The SERCulator

serc-nahro.orgSPRING 2014

Southeastern Regional Council of Housing & CD ProfessionalsNational Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials

TreasurerJeanette Henderson

Past serc Presidents

executive committee chairPersons

VP-Professional Dev Marilyn J. Medley

VP-CommissionersJohnny Johnson

VP-Member ServicesShaundra Clark

VP-HousingMark Taylor

VP-C R & DAlvin Nance

President Ailrick D. Young

annual conferenceJan Piersol 2014

Shannon Biggs 2015registration Jacob Oglesby

Angie Stricklandhousing

Wayne East hosPitality Jan Piersol

executive committeeWanda Ruckman Stevens

exhibit committeeSusan Lillis 2013

legislative Tony Bazzie

budgetSteve Burchett

Policy advisoryAustin Simmsnominating

Thomas Roweresolutions

Pamela Brewsterrental assistance

Sheryl FortuneSherrie Samples

cr&d Winston Henning

scholarshiP Madelyn Dotson

Johnny Black40 under 40

Latonia Simmonsdisaster PreParedness

Jessie NorwoodProfessional develoPment

Buddy Oldfieldeducation & training

Shaunte EvansPublic affairs-serculator

Lillian Stringeradministrative Practices

Doug Freemanmember services Anthony Goodson

history/archival Antonio Williams

insurance trusteesDavid Smothermancommissioners Henry Williams

strategic Planning Joyce Floyd

site selection Tina Akers Brown

Austin Simmsserccess

Sandra Strozier

Senior Vice President Dave Baldwin

SecretarySean Gilbert

state Presidentsalabama - Mike Sweetflorida - Maria Burgergeorgia - John MarriaKentucKy - Tooter CastlemississiPPi - Lucious Cameroncarolinas council- Angela Grahamtennessee - Joyce Floydvirginia - Michael WongWest virginia - Madelyn Dotson

alabama - Mike Sweetflorida - Miguell Del Campillogeorgia - John MarriaKentucKy - Tooter CastlemississiPPi - Alan Ingramn. carolina - Angela Grahams. carolina - Anne Burroughstennessee - Joyce Floydvirginia - Michael WongWest virginia - Madelyn Dotson

state rePresentatives

first - Tina Akers Brownsecond - Donald Cameronthird - Austin Simms

PresidentAilrick YoungP.O. Drawer 2910Laurel, MS 39442Phone: (601) 425-4651Fax: (601) [email protected]

senior vice PresidentDave Baldwin809 Edmond St.Bristol, VA 24201-4385Phone: (276) 821-6255Fax: (276) [email protected]

secretary Sean GilbertP.O. Box 3550Knoxville, TN 37927-3550Phone: (865) 403-1209Fax: (865) [email protected]

treasurer Jeanette HendersonP.O. Box 485Albany, GA 31702Phone: (229) 434-4505Fax: (229) [email protected]

vP of Professional dev.Marilyn J. MedleyP.O. Box 497Morristown, TN 37815Phone: (423) 586-5115Fax: (423) [email protected]

vP of housingMark TaylorP.O. Box 86Charleston, WV 25321Phone: (303) 348-6451Fax: (303) [email protected]

vP of member servicesShaundra ClarkP.O. Box 12Tifton, GA 31793Phone: (229) 382-5434Fax: (229) [email protected]

vP of commissioners Johnny Johnson33 Pickens Dr.Columbus, MS 39702Phone: (662) 251-1855Fax: (662) [email protected]

vP of cr&dAlvin Nance901 N. Broadway Knoxville, TN 37917Phone: (865) 403-1106Fax: (865) [email protected]

2013 - 2015

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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 the interest of the members of the 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:

The primary objective of the SERCulator is to provide a vehicle which facilitates an open exchange of information and ideas among professionals in the field of Housing and Community Development. An essential requirement to serve this purpose is the publication of professional articles and other informational material dealing with the development and implementation of various skills and practices in this field which are both of value as well as suitable for sharing with fellow professionals. Submissions of this nature are encouraged from individual and organizational members of the Southeastern Regional Council of NAHRO. * While publisher and printer will make every effort to correct inaccurate submissions, publisher is not liable for advertising printed from faulty ad materials.

Contributing Editors

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor EmeritusFloyd Johnson

Managing EditorPhotographyKara Hagan

Alabama - Tom WachsFlorida - Robert SkrobGeorgia - Reta Thomas Kentucky - Shauna BoomMississippi - Floyd JohnsonThe Carolinas - Kara HaganTennessee - Jim YoungVirginia - Madelyn HydeWest Virginia - D.J. Haynes

CONTENTSThe SERCulator

DEPARTMENTS

Additional Copies of the SERCulator may be ordered for $3.00 each, plus shipping & handling. Send requests to the attention of the Managing Editor.

President’s Message . . .4Legislative Focus . . .6SERCulating the South . . . 10- 31Calendar . . . Back Cover

SPRING 2014

Kara Hagan - (828) 779-1212, e-mail: [email protected] or mail to 2638 Gabriels Creek Rd., Mars Hill, NC 28754

2014 Annual Conference . . . 19Your Executive Committee at Work . . . 12-13

4 The Serculator Spring 2014

Greetings SERC Colleagues,Recently our dear friend and colleague Mike Proffitt passed away. Mike

was the Executive Director of the Brookhaven Housing Authority in Brookhaven, MS and a longtime SERC Associate and active member of our Scholarship Committee. Mike not only served on the committee and worked tirelessly to raise funds for the youth we serve but also befriended so many of our associates and their families. Mike will surely be missed by the Association and always remembered for his hard work on behalf of the Association and his friendship.

Mike’s wife and family were moved by the support shown to them during this difficult time by SERC Members who reached out to them.

As Mike did, all of us must find our niche or passion and just do the best we can. We are all diverse as individuals and have our own unique qualities. Everyone can make a contribution with their talents to our Association. It’s what makes the Association strong and able to serve the needs of such a vast and diverse amount of members concerns.

We currently have many associates working on behalf of SERC trying to make a positive difference in our industry and make things better for those we serve. There are way too many of you to mention individually in this message, but that doesn’t diminish the efforts being made by so many of you. I just want to take a moment to “Thank you ALL” for the enormous amount of work you do every day on behalf of SERC and our industry.

I am constantly asked by associates if our advocacy efforts are making a difference. Many times it is hard to understand the results of our Advocacy efforts because we can’t always directly tie increased funding and the passage of legislation, which works in our favor, with certainty to those efforts. My answer and the answer I get from our Industry partners (NAHRO) and other Industry stakeholders is an empathic and prompt “Yes”. We do not and I repeat do not want to do nothing and wish that funding levels will be adequate and legislation will be passed that will benefit those we serve and the industry. I strongly encourage you to continue to press forward with your advocacy efforts and encourage your colleagues who are not actively participating in our Advocacy efforts to get on board now. We need every associate participating!

I continue to be thankful for the opportunity to serve as your President

In Memory of Mike ProffittDavid Michael (Mike) Proffitt (1950 - 2014)

Although not a native Mississippian, Mike Proffitt called Brookhaven home. He definitely left his mark on Mississippi State athletic history. All-SEC pitcher Mike Proffitt and Marler were honored as the 113th and 114th inductees into the university's prestigious Sports Hall of Fame in the fall of 1993.

"When I heard the news, I was surprised- kind of shocked," Proffitt said. "I'm just thankful I had a chance to be a part of those teams and a part of Mississippi State."

'Those teams' were Mississippi State's 1970 and 1971 SEC championship baseball teams.

The four-year letterman and two-time All-SEC performer piled up a 30-10 career pitching record. Along the way, he established school records for complete games (36 in 40 starts) and set school standards for shutouts in a season (four) and in a career (11). He also played a key role in the Bulldogs' advancement to the 1971 NCAA College World Series, Mississippi State's first trip to the Omaha, Neb. tournament.

Proffitt went on to play three years in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization.

Mike Proffitt, Executive Director of

the Brookhaven MS Housing Authority since 1975, passed away Feb. 25, 2014. He was born Nov. 1, 1950 to Jeff David Proffitt and Mary Frances Paris Proffitt in Gaffney, SC where he lived until 1957. He grew up in Birmingham, AL, graduated from Ensley High School in 1968 and was Mr. Ensley High School and president of his senior class. He was a four year letterman in every sport, and he was awarded the honor of Sports Illustrated All-American in baseball his senior year. Mike was a member of the M-Club Mississippi State University where he still holds records today.

He was the “winningest pitcher in the SEC” his senior year, a two-time All SEC performer, 1971-1972, established school records in complete games, 36 in 40 starts, and set school records for shutouts in a single season, four, and in a career, 11. He also played a key role in the Bulldogs’ advancement to the 1971 NCAA College World Series, Mississippi State’s first trip to the Omaha, Neb. tournament. He was inducted into the Mississippi State Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. In 1972, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals where he played in the Minor League for three seasons.

He is past president of the Mississippi Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials where he was currently holding the office of secretary-treasurer. Mike served tirelessly on the SERC Scholarship Committee.

Of the most importance, he was an active member and elder of Faith Presbyterian Church. As a follower of Christ, the joy of the Lord was evident all throughout his life. Mike would always light up every room he entered. He never met a stranger and was always a kind, loving and loyal friend. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and part-time hunter. His claim to fame, however, and

Former Bulldog pitcher Mike Proffitt, left, and quarterback Dave Marler, second from left, were inducted into the prestigious Mississippi State Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Photos and More on page 10

SERC

6 The Serculator Spring 2014u

MARCH 2014AN OPEN LETTER TO

CONGRESS

The Southeastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (SERC-NAHRO) is an association of knowledgeable and dedicated housing and community development professionals. Organized more than 60 years ago, SERC-NAHRO consists of more than 700 agency members that serve more than a half million lower income households in ten southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee).

Throughout America, housing agencies have been highly successful in providing a critical housing resource through their federally funded Public Housing and rental voucher programs, yet many unmet needs remain. For many years, there was a partnership between Congress and Housing Authorities in an effort to meet the needs, but underfunding of various HUD programs over the last few years has resulted in Housing Authorities being unable to meet the housing requirements of their communities' families. Through this Open Letter, SERC-NAHRO seeks renewed support and a commitment by Congress to properly fund HUD programs and 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. SERC 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 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 one of the most basic of needs -- adequate shelter -- is available to our nation's families, including our elderly citizens and our veterans.

PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUNDCongress is providing Housing Authorities additional money for Public Housing operations in 2014 when compared to 2013 appropriations. However, Housing Authorities still struggle to manage their Public Housing programs with insufficient funding. Congress and the Administration

agreed to $4.4 billion for the Operating Fund for 2014, an amount that provides Housing Authorities with only an estimated 84 percent proration of the amount to which they are entitled. Congress and the Administration dug a deep hole for Housing Authorities in 2012 when funding was deliberately shorted $1 billion in an effort to force Housing Authorities to spend their reserves to make up the shortfall. Agencies are still trying to dig their way out of this hole, but will likely be unable to do so in 2014 because of the 84 percent proration of eligibility. Housing Authorities still will have to work with less staff, forego certain maintenance projects, and try to make the insufficient funding they receive cover increasing expenses.SERC urges Congress and HUD to consider the adverse impact decreased funding has had over the last several years and work together to provide at least $5 billion in operating funds in 2015, which would still require prorated subsidies, but the proration would be somewhere between a manageable 95 to 98 percent of eligibility.

CAPITAL FUNDAs it has for a number of years, a huge need remains for Capital Funds to preserve our Public Housing stock. Congress approved only $1.875 billion for capital funding in 2014, far less than the estimated $3.4 billion of annually accruing capital needs. As the need for capital improvements increases due to the aging housing stock, appropriations continue to dwindle -- a decrease of nearly $1 billion over a 10-year period. SERC believes the least Congress should provide for capital funding is $3.4 billion in 2015, otherwise, the physical needs of our Public Housing properties will continue to grow, threatening its viability. We also urge Congress to create protected capital reserve accounts to allow Housing Authorities to plan responsibly for future needs.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATIONThe Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) has both proponents and opponents in the housing industry, largely because of the uncertainties that exist. SERC-NAHRO encourages Congress to direct HUD to work closely with the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials to address the flaws and ensure the success of RAD so that additional Housing Authorities will have the option to convert Public Housing units to the Section 8 platform. Working together, HUD and NAHRO can achieve results that do not undermine the fiscal stability of the Public Housing program for agencies that opt against conversion.

MOVING TO WORKSERC-NAHRO members continue to push for the reauthorization and broad-based expansion of the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration in a manner that protects existing MTW agreements while providing a significant number of new MTW agencies with financial flexibility and the freedom to pursue innovative policies and practices.

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM FUNDING LEVELCongress' adoption and the President's signing of the

2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act can be viewed as a mixed blessing. While the HUD budget does provide a slight increase in the Housing Choice Voucher Program funding level over the 2013 enacted level, the act uses Housing Authorities' Calendar Year (CY) 2013 HAP expenditures to determine their base voucher HAP renewal eligibility in CY 2014, essentially making the sequester cuts permanent. Housing Authorities assisted 40,000 to 50,000 fewer low-income households in CY 2013 than in CY 2012 and spent considerable amounts of their Net Restricted Assets/HAP Reserves as a result of dramatic funding cuts topped by sequestration. As a result, hundreds of Housing Authorities began 2014 with little or no reserves to absorb increased Housing Assistance Payments costs throughout the year, which sets up an even more severe decline in the total number of voucher-assisted households in 2014 unless other measures are taken by Congress.The 2014 spending bill provides only enough money to support about a 90 percent leasing rate, compared with the 93 percent rate supported by 2012 funding. While funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program gained ground dollar-wise in 2014 ($17.3 billion for Housing Assistance Payments, which will result in a 99 percent proration), the appropriated amount again falls short of need. As Congress and the Administration begin debates on the 2015 HUD budget, SERC calls on Congress to enact a renewal funding formula to correct for the past harm that has been done. This can be accomplished in FY 2015 by basing renewals on the higher of 2012, 2013 or 2014 families leased as represented by each Housing Authorities' HAP expenditures, and taking into account any incremental vouchers an agency might have received. Further, we ask that our nation's lawmakers be vigilant about the Administration's proposed 2015 budget for HUD and note whether the Administration's request assumes savings to be realized from enacted or proposed legislative reforms. If these reforms are not approved or do not pan out, Housing Authorities will once again face shortfalls in HAP dollars in 2015 and even fewer families will be served.The following chart illustrates the effect insufficient funding had on voucher utilization in 2012 for the states within the SERC region, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities:

State Vouchers Used in 2012 Authorized Vouchers That Went Unused Largely Because of the Lack of FundingAlabama 29,325 14%Florida 93,368 8%Georgia 51,988 14%Kentucky 31,308 9%Mississippi 21,773 8%North Carolina 54,903 6%South Carolina 31,001 7%Tennessee 33,387 3%Virginia 43,988 10%West Virginia 13,356 12%

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE FEESReductions in administrative fees hurt not just Housing Authorities, but the families that agencies serve. Calendar Year 2010 saw Housing Authorities receive 93 percent of the administrative fees to which they were entitled. In CY 2011, that proration dropped significantly (to 85 percent) and in CY 2012, the proration slid to 80 percent. CY 2013, however, was the year of the most devastating cut of all -- a proration of only 68 percent, the lowest in the 38-year history of the program. Compounding the problem, Housing Authorities only earn an administrative fee for each household leased, so the downward spiral in the number of families served also adversely affects already low administrative fee prorations. Since FY 2003, the last year Housing Authorities received 100 percent of their administrative fee eligibility, more than 270 Housing Authorities -- or 12.5 percent of all agencies administering vouchers -- have handed back their voucher programs to HUD or transferred them to other Housing Authorities because they could no longer afford to administer the program. Many Housing Authorities that have temporarily

Continued on page 29

Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Sean Gilbert as the senior vice president of housing.

“KCDC has a solid industry reputation as a forward-thinking leader. I am very excited to join the innovative team in Knoxville,” Gilbert said.

Sean will direct the management, maintenance and renovation of KCDC’s Housing Department which includes more than 3,700 affordable housing apartments, the Section 8

Department which provides rental assistance for an additional 4,000 low income families, and the low income housing tax credit program.

“The senior vice president of housing serves a key role in our organization. Finding an innovative, experienced individual for this position was vital,” said Executive Director and CEO Alvin Nance. “Sean is the perfect fit with more than 18 years of experience as the executive director of a Public Housing Authority, as well as over 20 years of redevelopment experience.”

Since 1995 Gilbert has served as the executive director of the Housing Authority of Pikeville, Kentucky, where he oversaw eight low-income housing properties of more than 500 housing units. Gilbert also directed the Section 8 voucher program and oversaw new construction and modernization projects for the Housing Authority.

Prior to his work in Pikeville, Gilbert directed all downtown revitalization programs for Williamson, W. Va., and was the revitalization coordinator for the City of Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Throughout his tenure, the Pikeville Housing Authority maintained U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) high performer status on both its Public Housing and Section 8 programs. In 2006, the Housing Authority of Pikeville was named Kentucky’s Outstanding Large Housing Agency by HUD.

“Gilbert’s extensive experience with both Public Housing and redevelopment initiatives, especially in downtown areas, allows him to thoroughly understand KCDC’s mission and strategic plan goals,” Nance said. “His prior work demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the industry, and we look forward to bringing his expertise to the Knoxville community.

To welcome him to KCDC and Knoxville, his office was appropriately decorated in BIG ORANGE décor. Time will tell how long it takes to see him dressed in orange and saying GO VOLS!!!

February 28, 2014

Dear SERC MembershipI am retiring today. After 48 years in the public

arena, 39 in affordable housing, and 39 with this conference, I wanted to express my appreciation to all of you as I exit my professional role as Executive Director from the Huntington W.Va. Housing Authority. I have enjoyed this organization immensely over the years. Training, advocating, and learning with such a professional group has been an honor and I will miss all of you very much.

I know — and all of you know— that SERC is the premier professional affordable housing group in the country. No other group even comes close — and yes, of course, I am extremely biased about our region. But, it is a bias grounded in fact. I am so proud of the diversity we have, a diversity in the region of the country that not so many years ago, (when I actually started work) could not be found. You have led the way and shown the way out of bias, bigotry and discrimination. You walk the walk and leave the happy horse manure behind. The skill of so many professionals, not just executive directors, but all manner of directors, planners, administrators, managers, and maintenance is beyond comparison.

And of course, I have to mention our propensity for having fun. Given the pressures constantly thrown at us by external and internal forces, we truly use our conferences to release our frustrations. It is an excellent mixture of fun and training. And, as Pete G. from Florida reminds us, this profession is much worse than rocket science because they keep changing the rules. Part of that fun and being very serious about raising funds for our scholarship programs, our golf tournaments are amazing. And I will remind all you golfers out there, W.VA. is still number one. Keep swinging SERC.I wish ya’ll the best! Bill Dotson

Engaging the Media – Yes, You Can!

Interviews with local news outlets are a great way to build your image in the community.

Here are few topics to consider when it comes to conducting interviews with professional reporters:

“Loaded” QuestionsThe easy example is "Have

you stopped beating your wife?" but the more likely one is "Are you concerned that the corruption that your agency is known for is going to prevent you from being successful?"

Your response to questions like that depend a little on your situation. Are you part of a new management team or have you been there a while? Also ... is the bad reputation (for whatever reason) something that you're really working on? If it is, then say so. Smooth it over so you're not throwing anyone under the bus, but acknowledging the problem is the best thing to do. Something like ... "I'm glad you asked me about that ... we know that we need to improve our transparency so that our community can really understand the value that we bring in the work we're doing. This is an important goal for us."

When a question is pre-loaded with criticism as an agreed-to assumption, one of the strongest responses Continued on page 15


Camilla GA

Housing Authority’s Teen Maze is a life size interactive maze that allows every 8th grader to experience “Real-life” scenarios and dangers that they may encounter along the path to adulthood.

The Maze is a wonderful, fun, and safe way for students to learn about making the right choices and how to avoid or overcome roadblocks along the way. The program’s goal is to help the students graduate from high school and college, then go on to successful careers.

Each student is given a book to document their journey. Students visit stations to “draw” a script out of a bag to determine the choices that were made and the consequences of those choices. The script is then placed in their personal book and the student proceeds to the next station. The book allows the student to remember their experience and to share with friends and parents the lessons they’ve learned.

The stations include Jail, Date, Pharmacy, Pregnancy, Babies, DFCS, STD, Drugs/Alcohol, Gangs, Graduation, School, and Graveyard. There are also many other stations that are manned by collaborative partners that volunteer to make this a success every year.

After each student completes the maze, they share their experiences with a counselor and complete a survey which is used to determine the effectiveness of the program. The program reaches 8th graders from Baconton Charter School, Baker Co. School, Mitchell

most cherished title was being “Pop” to his grandson, Michael, whom he adored. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Harriet Haag Proffitt, daughters, Molly Proffitt Tremonte and husband Ben of Ocean Springs, and Sally Michele Proffitt of Brookhaven, grandson, Michael Nicholas Tremonte, mother-in-law, Jeanette Haag, nieces, Laney Proffitt Zorn, Tracie Haag and Hayley Haag Moak, and a host of wonderful friends.

Funeral services were Feb. 28 at Faith Presbyterian Church with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park.

Mike selling raffle tickets for the SERC Scholarship Committee.

(Above) Mike cutting up with Wally Board. (Right) Mike loved playing golf in SERC’s Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament.

In Memory of Mike Proffitt

Camilla Housing Authority Shares Prevention Education With Eighth Graders

Pictured are Teen Maze volunteers and Camilla Housing Authority residents Mattie Lallemand and Regina Davis.

Co. Middle School, Pelham Middle School, and Westwood School.

For the past six years, Camilla Housing Authority’s Social Services Coordinator, Debbie Peavy, works at the Drug and Alcohol station. In recent years, she was joined by a couple of residents, Mattie Lallemand and Regina Davis, who volunteer at the Graveyard/Funeral Home station where they assist the students with writing their own eulogies. Students then take a moment to reflect on their lives as they look at themselves in the mirror that is placed in the casket. Peavy and Lallemand also work at the Social Media and Electronics station where they shared the dangers of talking on the phone while driving, sexting, and risky social media examples.

representative Mark M. Tuggle (R-81st District, Lee and Tallapoosa) will be the first recipient of Alabama Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities’ Legislator of the Year Award. The award will be presented to him during the opening session at the (AAHRA) Spring Workshop

at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama on Tuesday, April 22, 2014.Rep. Tuggle was elected in 2010 and is known for his work on the Alabama State House of

Representatives’ House Ways and Means, State Government, Technology and Water & Management Committees. His record demonstrates significant accomplishments considering his short tenure in the Alabama State House of Representatives. He is the chairman of the Drought & Management Strategies Committee.

The AAHRA Legislator of the Year award was created to honor a decision-maker who has furthered the cause of housing and community development by advancing legislation, raising awareness, encouraging public policy debate on issues facing housing and community development (HCD) providers and consistently working HCD issues.

AAHRA Names Legislator of the Year

Representative Mark M. Tuggle


AT WORK

YourSERCExecutiveCommittee


On February 26th the Tampa FL Housing Authority sponsored a job fair for the residents of the Agency as well as those

within the local community. It was a joint venture between THAs Program and Property Services Department and the Center For Manifestation Worldwide Inc. Companies like Wal-Mart, Terminix, Chase, Tampa Bay Times Forum and Leary Technical were just a few to present employment opportunities to active job seekers.

In the Tampa Bay area alone unemployment is down 6.2 percent since December; the lowest in the entire state within the past 5 ½ months. Most of the vendors present advertised available

positions in the fields of administrative, clerical, warehouse and call center/customer service. As a result of the Housing Authority’s outreach efforts other businesses such as PDQ sponsored lunch for all participating employment vendors, Toufaxan Bakery provided breakfast breads/ muffins and the Center for Manifestation Worldwide, Inc. provided all of the beverages.

“This is not the first job fair that we’ve hosted here at the Authority,” says Jerome D. Ryans, President and CEO. “We have a very active job developer who is always on the alert for available employment opportunities for Tampa Housing Authority residents. My hope is that all of our residents and even those who are not residents of the Housing Authority will participate in upcoming job fairs to be scheduled throughout the year.”

Tampa Housing Hosts First 2014 Job Fair for Residents and Local Bay Area Community

you can give is to simply acknowledge the problem IF IT IS TRUE. If it is unfair and NOT true, you should make a point of interrupting the reporter and rejecting the premise of the question. "Now wait a minute, Bob, I'm going to interrupt you right there and tell you that we can all do better with our customer service skills but there is absolutely NO corruption going on in this agency. If you have actual evidence of that, you need to share that with me right now."

The HypotheticalHypothetical questions are almost never good to answer ... "If a

customer did this, would you do that?" If it's a hypothetical that would be really, really good but is extremely unlikely ("What would you do if your agency received all the funding you needed for three years in a row?"), the best response is a lighthearted one, starting with rejecting its premise, "Well, I think we all know that's not going to happen, but I'll fall off that bridge happily if I ever get to it."

Beware the last “quick question”Reporters love to drop the bomb just before getting off the phone.

They've already got everything they need for the obvious story, they finish up, asking if you've been playing golf or tennis or whatever you enjoy, then offhandedly say, "Oh, yeah, I saw where you gave so-and-so, a property manager, the boot the other day ... that was some dead wood in your organization, huh? You must be relieved."

Let’s take the assumption that the reporter’s assessment is exactly right. If you're not paying attention, you could forget that you're talking to a reporter. You might say, "You got that right," or something that sounds non-specific enough. The next day, you should expect to see this headline:

Director Calls So-And-So "Dead Wood" After FiringAnd suddenly, your lawyer is on the phone. If you don't directly

reject what the reporter is saying or go with the classic "no comment on that one" (as you should), you’re going along with the assertion will be taken as agreement and you'll spend the next 3 days explaining yourself. Remember the first Commandment of Public Relations and Politics: If you're explaining, you're losing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------Jean Bolduc is the owner of Pen & Inc Communications and former Communications Director for the Durham Housing Authority. You can write her at [email protected] or visit her website www.penandinc.com for more tips on managing public relations.

Engaging the Media

Yes, You Can!Continued from page 9


2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. Basketball Tournament Hosted In Huntsville, ALSERC/NAHRO MLK BASKETBALL CHALLENGE HIGHLIGHTS

The 19th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. SERC/NAHRO Basketball Challenge held January 17-20, 2014 was declared a huge success by participants from Housing Authorities across the Southeast. Hosted by the Huntsville AL Housing Authority, CEO Michael Lundy officially welcomed the teams and encouraged them to enjoy the highlights of Huntsville. Lundy, SERC/NAHRO President Ailrick Young, and Kenneth Anderson from the Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs/Mayor’s office of the city of Huntsville, addressed players, coaches and volunteers during the Opening Ceremony. A special presentation was also made to Daniel Kasambira, Director of the Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University Student Health and Wellness Center.

It was evident that the spirit of teamwork, community involvement and peaceful coexistence remained present throughout the event. Eleven teams and eight Housing Authorities participated from around the country for this exciting, life-changing basketball experience.

While in Huntsville, tournament attendees were exposed to cultural diversity, recreation, and an educational tour through the historical Alabama A&M University State Black Archives Research Center and Museum, as well as a voter’s registration drive sponsored by The Huntsville Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The teams also attended the SERC/NAHRO MLK Banquet in which keynote speaker Honorable Mention All-American football player, David L. Battle Jr. gave a moving and inspiring speech. A night of fun ended with a trip to the Spectactical Laser Tag Arena. The finale event was the attendance of the 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast sponsored by the Delta Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at the Von Braun Center- North Hall.

Tournament play took place at the Alabama A&M University in their state-of-the-art Student Health and Wellness Center. Congratulations to the following winners in each category. 12 and Underl 1st Place Winner: Huntsville, AL (Metro)l 2nd Place Winner: Bowling Green, KY (Bobcats)l 3rd Place Winner: Mobile, AL (All Stars) 15 and Underl 1st Place Winner: Laurel, MS (The Heat)l 2nd Place Winner: Birmingham, Al (Flight)l 3rd Place Winner: Huntsville, AL (Kings) 18 and Underl 1st Place Winner: Alexander City, AL (Lakers)l 2nd Place Winner: Statesville, NC (Eagles)l 3rd Place Winner: Huntsville, AL (Rockets) Team Sportsmanship Awardl Lexington, NC (Trojans)

2014 SERC CommitteeAilrick Young……………..………………………………………….……... SERC President- Laurel, MSAbraham Williams…………………………….… Executive Director- Housing Authority of Bowling Green, KYDonald Belle……………………………Tenant Relations Coordinator- Housing Authority of Mobile, AL David Meachem………………………… Executive Director- Housing Authority of Statesville, NCTom Wachs…………………………………… Executive Director- Housing Authority of Eufaula, ALFrederick Whitlow II………Youth & Family Services Coordinator- Huntsville Housing Authority of Huntsville, AL

CEO Michael Lundy (right) made a special presentation to Daniel Kasambira, Director of the Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University Student Health and Wellness Center, during Opening Session.

2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. Basketball Tournament Hosted In Huntsville, AL

The tournament began with a Pool Play in which all the teams played each other. The undefeated team then played the 4th place team, the 2nd and 3rd place teams played each other, and the winners of those games — Alexander City AL Housing Authority and Statesville NC Housing Authority — paired off for the regional championship. Much like the rivalry between the Universities of Alabama and Auburn, these two teams have gone head to head for several years, and this year was no different! This year the Alexander City team prevailed with a victory of 49 to 43.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

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Alexander City AL Housing Authority YAS Center team took first place in their category in spite of injuries.

More Tournament Highlights

These boys are all smiles as they get ready to enjoy the SERC/NAHRO MLK Banquet and Keynote Speaker David L. Battle, Jr., Honorable Mention All-American football player.

Huntsville Housing Authority CEO Michael Lundy is surrounded by Tournament founders, organizers and volunteers as he displays the official SERC/NAHRO Basketball Challenge Weekend Proclamation by the City of Huntsville.

Jim Acquisto, formerly a Detective Sergeant

with Daviess County, KY, will provide information on illegal

(methamphetamine, crack, etc.) and street drugs (bath salts, K-2, prescription

drugs), as well as other information to keep our communities safe. Come learn what

the signs are!!

The latest from Washington!! A discussion with Sunia Zaterman,

CLPHA, Tim Kaiser, PHADA, and Saul Ramirez, NAHRO. How

does each organization look toward the future? Hear

various opinions from all the lobbyists.

Jonathan Martin with Constangy,

Brooks & Smith, LLP will provide an Employer / Employee Boot Camp. What

might be the correct approach to a difficult employment situation?

Robin White will help you deal with difficult people and situations. Was it a full moon last night? Is it going to be?? Learn to manage your emotions.

The Bennett Group will discuss acquiring Rural Development Projects in which they will make part of the overall RAD conversion as well as discuss acquiring properties that were in the construction process and properties with rehabilitation needs. Discuss the need to rebrand Public Housing and PHA owned properties for marketability.

Section 8 Updates as well as Transitioning from Public Housing to RAD Multifamily will be provided by Dennis Morgan. Do you know what the actual differences are??

John Jeffreys providing Commissioner Training on best practices and how to govern in a thoughtful and practical manner.

Bill Thorson to give all of the new information on the Capital Fund rules. Do you know what is included or NOW excluded?

Quadel Consulting’s two day Assisted Housing Manager occupancy training provides essential information on HUD-subsidized multifamily housing.

Jason Casterline, CPA will present Advanced PHA Budgeting, Accounting, and Financial Reporting. New PHA compensation rules, REAC Update, NGMS update, GASB Update, with ideas to maximize revenues and reduce expenses.


Sabrina Jenkins, Charleston County SC Housing and Redevelopments Authority’s Executive Assistant/Human Resource

Officer, was featured in The Shriver Report: Women on the Brink; that was published in January 2014. Maria Shriver personally delivered a copy of the report to President Obama. Just a few weeks later, Jenkins received a call informing her that The First Lady was extending an invitation to her to sit in her private box for the upcoming State of the Union Address.

Jenkins and her daughter, Kenya travelled to Washington, DC where they attended a reception at the White House and were able to meet Michelle Obama. Jenkins then went with the other invited guests to the Capitol for the President’s address to Congress and the nation. After listening to the State of the Union Address, Jenkins got the opportunity to briefly talk with the President and take a few pictures.

Jenkins was interviewed by CNN, Jet Magazine and Charleston’s local paper, The Post & Courier. The Charleston County Housing & Redevelopment Authority is proud to say that one of their own was a part of history.

Shown are Kenya Eatman, Sabrina Jenkins and David P. Agnew, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs & Deputy Assistant to the President

Charleston County HA Employee Special Guest for President’s State of

the Union Address

Troop 450, sponsored by the Cairo GA Housing Authority, attended World Thinking Day 2014 hosted by Tift Service

Unit on February 8. It was held at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture & Historic Village on the ABAC campus located in Tifton, GA. Girl Scouts around the world celebrate Thinking Day each year in February. It is a time when all Girl Scout Troops learn about Girl Scouts in other countries by conducting research on the country and on their Girl Scouts.

Troop 450 selected Suriname, a county in South America just north of Brazil. The Troop created swap items and shared them with other Troops. The members’ Swap Item was the Suriname national flower, the 'fajalobi' . The Troop’s food items were peanuts, which is one of the main crops grown in Suriname.

Dr. Renata Elad, ABAC professor of Agribusiness and Economics, from Cameroon (Africa) was the keynote speaker. She shared her life experience as a girl in Cameroon and read a portion of a story to the girls.

All the Girl Scouts received a passport booklet to use as they traveled the world. Girls received a stamp in their passport for each of the countries visited. Other countries represented were Germany, Egypt, Benin, Armenia, and Bangladesh.

Troop Leaders are Teresa Gee-Harris, Kadedra King, Wateasure Simmons, and Geraldine Faulk.

Cairo Housing Girl Scout Troop Participates in “Thinking Day 2014”


The Housing Authority of the City of High Point NC (HPHA) is partnering with Five.12 Collective,

a diverse group of professional artists who share an art gallery on Washington Street in High Point to offer a Community Development through the Artz Program at the Carson Stout Community Center. The HPHA received a grant from the High Point Arts Council to help fund this program for all Public Housing youth

Starting in February, the program is running for two days every week and introduces youth, ages 7 - 18 to the world of art. In addition to art projects in various artistic mediums, participants are exploring the business side of art from marketing their work, professional mounting, framing techniques, and displaying and selling their work. Art enthusiasts and

supporters will have the opportunity to purchase the participants’ art work at art shows and other venues which will help sustain the program.

Jamaal and Kimberly Jones enrolled in the Jackson Housing Authority (JHA) Housing Choice Voucher Family Self Sufficiency Program in May 2011.

Jamaal had two goals he wanted to achieve as a participant in the program. “I began working as a substitute teacher with the Jackson Madison County School which led to a full time position as a Special Education Assistant,” says Jamaal. Jamaal worked as an assistant for five years before going back to school in 2011 to obtain his Master’s Degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University, earning a 3.9 GPA.

Jamaal now teaches at Jackson Central Merry High School as a Special Education Inclusion teacher.

Artz Program Opens the World of Art for High Point Public Housing Children

FSS Participants Complete Program in Jackson TN

Jamaal Jones shows off FSS Escrow check.

The Charleston-Kanawha WV Housing Authority (CKHA) Family Service Program

has initiated a College Prep 1-2-3 Program. These small group and individual sessions primarily assist high school students with several valuable resources that will better prepare them for college, in addition to pointing them towards supplemental financial assistance opportunities.

This program’s necessity has been identified because sadly it appears that many high school students do not concentrate on college until their senior year and have received very little guidance during the most crucial years. Unfortunately, once that senior year arrives, some valuable time and opportunities may have already been lost, according to creators. With this new program, students that reside at CKHA are eligible to work on each of these steps through the Family Service Program:

Component 1: Students are encouraged early on as they start high school to get involved! Some great school activities to consider participating in include team sports, yearbook, band, chorus, and the foreign language club, etc. Students are also encouraged to become more active at church and in the community. Some ideas include volunteerism, tutoring, picking up a part-time or summer job, and attending college preparation programs. Component 2: Outlines interests, achievements, goals and establishes a detailed timeline of preparatory activities that includes things such as deadlines for the: SAT, ACT, FAFSA, and for various scholarships.

Component 3: Formulate an individualized list of college scholarships that are available. Some of these can be applied for each year in high school and college while others are designated for various academic grade levels. Also at this time, it is necessary to begin collecting generic letters of reference that can be recycled for various scholarship opportunities. A reference letter template is provided to illustrate the key elements that should be included.

To date, several students have been receptive to the additional assistance and have also been encouraged to meet with their teachers and guidance counselors at school. The next steps for the College 1-2-3 Program will include enlisting a local college to participate each semester in the program. Plans are also in the works to create a mailer designed to target CKHA’s high school youth to make them aware of the program’s on-going sessions.

College Prep 1-2-3 Program Initiated By Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority


On Saturday, December 21, 2013, the 2013 Holiday Rock the Block

was held at the corner of 10th Street and North Florida Avenue in Lakeland. The Lakeland FL Housing Authority, Benjamin Stevenson, Executive Director, provided rides for its residents of West Lake Homes, John Wright Homes, Colton Meadow, Villas at Lake Bonnet, The New Lake Ridge, and Dakota Park Apartments, so that those who did not have their own transportation could enjoy Rock the Block. During this free family event, residents of the Lakeland Housing Authority and the general community enjoyed free hotdogs, beverages, chips, sno-cones, cotton candy, a bounce house, and wrapped Christmas gifts. Some attendees also

2013 Holiday Rock the Block Event Hosted by Lakeland Housing Authority’s Community Partners

The 2013 Holiday Rock the Block celebration was the largest event held at The Renaissance in the community’s history.

received free haircuts, family portraits, children’s tennis shoes, packages of disposable diapers, and/or one of the 60 bicycles that were given away.

In addition, a distribution of food included more than 2,000 bags of groceries and 450 hams. Children and teens were excited as they received wrapped Christmas gifts – more than 5000 consisting of Bibles, books, DVDs, CDs and more. Amidst the morning of fun, all activities ceased as a special Christmas message was rendered by Pastor Robbie Morrow of Harvest Assembly of God. After the message, many youth and adults asked to receive prayer. Though the weather was chilly, some asked for water baptism in a portable outdoor pool. Shakia Young, the City-Wide Residents Organization (CWRO) Representative at The Renaissance at Washington Oaks, and other CWRO representatives who attended, were very pleased with the event.

Thirteen LHA families each received a free Christmas Turkey & Foods Basket donated by the Lakeland Masonic Lodge No. 52, distributed by lodge members during Rock the Block. This effort was coordinated with LHA by Ronald Rodmon, owner of Rodmon and Rodmon Landscaping in Winter Haven.

New Approach for Charleston-Kanawha FSS Programs Coming Together

Self-sufficiency programs are coming together in a new way at the Charleston-Kanawha WV Housing Authority (CKHA). This new approach recognizes how several events share

the same goals and therefore merges activities together — similar to how classroom projects correlate together and build upon each other in school. This new approach was inspired from two large events that occurred in 2013.


In February, the Goldsboro Housing Authority (GHA) Resident Opportunity & Self-Sufficiency

(ROSS) Program leaders contacted and gathered 27 major community resources to come together and discuss the needs of low-income Goldsboro residents. The Goldsboro Housing Authority houses 12% of the city’s population, plus being the largest organization serving Goldsboro’s low-income families. With many local organizations serving similar populations, the Housing Authority thought it was imperative to bring all service providers to the drawing board to discuss program ideas that could better benefit the community as a whole.

Included in this “think tank” were the local public school system, welfare agencies, transportation services, financial counseling agencies, community colleges, medical clinics, mentor programs, churches, and local businesses. The Goldsboro Housing Authority welcomed each organization to bring their expertise and experiences to the table to help brainstorm services needed and ways to bridge the gaps between services.

During the meeting, community providers identified that a key issue in low-income families succeeding to self-sufficiency is the lack of one person being their main case-manager to walk them through each step of the process. Although each community provider has some form of case-management, their services are limited to only their expertise of service. Housing Authority leaders explained that this is where GHA’s ROSS program can be best utilized. GHA shared their vision of having the ROSS program as a service to residents with future goals of having community providers co-located in their neighborhoods to improve access and service delivery to families. Partners were excited to learn about GHA’s ROSS program, as evidenced by a representative of the local Y.M.C.A., who commented, “Thank you so much for such a lofty idea with bridging the gap between our agencies. Great Job!”

A new excitement has filled the air in the Goldsboro community and the wheels are spinning faster to discover ways to leverage shared resources to better meet needs.

Major Resources Bundled to Advance Goldsboro Housing Authority’s ROSS Program

The High Point Housing Authority (HPHA), in collaboration with the Carson Stout Boys & Girls Club, reached out to the community in an effort to make a difference in the lives of

hundreds of children during the recent holiday season. Through the generous support and contributions of many individuals and organizations who gave from their hearts, a bright Christmas was provided to children currently living in Public Housing.

“We had the opportunity to do something wonderful for the HPHA families and made a difference in the lives of families that may not have had a bright Christmas otherwise. Words cannot express our gratitude. We appreciate everything that was done to make this event a huge success!” says HPHA’s CEO, Angela McGill. “We look forward to next year’s

First Annual Holiday Toy Drive Party Hugh Success

First, there was a Job Fair in May. Through a very successful collaboration with Workforce WV, the gymnasium was filled to capacity with job seekers and employers. Since that event however, the momentum has transitioned into a supplementary series of Job Preparedness Classes. These sessions complement the Job Fair by better preparing residents for both present and future job opportunities that arise. Now residents receive assistance from CKHA Service and Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinators and guest speakers from the community, through new weekly sessions that address topics such as: resumes, interviewing, Workforce WV website navigation, solving transportation issues, answering the tough questions, and tips to maintaining a job.

In October, a Health Fair was created to improve the overall quality of life and to address health issues that might be preventing residents from working or obtaining better job positions. This event was very similar to the Job Fair in that it sparked an opportunity to expand into year-round activities that relate back to this important topic. Spawning from the Health Fair are several new initiatives now underway. One of the new tools that will assist this effort is called the Health eGroup. Group emails now apprise folks of upcoming health and nutrition programs and encourages participation.

Another new program is called “Taste Testers Needed” which was launched in March to coincide with National Nutrition Month. This program is made possible through collaboration with the West Virginia State University Extension Service. During this activity, participants explored how to eat healthy on a budget, prepare foods, learn about food labels, conduct a taste test comparison of generic and named brand foods and, to top it all off, residents enjoyed a demonstration and testing of fruit smoothies.

Some of the overall objectives of all of these ongoing activities include regularly educating and communicating important information, pulling community resources together and serving a variety of resident interests with an innovative approach. Perhaps if all of these activities were combined into one educational package, the selling points on the label might invite customers to use this information to reenergize, feel better, be prepared and obtain the job that they desire.

New FSS Approach — Continued



Tampa Breaks Ground for The Tempo at ENCORE

Spanning 12 city blocks and 40+ acres just north of downtown Tampa, ENCORE! is a master-planned, urban mixed-use redevelopment venture between the Banc of America

Community Development Corp. (BACDC) and the Tampa FL Housing Authority. A $425 million project expected to be under construction for the next 5 to 7 years, ENCORE! is named in honor of the rich musical history of Downtown Tampa’s Central Avenue in its heyday - where Tampa’s historic Central Avenue once boomed with businesses and thrived as a music district where jazz legends penned songs and performed often.

The Tempo at ENCORE will be a seven story, 203-unit, multi-family apartment community with total development costs of $43,437,394.

Once complete, more than 2,500 people will call ENCORE! home. Already, The Ella at ENCORE! welcomed residents and is 100% occupied. The Trio at ENCORE!, open to families, singles, seniors, with 141 apartment homes, will grand open in April 2014. The Reed at ENCORE! is under construction and will be home to active, senior residents in 158 one and two-bedroom apartment homes.

Developer Partners:Together, BACDC and THA are demonstrating

their overall commitment to the revitalization of distressed neighborhoods within an urban core to attract additional outside investment by creating ENCORE!, a vibrant, sustainable community in Downtown Tampa.

BACDC, the oldest, largest and most productive bank-owned community development corporation, is committed to the development of high quality, mixed-income, mixed-use urban neighborhoods that act as a catalyst to stabilize and revitalize communities. ENCORE! is one of many redevelopments around the country that illustrate BACDC’s ability to structure complex financing transactions that include significant public support, including various federal, state and local grants.

THA, incorporated in 1939, develops and manages mixed-income rental housing opportunities to more than 21,000 residents in the Tampa Bay Area, as well as administers Housing Assistance Payments to an additional 45,000 households in the State of Florida and Virgin Islands.

weathered the cuts have suffered staff layoffs, furloughs and hiring freezes that have increased caseloads, in turn affecting their ability to administer the complex, regulation-ridden Voucher program.The FY 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act does provide some relief: the administrative fees line item goes from a FY 2013 enacted level of $1.258 billion to $1.485 billion for FY 2014. Even with the bump in fees, however, HUD is estimating Housing Authorities will still face a proration of approximately 74 to 75 percent of eligibility.SERC believes Housing Authorities can more efficiently serve families with their housing needs if Congress provides $1.782 billion for administrative fees in 2015, enough to bring fees up to around a 90 percent proration of eligibility.

SMALL HOUSING AUTHORITY REFORM PROPOSAL (SHARP)SERC encourages passage of S. 576, the Small Public Housing Agency Opportunity Act of 2013, a variation of the previously considered Small Housing Authority Reform Proposal designed to provide regulatory relief to 80 percent of the 3,200 Public Housing authorities that administer only a small fraction of the financial resources provided through the Public Housing and Voucher programs. These small agencies (those operating fewer than 550 Public Housing units and vouchers combined) would be the primary beneficiaries of the Small Public Housing Agency Opportunity Act, which introduces a number of significant reforms, including revised assessment systems, alternative rent structures, fungibility of housing assistance, and other time-and cost-saving measures. We encourage House of Representatives members to sponsor similar legislation in the House and ask that our Senators encourage a vote on S. 576.

PORTABILITYThe portability procedure in the Housing Choice Voucher Program is broken. Current portability procedures as outlined in HUD's PIH Notice 2012-42 describe 24 steps an initial Housing Authority must take and 21 steps for the receiving Housing Authority. In addition, many of these steps must be taken multiple times. This demonstrates the portability system is unwieldy, confusing and administratively time consuming. Unfortunately, HUD's proposed portability reform rules, where comments were filed nearly two years ago, remain outstanding. SERC calls on Congress to authorize or direct HUD by a date certain to put in place viable options to reform the portability process.

The portability option Voucher holders can exercise hurts in particular Small Housing Authorities with low fair market rents/payment standards and the needy families in their small communities. Essentially, when a voucher holder "ports" to a higher cost area and that voucher is not absorbed by the receiving authority, the initial Housing Authority's housing assistance payment to the receiving Housing Authority may be double or more for that family than what it would be in the initial Housing Authority's jurisdiction. The result is that Small Housing Authorities are unable to assist as many local families and their administrative fee problems are worsened in that initial Housing Authorities receive just 20 percent of administrative fees for port-billing vouchers.SERC proposes that Congress amend the law by requiring receiving Housing Authorities to immediately absorb incoming vouchers if their unit or budget authority utilization is less than 95 per cent. In any case,

receiving Housing Authorities should be required to absorb ported families within 90 days of the initial lease. Further, it should be at each Housing Authority's option whether it will port a family to an area where the Fair Market Rent (FMR) exceeds the initial Housing Authority's FMR by more than 10%.

HUD-VETERANS ASSISTED SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (HUD-VASH)Housing Authorities within the SERC region support incremental HUD-VASH vouchers for FY 2015 in the amount of $75 million, the same amount as was provided this year. By working closely with Veterans Administration hospitals, Housing Authorities are able to provide affordable housing in the private market for veterans who are both homeless and receiving supportive services from the Veterans Administration. Absent incremental vouchers, Housing Authorities will be hard-pressed to use their scarce supply of Housing Choice Vouchers to serve homeless veterans in FY 2015.

PROGRAM REFORMSThe passage of the 2014 appropriations act saw some programmatic changes that will benefit Housing Authorities administratively and at the same time help cut HAP costs, and for that we thank Congress and the Administration for allowing those changes to be included in the budget. There are, however, other actions Congress and HUD can take to cut program and administrative costs:* For Section 8 tenant-based voucher, Public Housing and project-based programs, enact a provision allowing a three-year recertification for households with a fixed income. This would modify annual certification requirements to permit Housing Authorities to recertify fixed-income families (those with more than 90 percent of income from a combination of Social Security, SSI, governmental and private pensions, and similar periodic payments) only every three years, resulting in some administrative savings.* Because of the time-consuming nature of annually collecting utility consumption and cost data, allow Housing Authorities to develop their utility charts based on one structure type only. Currently, most Housing Authorities must determine utility costs for four different types of structures (detached, semi-detached, row and mobile homes). Additionally, Congress should require HUD to share utility costs with Housing Authorities and allow them, if they so desire, to utilize these estimated utility costs as standard allowances.* Allow Housing Authorities to implement reduced voucher payment standards in a more timely manner. SERC recommends that Congress require HUD to reduce the current time frames required of agencies to implement reduced payment standards from the households' second reexamination to the greater of 90 days from the date the household is notified or a household's lease anniversary date. This would provide Housing Authorities with the opportunity to more quickly remedy their funding shortfalls within the existing HAP amounts provided while not imposing undue hardships on families or owners.* Give Housing Authorities the option to increase the minimum rent paid by Public Housing and Voucher Program tenants from $50 to $100 per month. There should, however, be no subsidy offsets so that Housing Authorities can assist additional families and hardship provisions should be included.



Project Developing Opportunities to Excel (D.O.E.) is an eight multi-county community and faith-based collaborative between seven North Carolina Housing Authorities, four

non-profit agencies and one Pre-Kindergarten-12th grade local education agency. The program is an AmeriCorps VISTA Project supported by a grant from the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service. The project serves economically disadvantaged youth and adults in the areas of education and economic opportunity and assists them in improving their quality of life.

At Greensboro Housing Authority (GHA), the program has recruited three excellent AmeriCorps

volunteers who have begun working with its residents to provide services. During the holiday season, the volunteers assisted with delivering fruit to residents and a toy-give-away for GHA’s young residents.

They also assist teachers at Greensboro’s Wiley Elementary school with one-on-one reading with Kindergarten students and help residents at the Smith Homes computer lab with resumes, job search and college registration/course work.

The Americorps volunteers are now working with children in GHA’s Ray Warren Homes computer lab assisting with homework and working towards improved computer skills for the school-aged children.

Project Developing Opportunities to Excel Program Helps Provide Services to Residents of Seven

North Carolina Housing Authorities

A young GHA resident receives instruction from Americorps Volunteer Chikita Dickens.

Holiday Toy Drive Party — Continuedcelebration and hope everyone will come out and be a part of this wonderful occasion!”

The gifts were distributed to the HPHA families by McGill and Thomas Falgout, President of the Boys & Girls Club at Carson Stout, at a Christmas gathering on December 19, 2013 at the Carson Stout Boys & Girls Club in High Point.

Americorps Volunteer Khrystal Scott delivers fruit to residents during the holiday season.

claudette Gill, a Housing Choice Voucher Recipient at the Charleston County SC Housing and Redevelopment Authority, joined the Authority’s FSS Program in October of 2009 to receive assistance with establishing a trucking business. Her Goals included:

1) Attend Business/Bookkeeping Courses. 2) Obtain Truck Broker License.3) Open Savings Account.After years of being a long distance Truck Driver,

Gill, who is also a single parent, decided that she needed to stay local to benefit her family. Shortly after she gained employment at a local trucking company, she was laid off and found herself in need of housing assistance.

Immediately after becoming a Voucher Recipient, Gill joined the Family Self- Sufficiency Program (FSS), and began working toward her goals. She began a job as an independent trucking dispatcher. The job allowed her to save money for her courses and truck broker license, while learning the administrative side of the trucking trade.

With the help of a local public non-profit organization and a private mentor, Gill developed a business plan. She also became a licensed truck broker and was able to establish Gill Trucking in 2012.

“You have to be determined to rise above your station in life and take advantage of every opportunity available. I saved money.” Gill said. “I ate Vienna sausages and Oodles of Noodles for a whole year to make it happen. I just saved, saved, saved.” In 2011, Gill used the funds from her personal savings account to purchase her first truck for $3,200.00. Now she is the owner of Gill Trucking Company which employs eight people.

Gill, who is an inspiration to all, received a home loan approval letter in May of 2013 and graduated from the Family Self- Sufficiency Program that June, using her escrow funds as a down payment on her new home.

Charleston County Resident Marks Success With FSS Graduation . . . A New Business . . . and

Becoming A New Homeowner

* As smaller agencies do not have the general resources to use the data, remove GPNA requirements and other such energy modeling studies for Housing Authorities with fewer than 1,000 Public Housing units.* Allow Housing Authorities to retain a three-month level of HAP reserves prior to HUD making any offsets from monthly disbursements to housing agencies.* Allow fungibility between Housing Assistance Payments renewal funding and Administrative Fees. * Allow Housing Authorities to retain 100 percent of fraud recoveries in the voucher program. HOUSING PRODUCTIONCongress has not funded a program for the construction of Public Housing units since 1995. The number of households needing assistance has increased over time yet the number of available affordable housing units has remained basically unchanged or has decreased. SERC members urge Congress to take steps to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing in 2015.HOUSING TRUST FUNDThe Housing Trust Fund is one method of spurring housing production. SERC urges Congress to provide $1 billion in funding in 2015 for the Housing Trust Fund, which was authorized under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and would provide formula-based allocations to states to finance the development, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable rental and homeowner housing. Unfortunately, in the six years since it was created, the Housing Trust Fund has never been capitalized. SERC asks Congress to not only capitalize the Trust Fund, but to ensure Housing Authorities have access to the Trust Fund for the preservation of their Public Housing stock.COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTSCommunity Development Block Grants (CDBG) are the cornerstone of community revitalization efforts. The 2014 budget provides $3.3 billion, or about $48 million less than in 2013. Unfortunately, CDBG formula funding has declined 31 percent from FY 2004 to FY 2014. The CDBG Program is one of the most effective forms of federal assistance available to local governments because of its flexibility and local determination of community needs and it should be sufficiently funded.LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROGRAMThe Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program is a vital tool for those working to expand the affordable housing inventory. SERC urges lawmakers to permanently extend the minimum nine percent and four percent credit rates enacted in the 2008 recovery act.

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SERCulator Deadlines

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Summer ... June 1

2638 Gabriels Creek Rd.Mars Hill, NC 28754

April 28-30 .............TAHRA Spring Workshop, Franklin, TNMay 18-20 ...............CCHRCO Spring Workshop, Greensboro, NCMay 18-20 ...............GAHRA Spring Conference, Macon, GAJune 15-18 ..............SERC Annual Conference, Orlando, FLJuly 17-19 ...............NAHRO Summer Conference, Tampa, FLAugust 11-13 ..........AAHRA Annual Conference, Sandestin, FLAugust 12-15 ..........MAHRO Annual Conference, Biloxi, MSAugust 24-26 ..........CCHRCO Annual Conference, Hilton Head Island, SCSeptember 14-16 ....TAHRA Annual Conference, Orange Beach, ALSeptember 14-17 ....KHA Annual Conference, Covington, KYSeptember 21-23 ....GAHRA Annual Conference, Hilton Head Island, SCOctober 16-18 .........NAHRO National Conference, Baltimore, MDNovember 2-4 .........SERC Fall Workshop, Charleston, SC

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