NEWS BRIEF
August 2018
Message from President Marsha Parham
It was exciting to see so many MARC/NAHRO representatives at the NAHRO Annual Conference in San Francisco. More importantly, we had an opportunity to meet as a board and develop great strategies for the 2019 MARC Annual Conference. Thank you in advance to the Maryland State Chapter – MARHA for agreeing to host.
 
Congratulations to all the agencies that won Awards of Merit for their programs and initiatives. MARC was well represented.

Baltimore County Office of Housing
               Mobility Counseling Program
               Family Self Sufficiency
               Housing Search Program
Hightstown Housing Authority
               Environmental Projects become Learning Tools at HA
Madison Housing Authority
               Joint Venture in Developing Affordable Housing
               Unique Design for Affordable Housing
Clarion County Housing Authority
               Northwest 9 Program
Housing Authority of Northumberland County
               Phoenix Court Apartments
Housing Authority for the County of Beaver
               Crestview Village Exterior Renovations
Philadelphia Housing Authority
               Blumberg Phase I
Housing Authority of the County of Chester
               The Whitehall – Affordable Veterans Housing
Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County
               Choices Program
Westmoreland County Housing Authority
               Nothing Old about this New Senior Initiative
               Striving for Financial Security, Independence
Housing Authority of the City of Meadville
               STEM Connection After-School Program
Reading Housing Authority
               Berks Community Health Center
 
Please continue to submit your accomplishments to our Service Officer so that we can celebrate all the wonderful work happening in our Region. See you in Atlanta!

Regards,

Marsha J. Parham
President 
Regional News
 PHA’s Philly SEEDs Scholarship Program Sets Record
PhillySEEDS, Inc., a Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) subsidiary, has honored 71 PHA residents seeking higher education with $270,000 in scholarships. That’s a record for both the number of recipients and the dollar amount. Philly SEEDs, Inc., also received a record number of applicants: 108.

The awards were handed out during the PHA Board Meeting at the John F. Street Center.

Of the 71 college students receiving scholarships:
•11 with GPAs between 2.50 and 2.99 received $1,000
•11 with GPAs between 2.50 and 2.99 received $1,000
•11 with GPAs between 2.50 and 2.99 received $1,000

“Through this award winning scholarship program, PHA empowers residents and helps families reach self-sufficiency as they access the education and training resources necessary for them to succeed in a competitive economy and in life,” said PHA President & CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “Congratulations to our scholars on their academic achievement and continued success in the new school year!”

PhillySEEDS, Inc. is an award-winning, 501(c) (3), charitable, non-profit corporation founded by PHA to promote the social and economic advancement of PHA-assisted residents through philanthropic activities, community-based partnerships, and special initiatives.  
PhillySEEDS, Inc., a PHA charitable subsidiary, honored 71 PHA residents seeking higher education with $270,000 in scholarships during the July Board of Commissioners meeting. That’s a record for both the number of recipients and the dollar amount. Scholarships of one, three, and five thousand dollars were awarded. A total of almost $1.3 million has now been awarded to 343 residents since this award-winning program began in 2013.  
Shown here, one of the scholarship winners is congratulated by PHA President and CEO Kelvin Jeremiah as her son views the award. Also shown are (l-r) Commissioner Asia Coney, City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and Commissioner Bonnie Camarda.
(PHILADELPHIA –August 10, 2018) – The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has once again provided a real boost to school age residents for the upcoming school year, thanks to the agency’s 7th annual book bag giveaway.
 The annual back to school celebration on August 10th at the John F. Street Community Center in North Philadelphia included book bag distribution to children who attend summer camps at several PHA sites, and children from the surrounding community who receive services from the housing authority.
PHA will provide a total of 2,500 book bags stuffed with school supplies to PHA residents at 23 sites across the city between now and August 24 th . School begins in the city on August 27th. 
“Young people have a better chance of prospering with a good education, not to mention the ability to better their communities and families,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “Education is a game changer in the lifetime of a person’s existence. Today’s event is one of the ways that PHA demonstrates its commitment to educational advancement.”
Today’s event also introduced students and parents to the Police Advisory Committee that works with PHA Police to promote public safety and community support at housing developments. The Youth Ambassadors performed a skit on nonviolence in support of the Committee’s work.
The book bag giveaway began seven years ago under the auspices of Philly SEEDS Inc., a 501(c) (3) tax- exempt organization. The mission of Philly SEEDS Inc. is to promote the social and economic advancement of PHA residents through philanthropic activities, community based partnerships, and special initiatives.
Philly SEEDS Inc. is an award-winning program with services that are designed to help residents become fully self-sufficient. 
PHA Prepares Kids
for the Start of School
Shown here, dancers from the group “Barely Teens” entertained on stage as part of the event.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority once again provided a real boost to school age residents for the upcoming school year, thanks to the agency’s 7th annual book bag giveaway.
PHA will provide a total of 2,500 book bags stuffed with school supplies to PHA residents at 23 sites across the city between now and August 24th. School begins in the city on August 27th. 
Click below to see entire press release
HABC and Baltimore City Awarded $30 million
from HUD to Transform the Perkins Somerset Oldtown Community
Baltimore is one of five cities to
receive the highly competitive award

Director Janet Abrahams, Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, Department of Housing & Community
Development Housing Commissioner Michael Braverman, elected officials, residents and partners joined U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Joe DeFelice as he announced a $30 million grant for HABC and the City of Baltimore to implement their neighborhood transformation plan. The grant, which is provided through HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, will help revitalize the Perkins Somerset Oldtown (PSO) neighborhoods.

“HABC would like to thank HUD for awarding a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation
Grant to HABC and the City of Baltimore to fulfill our long-term vision of transforming the Perkins,
Somerset, Old Town area,” said Executive Director Janet Abrahams. “We are very excited to take the next step with our federal, state, city and community partners in this major redevelopment project, which will replace distressed public housing with high quality housing for people from all income levels and create new education, recreation and economic opportunities that will connect residents to the tools they need to achieve their personal goals.”

North Bergen Housing Renovated Community Room Ribbon Cutting
The work done was a total gut renovation of the community room. New floors, new ceiling grid, tiles, lights. We also removed the old exterior walls due to cold drafts and heat loss and installed new exterior walls to create a more energy efficient building envelope. We ripped up the old tiles on the floor and installed new floor tiles. We also installed new cabinets and counter tops in the kitchen and increased the size of the kitchen by 12 square foot. The original cost of the project was $467,700.  
First Ever Family Day Celebration
Meadowview Village celebrates the North Bergen Housing Authority’s first-ever Family Day. This great event offers an opportunity to celebrate all of the families that call Meadowview Village home. Those in attendance got to enjoy rides, activities, food and prices.

Our event consisted of arts and crafts, " What home means to me contest", Hula Hoop, Jump Rope, Bouncy House, Limbo, Tattoos, Face Painting,water balloons, ice cream, lots of food, and great music. 
We also had the Army, Lincoln Tech School, A local Pharmacist, and our local library on site.
Art & Pizza Party
and Gallery Night
In April, the NCC Department of Community Services partnered with DE-NAHRO to host an “Art and Pizza Party,” providing children from the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program a night out, a meal and the chance to create art posters for DE-NAHRO’s 2018 “What Home Means to Me” Poster Contest. This was the fourth year for this event, which featured two local teaching artists and was attended by over 35 kids and their families.
Then in July, HCV and other Department staff came together again to welcome those families – and the broader community – to “Gallery Night.” At this second event, we revealed the winners of the poster contest – of whom six out of nine had created posters at our previous event – and put all of art entries on display in a gallery-style setting to give the kids a real sense of their artistic accomplishments. In addition to the winners’ prizes from DE-NAHRO, Each child received a certificate from County Executive Matt Meyer, as well as a small art kit from New Castle County in recognition of their work.
This pair of events for our HCV families – “Art and Pizza Party” and “Gallery Night” – have become a popular yearly tradition for our department as well as for the families we serve, several of whom have come back year after year. Seeing the kids’ talent – and keen observations – both in progress and on display is a wonderful reminder of what we in housing work for; and the chance to watch returning kids grow and develop their passions is truly rewarding.
Housing Authority of the County of Beaver
Received First Place at Best Apartment Complex

The Housing Authority of the County of Beaver, Beaver, Pennsylvania received First Place as Best Apartment Complex in the 2018 Beaver of the Valley Community Choice Awards sponsored by the Beaver County Times and voted by its readership.  

The Authority also received the 2018 Spotlight Award from the United Way of Beaver County in recognition of HACB’s volunteerism and corporate and employee financial contributions for its member agencies .
MARC Membership Committee
If you are new to the affordable housing industry or have been in the industry for years, the benefits to joining MARC NAHRO are:
  • Professional Development via courses, publications, and member only resources on our website.
  • Regional recognition of Outstanding Achievements. At the MARC annual conference, eighteen Awards of Merit winners were presented with plaques for outstanding achievement.
  • Network with local and national industry leaders at regional and national conferences. 
  • Ability to post job listings/company advertisements on website.
  • Reduced rates for conferences, seminars at regional training centers and on-site locations.
  • Be a part of the exciting Housing America events.
  • Scholarships
  • Access to opportunities that will certify and enhance the skills of your staff.
  • Monthly newsletters with regional news, national news, job postings and more.
NAHRO NEWS



Would You Like to Lead NAHRO?



Are you energetic, flexible, creative, honest, reliable, passionate and knowledge about our industry and are willing to make a commitment to serve our noble industry? Consider running for NAHRO president or senior vice president—we want to hear from you! 
 
NAHRO invites Associates and Allied Individual members who intend to seek the office of either president or senior vice president to formally communicate their intention to David Zappasodi, Chair of the Nominating and Election Committee (N&E), via email  [email protected]  by September 15. 
 
Traditionally, campaigning commences at national conferences in even-numbered years. At this year’s conference, scheduled October 25-27, 2018 in Atlanta, GA, individuals may announce their candidacy at a plenary session and place an ad in the conference program (specifications will be provided to candidates).  September 15 is also the deadline for submission of conference program ads.
 
The 2019 election is more than a year away; thus, individuals will have numerous opportunities to announce their candidacy prior to the hybrid election in the fall of 2019. Note, however, in accordance with the Guidelines for National Office Campaigns, candidates are prohibited from making any public announcements of their candidacy prior to the National Conference and Exhibition in Atlanta, GA.
Details about the election are on the N&E’s webpage  Nominating and Election Committee
The N&E has oversight responsibility for the election and certifies the election results. 
 
Questions? Contact  Sylvia Bowen at  [email protected]  or 202 580-7201.
NAHRO’s comprehensive agenda of educational and informational opportunities enables participants to learn firsthand from recognized experts. From basic to advanced learning, NAHRO offers indispensable sessions, courses, & briefings throughout the year on vital topics impacting the industry.

Check out  All Trainings  for a comprehensive list of our professional development opportunities & make sure to visit our Training Calendar for our most current offerings! 
Job Openings
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DC Housing Authority - Washington, DC

Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County - Glen Burnie, MD

Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis, MD

Philadelphia Housing Authority - Philadelphia, PA
MARC NAHRO State Chapters
Do you have news to share from your agency?
E mail MARC Regional Service Officer, Kristen Damazio
at [email protected] or call 202-580-7203.