Transforming Lives & Communities

Houston Housing Authority

Community Highlights

June 2018

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

HHA Celebrates 80 Years of Service

FSS Success Graduation

Job Interview Tips

Board of Commissioners:LaRence Snowden, ChairPhillis Wilson, Vice ChairShondra E. WygalKristy M. KirkendollTim HoranDavid Enrique RuizTory Gunsolley, President & CEO

2640 Fountain View Dr.Houston, Texas 77057Phone: 713.260.0600

www.housingforhouston.com

The mission of the Houston Housing Authority is to improve lives by providing quality, affordable housing options and

promoting education and economic self-sufficiency.

HHA Celebrates 80th Year of Service With New Building Since its creation in 1938, the Houston Housing Authority has served thousands of Houstonians by providing safe, quality and affordable housing. Now celebrating its 80th year of service, HHA is kicking off 2018 with a new, updated office to better serve clients.

From an easy-to-use electric kiosk for sign-ins to a small play area for children to new seating, the lobby is a refreshed and welcoming space.

“To honor the HHA’s 80th year of service, our focus will be to continue serving clients and families with the tools they need to reach economic self-sufficiency and success,” HHA President and CEO Tory Gunsolley said. “We hope to serve more this year than ever before, and the new building is one of many steps we’re taking to be more efficient and cost-effective while also making our clients feel welcomed and valued.”

Located at 2640 Fountain View Dr., the new office is in the same parking lot as the old building. Regular business hours remain from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

HHA has a rich legacy of service in Houston. Cuney Homes was HHA’s first housing development and was named after Norris Wright Cuney, a prominent African-American leader in Texas. Now, HHA has 25 properties and currently houses 5,700 clients.

In addition to the move, HHA celebrated its 80th year of service with an Open House on April 17 to show the community the important need for building and maintaining affordable housing options in Houston.

Local leaders and HHA staff were among those in attendence, as well as a representative from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s office, who issued a proclamation in honor of HHA’s milestones.

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Breaking The Cyle of Poverty, One Family at a Time

In February, the 2018 class of graduates from the HHA’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program were recognized with a graduation ceremony, conducted at the new HHA office on Fountain View. The FSS program promotes and encourages participants to develop strategies towards economic self-sufficiency.

The program works with HHA clients to meet their individual goals by connecting them to community resources and homeownership assistance. Upon fulfillment of the five-year program, families receive the funds accumulated in their escrow account, which they can use to purchase a house.

HHA honored 27 graduates this year, one of the biggest graduating classes yet. The graduates achieved tremendous success following the completion of the program, including:• 12 graduates are no longer on housing programs• 10 graduates are now new homeowners • 6 graduates earned new degrees

Throughout the program, participants received continuous assistance, encouragement and motivation from the HHA’s team of FSS coordinators, who help FSS participants develop personal budgets for household finances, establish bank accounts and repair damaged credit.

“Being in this program gives you the confidence that you can do this,” said FSS graduate Brenda Boston during the graduation ceremony. “I wanted to do something that my children would be proud of. I am grateful to the program.”

The intensive, multi-year financial literacy and budget-building program works with participants of the agency’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing Programs to establish specific economic goals, supported by counseling from the FSS coordinators to identify social services that aid participants in achieving their individual economic goals.

“The FSS program is a great resource that helps our clients overcome barriers that have limited them from reaching their full potential,” said HHA HCV Vice President Mark Thiele. “We are proud of the accomplishments of each graduate and look forward to their future successes.”

While each graduate began with diverse needs – from job placement assistance to credit recovery and repair – all were gainfully employed at the time of graduation and were able to save a combined total escrow of over $181,514.

Are you interested in joining the FSS program? All information sessions are held at the HHA office on the third Wednesday of each month starting at 10 a.m.

- Wednesday, June 20 - Wednesday, September 19 - Wednesday, July 18 - Wednesday, October 17

12 TIPS toACEYOUR NEXTJOB INTERVIEW

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1 RESEARCH - All candidates should take the time to review the employer’s website, the requirements of the job and the background of the person interviewing you. The more research you conduct the more you’ll understand the employer and the better you’ll be able to answer interview questions.

AWKWARD SILENCE - Come up with a go-to phrase that’ll help you avoid dead air if you need time to stall and gather your thoughts. Two strategies that work well are repeating the question thoughtfully before answering or saying (slowly), “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say….”

DRESS FOR SUCCESS - It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Be sure your clothing fits and is clean and pressed. Keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum. Refrain from smoking or eating right before the interview, check your clothes for loose hems and make sure your fingernails look groomed.

ARRIVE EARLY - Showing up 15 minutes early for an interview will not only impress the interviwer, but also allows you time to find parking, complete additional paperwork and get settled.

BE PREPARED - Pack extra copies of your resume and reference list. If you have a portfolio or samples of your work, bring those along too. Finally, as you get to the interview, shut off your cell phone so it doesn’t disrupt the interview.

BODY LANGUAGE - Effective forms of body language include smiling, eye contact, solid posture, active listening and nodding. Stay away from slouching, looking off in the distance, fidgeting in a chair, brushing back your hair, touching your face, chewing gum or mumbling.

THANK YOU NOTE - While at the interview, thank each person who interviewed you before you leave. Writing thank-you emails or notes shortly after the interview will give you an edge over any of the other finalists who didn’t bother to send thank-you notes.

8 REFRESH YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA - According to research, 91 percent of employers review your social media profiles for any red flags. Go through your social media pages and make sure that your account is private or delete posts that may raise concern for employers.

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9 ASK QUESTIONS - Be prepared to respond when the interviewer asks whether you have any questions for him or her. Example questions include “What would you say sets your company apart from competitors?” or “What are the main challenges your company faces?”

10 PHONE INTERVIEW - For phone interviews, use a quiet, comfortable and private space with no distractions or background noise, so you can focus on the interview. It can also be helpful to stand during the interview, since this typically gives your voice more energy and enthusiasm.