from more than one source. The income levels of our residents are even lower than those recorded in the

2000 United States Census Bureau records. The income level of the families or individuals residing in

the Houston Housing Authority’s public housing development presently fall within HUD’s guidelines

for low-income and very-low-income persons. Approximately, 2,810 (87%) of our public housing

families have household incomes of $20,000 or less per year. The average income of our public housing

residents is $11,182.65 per year. Below, we have broken down the amounts for your review.

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Education: In 2006, the United States Census Bureau report stated that twenty-seven percent (27%) of

the City of Houston adults aged greater than 25 years were dropouts. In addition, only twenty-five

percent (25%) of the adults were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school. This

number is drastic and severe and in need of serious resolution. Over fifty percent (50%) of the adult

population in the City of Houston have not obtained a higher education. Also, only 17% have some

college experience, but no degrees and only 5% have obtained an associates degree.

The Educational Attainment of People in Houston City, Texas in 2006:

Graduate or professional degree

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

Some college, no degree

High school diploma or

equivalency

Less than high school diploma

Percent of people 25 years and over

Poverty: In 2006, twenty-one percent (21%) of the residents in the City of Houston lived in poverty.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with

fourteen percent (14%) of people 65 years old and over. Seventeen percent (17%) of all families and

thirty-five percent (35%) of families with a female head of household had no husband present and

incomes below the poverty level. In the Houston Housing Authority, we have 2,584 female head of

households and 688 male head of households. For the average household in public housing with a size of

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2.5 and annual income of $11,183, the average household is at 69% of federal poverty and has an annual

income approximately 31% below the poverty level. This number is reflective of the dismal income

levels of our residents.

Poverty Rates in

Houston City, Texas Related children under 18 years

All families

Female householder families

Percent below poverty level

Ethnicity and Language: According to the US Census Bureau Twenty-eight percent (28%) of the

people living in the City of Houston in 2006 were foreign born. Seventy-two percent (72%) were native

born, including 52 percent who were born in Texas. Among people at least five years old living in

Houston in 2006, forty five percent (45%) spoke a language other than English at home. Of those

speaking a language other than English at home, eighty four percent (84%) spoke Spanish and sixteen

percent (16%) spoke some other language; fifty four percent (54%) reported that they did not speak

English "very well." The Houston Housing Authority has identified many residents who do not speak

English as their primary language; among the languages identified were Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese,

and various African languages.

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*15% Hispanic and 85% Non-Hispanic all races

Demonstrated Link between Proposed Activities and Local Need (8 points)

The Houston Housing Authority is committed even to providing social services to assist our

residents in achieving self-sufficiency. We are faced with the challenge of assisting our residents by

overcoming their needs and providing them with opportunities that will empower them to move out of

public housing and into unsubsidized housing. The Houston Housing Authority staff in collaboration

with our community partners are equipped with the resources we need to revitalize, operate, and sustain

our computer lab.

The needs of our residents are great and have far-reaching influences. Because of our residents’

lack of education, they are designated with a status and standard of living from which it is difficult to

break. Most of our residents do not have a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma.

Almost none of our residents have attended or have graduated from college. The solution to this problem

is to create a resource so that our residents can gain access to educational opportunities. In this

application, we propose to offer many educational classes in our computer lab. The computer lab will be

equipped with modern technology, access to the internet, scheduled GED classes, ESL classes, and long-

distance learning classes. These services will help our residents to overcome illiteracy and put them on

the path to pursue basic education, high school diplomas/GEDs, and/or higher education. Because of

their limited education, our residents often lack the basic minimum requirements to obtain jobs.

Therefore, without proper preparation to obtain jobs, particularly living-wage positions, our residents

continue to perpetuate the cycle of unemployment and poverty. We need the assistance of Neighborhood

Network Program funds to assist us in providing an enhanced computer lab and comprehensive

programming. Our computer lab will offer GED preparation classes, résumé writing classes, access to

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the internet to enhance job searches, job-readiness workshops, workplace etiquette workshops, post

employments assistance, and life skills training. We will offer these and other services that will assist

residents in obtaining jobs, retaining the jobs they currently hold, and obtaining promotional

opportunities.

The cycle of poverty is rampant, especially in these low income communities. The US Census

Bureau reported that 21% of adults living in the City of Houston are living in poverty. The Houston

Housing Authority has more than 80% of its residents living below the poverty level. Eighty-seven

percent (87%) of our residents earn less than $20,000 per year. We need this computer lab to become

operational so that we can provide well needed services to our residents. Each of the services offered is

generated from a comprehensive approach to the overall goals of (1) enhancing the quality of the

families receiving Housing Authority assistance, and (2) providing the tools to help in making that

transition from life-long public housing and in many cases temporary assistance to self-sufficient

careers. The comprehensive program proposed in this application - both in-house and in tandem with a

host of partners – addresses each of the needs directly. All the educational activities seek to increase

scholastic achievement. All of the employment enhancement components are directed at gaining job

skills and securing employment, gaining better jobs, or increasing incomes. The Houston Housing

Authority understands that for us to eradicate the issues with which our residents struggle on a daily

basis, we had to design a program that will counter if most, if not all, of the barriers that the residents

face. With this knowledge in mind, we have created a comprehensive program that can impact all

aspects of our residents’ lives.

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Rating Factor 3: Soundness of Approach

Specific Services and/or Activities (10pts)

The Houston Housing Authority has proposed a program that is comprehensive in scope. We

have worked hard to create access to services that are specific to the needs of our residents. We have

assessed the needs of our residents and the capabilities of our organization and of our partners. We

have planned a logical order of activities that will engender a prosperous and successful program. Our

organization has been building a model program for several years and has put together solid

partnerships, facilities owned and administered by our organization and a comprehensive array of

services targeted to reach all ages and needs of the residents. The ROSS- Neighborhood Networks

grant funding would greatly assist the Authority in bringing our plans to full performance.

Involve Community Partners in the Delivery of Services (4 Points)

We have many community partners and they have committed their organizations to assist us in

delivering services to our residents. Our President and CEO has actively encouraged community

service providers to partner with us in providing needed services for our residents. We currently have

partnerships with the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, Literacy Advance of

Houston, Career and Recovery Resource, Inc., City of Houston’s Digital Inclusion Initiative, Dress

for Success Houston, the Houston Area Urban League, Energized for Excellence Academy Inc., Kelly

Village Resident Council, Clayton Homes Resident Council, Kennedy Place Resident Council, Cuney

Homes Resident Council, the Lincoln Park Resident Council, and several volunteers.

Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation

The Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation recognizes that the use of computer

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technology has become a major requirement in the workplace. They have been actively involved in

assisting the Houston Housing Authority residents meet the employment challenges brought about by

the fast-paced innovations of computer technology. In an effort to assist us in winning this grant, they

have offered a wide variety of services through its mission of direct services to our housing residents.

These services will include job-readiness and job-retention services, life skills training, and

employment opportunities including job-placement. These services will allow our residents to identify

career interests, research career opportunities and job vacancies, create effective résumés, learn to dress

for job interviews and the workplace environment, develop interview techniques and learn to stay on

the job. It is also essential for our residents to utilize life skills training. These trainings will equip them

with new and appropriate coping techniques especially in the working environment and in the housing

development. Residents will improve interviewing skills, learn to self-motivate, increase social skills,

and gain job-readiness skills.

Literacy Advance of Houston

Literacy Advance of Houston is an accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy America and received the

prestigious TAPE Gold Award in Texas Community Partnership from the Texas Association of Partners

in Education. Low literacy is a common thread connecting many social issues such as poverty,

unemployment, homelessness, and crime. Consider that that twenty-seven percent (27%) of the Houston

City adults aged greater that 25 years are dropouts. In addition, only twenty-five percent (25%) of the

adults were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school. Over fifty percent (50%) of

the adult population in the City of Houston has not obtained a higher education. These numbers are

drastic and severe and in need of serious resolution.

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Limited literacy robs the City of Houston of skilled workers because a modern information-

based economy requires high levels of communication. Low literacy is a solvable problem, and this is

why we have partnered with Literacy Advance of Houston. The mission of Literacy Advance of

Houston is to teach adults to read, write, and communicate in English so they can achieve their full

potential as parents, workers, citizens, and community members. Learners who have taken Literacy

Advance classes have gone on to pursue higher education, obtain better jobs, and earn U.S. citizenship.

Literacy Advance offers 4 primary programs: Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second

Language (ESL), Family Literacy, and a “While You’re Waiting” program. Volunteers are the heart of

Literacy Advance. They offer extensive Tutor Training & Enrichment programs to train and equip

volunteers and give them the resources they need to be effective tutors and have a successful volunteer

experience. Literacy Advance of Houston will provide the Houston Housing Authority volunteers with

tutor training and resources to pilot an English literacy program. These tutors will be placed at the

Neighborhood Resource Center to provide our residents with literacy classes, English as a Second

Language classes, and Adult Basic Education classes.

Literacy Advance of Houston also offers distance learning opportunities. Anyone with internet

access can have a connection to a virtual classroom, whether the presentation in that classroom is web-

based text or streaming video, teacher oriented or self-instruction or some combination of all of these.

Internet learning can either replace traditional instruction or supplement it. Either way, there is no

question that it’s a valuable resource. This method of bringing the learning to the learner has many

advantages. For the learner him/herself, it would mean not having to spend time traveling to lessons.

He/she would be free to study at any times that are convenient. And coincident with Literacy Advance’s

program of “Pass it On,” the learning could be extended to family members and acquaintances. In

addition to learning English, the learner would also be getting computer skills and gaining familiarity

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with technology. The learner’s progress would be tracked by the server literacy software. The Houston

Housing Authority would monitor when lessons were taken and whether they were passed.

There are advantages to Literacy Advance and to the Literacy Learning community. This

program will allow us to leverage our abilities beyond the limits of our physical location and reach

people who might otherwise be overlooked and under-served. We could extend assistance

exponentially. Even when used by learners who attend class regularly, this technology would increase

the rate of learning enough to create more vacancies in the classes as learners reach their goals and leave

our classrooms. We would be able to teach more people in less time.

Career and Recovery Resource, Inc.

Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. is a non-profit, United Way agency established in 1945.

Their mission is to help people identify and overcome barriers to employment. They provide a wide

array of services to a diverse population challenged by barriers such as illiteracy, disabilities, and

homelessness, a lack of life skills, substance abuse, and at-risk behavior. The Career and Recovery

Resources’ employment programs help individuals prepare for entry into the job market, identify

employment opportunities, and learn job retention techniques. Career Counseling services offer

educational and vocational guidance. They also offer outpatient substance abuse treatment to adults

which is licensed by the Department of State Health Services and drug education to elementary school

children. Career and Recovery Resources is prepared to actively assist the Houston Housing Authority

by providing employment opportunities such as entry into the job market, assistance with the

identification of employment opportunities, job retention techniques, career counseling services,

educational and vocational guidance.

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City of Houston’s Digital Inclusion Initiative

The City of Houston Digital Inclusion Initiative is deploying an outdoor wireless network that will

help improve government efficiencies and provide internet access and application delivery to citizens

and businesses. The City of Houston Digital Inclusion Initiative project has the potential to significantly

improve the lives of our residents. For those of our residents who have limited time to attend classes or

have family obligations and demands on their time and energy, centers such as Literacy Advance of

Houston are at or near capacity, so even if they can reach us there is often a waiting list to get into a

class. Wireless technology addresses all of these issues and can provide an electronic log, with learning

on one end and a student on the other. A wireless connection can solve problems that no other

technology can.

Energized for Excellence Academy Inc.

We have the distinct opportunity to partner with a distinguished and reputable organization such

as the Energized for Excellence Academy Inc. They have been our partners throughout the years

assisting us to deliver supportive services to our residents. We are grateful that they have offered to

further assist us by offering additional assistance to our residents. The Energized for Excellence

Academy Inc. serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students with an innovative program that

features an accelerated and individualized curriculum focused on real-life learning activities. Teaching

strategies used in the program are based on research findings of best practices for student learning. The

caring environment is designed with a focus on the individual and unique needs of students. Their goal

is to develop an accelerated learning environment that clearly charts a path of empowerment for students

to become tomorrow’s problem solvers, thinkers, and leaders through participation in a wide variety of

educational experiences.

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The Energized for Excellence Academy Inc. has offered to provide complimentary child-care

services for 20 children ages 18-months to 5-years. This service will be extremely valuable as parents

will have the opportunity to utilize the services being offered in the computer center without the burden

of locating childcare services or incurring costs. The Energized for Excellence Academy Inc. has

pledged their services for the three-year term of this grant.

Dress for Success Houston

The Houston Housing Authority is very familiar with Dress for Success Houston (DRSH) and

the exemplary service they provide to the community and our residents. We are proud to have their

partnership on this grant and appreciate their continued support of our organization. Dress for Success

has indicated their desire to serve and provide clothing for under-served groups. They currently serve

130 non-profit sites in the city of Houston. They have served over 19,500 women since 1998. The

mission of Dress for Success Houston is to advance low-income women’s economic and social

development and to encourage self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention.

Dress for Success Houston responds to the needs of our communities by providing programs that help

economically disadvantage women acquire jobs, retain their new positions, and succeed in the

mainstream workplace.

Dress for Success Houston is committed to providing our female residents with a much needed

asset. In today’s working world, a good working wardrobe is essential to making a good impression

during a job interview and also maintaining a professional decorum in the workplace. It is with this

knowledge that the Houston Dress for Success program has extended their services to the Houston

Housing Authority and our female residents. Dress for Success Houston has donated a work suit,

blouse, shoes, nylons, a handbag, and accessories to thirty-two (32) women in our housing

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developments. This donation is much needed. Many people do not enter the working arena or feel the

most embarrassing discomfort because of inappropriate working attire. This contribution will furnish

our residents with business attire, and subsequently will allow our female residents to go to work with

confidence in their work appearance.

Houston Area Urban League

Established in 1910, the Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community based

movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream.

Today, the National Urban League spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. The

mission of the Houston Area Urban League is to enable African Americans and other minorities to

secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. The Houston Area Urban League has been

a voice for disadvantaged people of all races and has a long and distinguished record as an agency that

offers tangible, lasting benefits to all members of the community without regard to age, sex, race,

physical limitations or ethnic background. Local agency directions and policy are set by a 40-member

Board of Directors chaired by Ms. Barbara L. Seymour. Program services are provided by a 50+-

member staff, over 500 volunteers, and an ever-growing membership dedicated to the League.

The Houston Area Urban League offers a wide variety of services and outreach initiatives

fulfilling its mission through direct service delivery in the following: Housing and Social Services,

Education Support Services, Facility Services, Health Initiatives, Workforce Development Services,

Economic Development Services, and Workforce Training Services.

Volunteers

Volunteers are a great human resource for our housing authority. We are an organization that

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http://www.haul.org/workforce_training.htm

http://www.haul.org/economic_development.htm

http://www.haul.org/workforce_development.htm

http://www.haul.org/health.htm

http://www.haul.org/facility.htm

http://www.haul.org/education.htm

http://www.haul.org/housing.htm


has always encouraged volunteerism. We have attracted and obtained the pledge of over five

volunteers. Volunteers will assist us in planning for the Neighborhood Networks program. They will

assist in advertising the program throughout the developments, in monitoring the computer lab, in

encouraging the rules and regulations of the lab, and in recruiting other volunteers.

We are committed to operating the best run computer lab possible. We want to see our

commuter lab developed into a beacon for employment resourcing, educational resourcing, and job

retention resourcing. Our volunteers will assist in our goal of having a computer lab that will stand the

test of time particularly after this three-year grant term is over. Volunteerism is one of the most

important assets that will sustain fluid operation of the computer lab. Therefore, we are happy that we

were able to secure five volunteers to start. We intend on recruiting more people to assist in helping

with the day-to-day tasks of running a computer lab.

Involve Resident Associations and/ or RAB (3 Points)

The Houston Housing Authority knows the value in having the commitment and cooperation of

our Resident Associations. We have proposed to work with our Resident Councils throughout the term

of the Neighborhood Network grant. We have contracted the commitments of:

o The Kelly Village Resident Council

o The Clayton Homes Resident Council

o The Kennedy Place Resident Council

o The Cuney Homes Resident Council

o The Lincoln Park Resident Council

Each Resident Council Association has pledged to assist in a Neighborhood Network Advisory

Council for this program. They will assist in the planning and development of this program. They have

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acquiesced to ensure that the program continues to reflect the needs and interest of the residents. Each

Resident Council Association has pledged to provide outreach, marketing, and referrals to engender

resident participation in the program. They will also assist in the identification of new volunteers to

support the needs of the program. In addition, the continued contribution of the Resident Council

Associations serve to assist us with our sustainment goals of having a fully enhanced and operational

computer lab after the three-year grant term is over.

Offer Comprehensive Services versus a Small Range of Services (8 points)

Our proposed ROSS-Neighborhood Network program has a broad foundation, is

comprehensive and has many partners throughout the community willing and able to provide direct

and ancillary support wherever it is needed. Encouraging and effecting movement of some public

housing families from welfare to work has been attempted many times and places. Previous models

demonstrate that “it takes a village” of many dedicated individuals and agencies to be successful.

We believe we have that kind of broad comprehensive commitment here in Houston.

Our proposed activities are comprehensive in scope. We will offer activities that are logical

and sequential in order, and ultimately move participants along a continuum towards economic self-

sufficiency. First, we have experienced staff members who have worked on comparable programs in

the past. We already have the necessary people on staff to begin the program. We intend to identify

resident needs. We intend to create a more comprehensive list of service providers in the

community. We, in addition to our partners, have committed their organizations to providing needed

assistance to our residents. Our services include program planning, outreach, case management,

updated technology and computers, increased education, basic computer skills training,

educational assistance such as GED classes, employment counseling, employment search, post-

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employment counseling, financial counseling, and child care.

Our narrative will explain the comprehensive and specific services that we will offer. We

will explain how our services will address residents’ needs and also show that our services will

assist the residents to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Outreach

We intend to create a designer outreach plan. We will inform residents about the new and

improved computer lab and the services offered through the program. Residents will have to be

informed of the program in order to take advantage of the resources being offered. We will also

focus on reaching residents who are easily missed through regular outreach methods. We will

target residents with limited mobility, the elderly, and the disabled. Our outreach methodology

will include a door-to-door campaign. We will inform residents about the program during general

meetings and in the community center. We will create informative fliers and pamphlets, and

strategically place them throughout the Housing Authority. We will make sure that they are

accessible to persons in wheelchairs; we will ensure that the information is available to persons

with eye impairments. We will ensure that the information is available to persons with mental and

physical challenges. We will, whenever possible, translate information for those who speak

limited English. We will continuously perform outreach activities through the life cycle of the

grant.

We will embark on these activities by utilizing our program staff, our community providers,

hired residents, and volunteers who have pledge their services to assist us. Both Project

Coordinators will schedule and coordinate the outreach activities. They will ensure that the

appropriate staff and community partners, including volunteers, are effectively utilized to reach

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the greatest number of housing residents.

Needs Assessment

After residents have been informed about the ROSS-Neighborhood Network program and

improved computer lab, and after interested residents have express a willingness to participate in the

program, we will perform the necessary needs assessment. We will interview residents to identify their

needs. We will create a needs assessment file on each resident to document their identified needs.

Both Project Coordinators will coordinate all needs assessment activities. They will work in

coordination with the Resident Council Associations. They will conduct a comprehensive needs

assessment for each resident to determine each resident’s interest, job-readiness, and skills. They

will also perform a needs assessment to determine residents’ need for supportive services such as

childcare, transportation, recreation, and other state funded programs. The Project Coordinators will

also work with the Resident Council Associations to perform needs assessment activities.

Case Management

Both Project Coordinators will provide case management services for our residents.

Respective parties will work with residents who need assistance already identified during the needs

assessment phase. Case Management will include the coordination and referral to:

Educational Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

Transportation options

Child Care Services

Post Employment Assistance

Life-Skills Training

Resident Evaluation and Follow-Up

We have designed a program that will offer services to resolve the needs experienced by our

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residents. Our proposed program involves a comprehensive range of services and activities that are

intended to result in the improved living conditions for our residents. For example, our educational

opportunities are for residents who want to increase their education by becoming literate, gaining their

GEDs, completing high school or pursuing their higher education. Our employment opportunities are

for residents who want to gain employment, or gain better employment such as full time or better

paying jobs. Our child care services are for residents who want to participate in the program but

cannot because of a lack of available childcare options. Our post-employment services are for

residents who want to remain employed, but are facing adverse situations and need assistance. Our

life-skills training classes are for residents who have little or no social or etiquette training. And our

resident evaluation service is designed to ensure that our residents are being linked to the proper

resources.

Resident Evaluation and Follow-Up

To guarantee a successful program, there needs to be an efficient resident evaluation process.

We will monitor the progress of participants and evaluate the overall execution of residents’ referrals

to community service providers. We will utilize a state of the art tracking program that will be

purchased specifically to work in connection with the Neighborhood Networks program. Our

Tracking-at-a-Glance® software will track our residents from recruitment through training,

placement, and retention phases. We will track the progress of our residents even in sub-categories

such as general, social services, education, and employment. We will use it to track the needs

assessment and the satisfaction of needs identified. We will record and store case management notes

and respective resident referrals to community supportive service providers. This system will provide

a daily staff planner, appointment calendar and resident attendance. This system will also record all

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funding sources and service providers’ information. This system is web-based, therefore, all updates

occur in real time. The system offers instant information while avoiding duplication of entries

revealed in real time.

Feasibility and Demonstrable Benefits (5pts)

We have completed our business plan, and our plan proposes a program that is logical,

feasible, and will achieve the stated purpose for the grant. In our business plan, we have outlined time

frames and deadlines for achieving major activities. We will show that our program is ready to be

implemented within the first three months of grant award.

We currently have all professional personnel on staff. However, in the case of the residents

who are not yet hired, we plan to staff that position within the first four weeks of the grant. We have

enclosed the position description and will use that as a guide to staff those positions. Our staff has

experience in performing the duties associated with operating a ROSS-Neighborhood Network

Program. We have proposed activities that are feasible to deliver and are similar in scope to the

services we currently deliver, though only on a smaller scale. We have partners in place to assist us

with the coordination and delivery of the services. These are partners with whom we have worked and

have a history delivering supportive services to our residents and residents in the community. Our

activities are feasible; we have proposed common services that have fully addressed the needs of our

residents. We have also delivered similar services before. However, in this instance we added

resources such as this grant award to help us enhance our endeavors, (SEE HUD-52766).

Budget Appropriateness/ Effective Use of Grant (5 pts)

We have created a budget that speaks to the needs that we have at the Houston Housing

Authority. Our budget is appropriate to the size and activities of the program. Our budgetary request is

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comparable to the local market, and we have only asked for items that will contribute to the ultimate

success of the program.

Houston Housing Authority has asked for funds to pay for a portion of the two part-time Project

Coordinators’ salaries. We have requested monies to pay for the two part-time resident positions. We

have also asked for monies to pay for the ISM Trainer. This contractor has years of experience in

training underserved population computer skills and will deliver other supportive services more

efficiently to the residents. We have requested funds to buy new computers and peripheral equipment.

We have also included a budget for each subcontractor that will receive more than ten percent (10%) of

what we requested. We have also requested administrative fees to pay for office equipment, utilities,

program outreach supplies, and other program related administrative costs. We requested all amounts

while honoring all budget limitations.

Improving the Quality of life in Our Nations Capitol (2pts)

We have indicated in our narrative and business plan that we will offer services that

addresses the needs of our residents. Our services will provide the participants with the resources

that they need to successfully transition from welfare to work and earn higher wages, or help the

elderly and disabled residents to continue to live independently. These services, once delivered and

utilized to their fullest potential, will improve the living conditions of our residents. The service will

allow our residents to successfully gain access to computer technology, educational opportunities,

gain basic computer skills, job-readiness workshops, job-retention workshops, and clothing for job

interviews and work and post-employment workshops.

We will provide outreach activities to inform and educate residents about the program and the

benefits of participating in the program. We will provide needs assessments to record residents’ need

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for supportive services such as childcare and transportation. We will provide access to community

service providers to satisfy resident interests, skills, education, employment, and other state funded

programs. We will provide case management services to refer and link residents with community

service providers that will resolve residents’ needs. We will link residents with service providers in

the community who are offering educational opportunities and employment opportunities. We will

also provide resident evaluation and file follow-up. This will allow us to track each resident’s

progress to ensure they are receiving the appropriate service to satisfy their needs

Providing Full and Equal Access to Grassroots, Faith Based, and other Community Based

Organization (2pts)

The Houston Housing Authority has many community service providers who have committed

themselves to assist with this grant. The Energized for Excellence Academy Inc. is a community-based

service agency. They have committed $374,400.00 to provide complimentary child care services.

Their goal is to develop an accelerated learning environment that clearly charts a path of

empowerment for their students to become tomorrow’s problem solvers, thinkers, and leaders through

participation in a wide variety of educational experiences. The Dress for Success Houston is a non-

profit organization that served over 19,500 women since 1998. They have committed to providing 32

women with work apparel valued at $6,400.00. The Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment

Corporation is a community-based organization; their mission is being a catalyst dedicated to the

collaborative fostering of holistic community development. This organization has a strong history of

providing vital community services such as educational training, GED classes, pre-employment

training and job retention workshops. They have pledged to provide us with $98,928.00 worth of in-

kind services to assist our residents with their services. We have approximately seven volunteers who,

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in combination, have pledged $49,140.00 for the three year term of the grant. They will provide

marketing services to inform the residents about the ROSS- Neighborhood Network program and the

newly improved computer lab. We have also partnered with our many Resident Council Associations

located in our developments. They have pledged to participate in a Neighborhood Networks Advisory

Council to ensure that the program reflects the needs and interest of the residents.

We would like to express our appreciation to our partners for their continued support of the

Houston Housing Authority and their continued desire to provide care for our residents and under-served

residents in the community.

Policy Priority for Increasing the Supply of Affordable Housing through the Removal of Regulatory

Barriers (2pts)

(SEE HUD-27300)

Energy Star (2 Points)

We pledge to provide encouragement to our residents to use Energy Star appliances and adopt an

energy friendly lifestyle during our housing counseling workshops. We will do so by creating

promotional materials to inform our residents about the benefits of using Energy Star products. We will

inform our residents that Energy Star provides:

PEACE OF MIND: Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of

energy-efficient construction. Instead, look for the government-backed ENERGY STAR label to easily

identify homes that are truly energy efficient. Find the house of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind

knowing that it also meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. LOWER OWNERSHIP COST:

Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less energy for

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heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. BETTER

PERFORMANCE: Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better protection against

cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An energy-efficient home help ensure consistent

temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability. SMART

INVESTMENT: To date, close to 3,500 home builders have partnered with the EPA to construct more

than 750,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes. By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR label,

one can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Sixteen percent (16%) of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are

generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. Energy used in our homes often comes from the

burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming.

Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.

Economic Opportunities for Low and Very-Low Income Persons (2pts)

We intend to implement Section 3 requirements if the opportunity arises. We certify that

we will, to the greatest extent feasible, direct training, employment, and other economic opportunities

to the low and very low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government

assistance for housing. We also certify that we will, to the greatest extent feasible, direct training,

employment, and other economic opportunities to business concerns which provide economic

opportunities to low and very low income persons. We will implement Section 3 by hiring our two

part-time residents and also by first offering employment opportunities to qualified low and very low

income people.

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http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=new_homes_partners.showHomesSearch

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.nh_features


Rating Factor 4: Leveraging Resources (10 Points)

FIRM COMMITMENTS - LEVERAGING

This application provides signed letters of firm commitments from partners. Our match is 229%

of what is being requested in this application. All the commitments are germane to the supportive

services program proposed in this grant and support the specific goals and objectives thereof.

SEE MATCH LETTERS ENCLOSED

FIRM COMMITMENTS OF MATCH

Name of Partner Amount of MatchApplicant $43,432.00

Fifth Ward Community Redev. Corp. $98,928.00Dress for Success Houston $6,400.00

Energized for Excellence Academy Inc. $374,400.00Volunteers $49,140.00

Total $572,300.00

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Rating Factor 5: Achieving Results and Program Evaluation (15 points)

Our Business Plan outlines specific goals that indicate the outcomes that have been determined

for this 2007 ROSS Neighborhood Network program at the Houston Housing Authority. The goals are

integrated into the Logic Model. The goals are quantifiable, outcome – oriented and will allow for the

determination that goals have been met. The benchmarks are short- and long-range covering the three

years of the project. They are both outputs and outcomes showing the number of residents being served

as well as measured enhancements in residents’ lives.

MEASURABLE OUTPUTS

In our application, we have placed special emphasis on our Logic Model and Work Plan and

have drawn a feasible numbers oriented plan. We have 8,073 residents in our Public Housing

Developments. We intend to provide a number of new and existing services. We listed the number of

residents that will receive services in outreach, case management, updated technology and computers,

increased education, basic computer skills training, educational assistance such as GED classes,

employment counseling, employment search, post-employment counseling, financial counseling, and

child care, wellness service, transportation, recreation activities, and follow-up case management.

Outputs Projected Number of ResidentsOutreach 8,073 Residents Needs Assessment Available to all 6,706 residents to determine if s/he qualifies for the

grant services.Case Management All participants on grant will receive case management. Educational Services 2,150 Employment Services 1,500 Childcare 150 Life-Skills Training 2,150Evaluation All participants on ROSS grant will have a follow-up & evaluation.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Our Logic Model and Work Plan show what we expect to achieve from the services we will offer

to our residents. We have listed projected measurable results. We have expressed our outcomes in terms

of the number of residents who will benefit from the needs assessments, financial workshops, case

management, wellness services, nutritional education, transportation, and follow-up case management.

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Outcomes Projected Number of Residents Access to Computers 2,550Access to the Internet 2,550Access to Job Training 300Employment 265Attains GED 1,020Higher Income 255Child Care 100Recreation Activities 350

EVALUATION

We will execute an evaluation program to measure the outputs and outcomes of the proposed

activities and the number of residents who will benefit from the services. Evaluation will be conducted

throughout the project from the planning stages through completion using the Tracking-at-a-Glance®

software. The evaluation of the program will be executed by all program-related staff members. All staff

will report their evaluation to the Project Coordinators, who will work with the President and CEO.

Staff and partners will work together to oversee the administrative portion of the program. They

will work in collaboration to monitor and track outcomes and residents’ progress. The Houston Housing

Authority staff and partners will be required to report all efforts within the grant on a monthly basis.

This data will be reviewed monthly by the Project Coordinators to ensure proper collection and

performance, and they will be reviewed by the President and CEO at least every six months. We have

taken several steps to ensure that partners’ performance targets are being met. We will measure partners’

performance by getting feedback from the residents, counting the number of residents who benefited

from partner services, and measuring the increased value in the standard of living for the residents who

received supportive services from our partners.

It is our organizational policy to foster an air of openness, and this program will be no different.

We will foster an atmosphere of transparency to ensure that all areas of the program are open and

accessible. We will hold weekly and monthly meeting to discuss program progress. We will have a clear

and exact line of accountability and a distinct chain of command. We will operate a check and balances

system to ensure that all areas of the program have multiple staff working in concert to guarantee the

success of the program, and we will establish timeframes and deadlines for all major milestones.

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Documents

HHA Rating Factors Narratives 1-5