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Senior Vice President's Message
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Greeting PRNC-NAHRO Members!
We are getting ready and excited for the upcoming 2018 PNRC-NAHRO Annual Conference in Renton, WA on May 7 and 8th. This year, we are using a smart phone app instead of a hard copy conference program. You can download it now and use it to find information about the conference.
We have two amazing speakers, Sasha Abramsky and Tiffany Manuel, who will motivate you and share why our work is important for struggling folks who are trying to survive and improve circumstances for their families.
National NAHRO President and CEO will join us to provide updates and emphasize regional NAHRO efforts as an important part of our work and training.
Go to
http://my.yapp.us/PNRC2018
to download the app on your smart device. The conference planning committee has worked hard to line up valuable content as you network with your colleagues. Check out our website or the app for updated information on sessions and speakers.
The Casterline Financial Update and Commissioner Fundamentals classes are back again following the conference on May 9 and 10th.
The Housing America Poster Contest deadline has been extended until April 27.
This is a great opportunity to engage kids in your programs, combining art and the importance of having a home. Details are on the PNRC website.
Congress recently passed a two-year budget deal, which is a positive sign on its own. We hope and wish that lawmakers will do the right thing and fully fund Federal housing and community development programs in 2018 and 2019. Sadly, I am not hopeful with the President's 2019 budget, which includes even more drastic cuts than last year. However, we are not giving up.
Our country is dealing with many real issues that are worthy of conversation and need our attention, but we must remain steadfast and advocate for struggling citizens in the richest nation in the world. We are taking a dedicated group of regional advocates back to Washington DC this year on April 22 and 23rd as part of NAHRO's Annual Washington Conference to do just that. Let me know what is important to you and the message we need to take back.
Saeed Hajarizadeh
PNRC President and
Deputy Executive Director
Vancouver Housing Authority
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2018 PNRC-NAHRO Annual Conference
May 6-8, 2018
Hyatt Regency Lake Washington
at Seattle's Southport
Early Bird Member Registration only $260
Includes breakfast, lunch and snack breaks both days and cocktail reception on Monday.
- Keynote Speaker each day as well as Adrianne Todman, NAHRO CEO; Carl Richie, NAHRO President; Sunny Shaw, NAHRO Senior Vice President; Tess Hembree, NAHRO Advocacy Field Coordinator/Legislative Liaison
- 30 Breakout sessions for those in Finance, Maintenance, Management & Leadership, Resident Services, Section 8 & Public Housing as well as a special track of Innovations
- 25 Exhibitors in a beautiful exhibit area overlooking Lake Washington
From a small agency or an agency
Introducing the Career Enhancement Initiative
PNRC has created a new initiative that will allow two people to apply for a grant to to attend the PNRC Annual Conference.
Applications must be emailed to Kristen Damazio, RSO, at kdamazio@nahro.org by
April 1, 2018. Applications will then be scored by the Scholarship Committee and two winners will be selected. Winners will be notified by April 13, 2018.
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Regional News
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Sustainable-energy projects help keep Washington green
Puget Sound businesses save money, generate energy through
Commission financing
SEATTLE, Wash. -
A solar rooftop for a grocery store in south Kitsap, energy improvements for a new addiction-treatment facility in Seattle, and a biodigester on Vashon Island are the latest projects to be financed through the Sustainable Energy Trust (SET).
The three projects total $1.6 million in loans from the SET, a revolving loan fund of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission that finances energy-efficient and renewable-energy projects around the state.
"Energy savings make a huge difference for any organization - whether it's a grocery store or a nonprofit - and we're happy to partner with the Food Market, Valley Cities, and Impact Bioenergy in their efforts to keep Washington green," said Karen Miller, chair of the Housing Finance Commission.
- The new biodigester on Vashon Island will be installed at Island Spring Organics, a tofu manufacturer. Island Spring will use the biodigester to generate gas, heat and power from an estimated 185 tons of organic waste each year. The biodigester is owned by Impact Bioenergy, a Washington-based organization that develops and manufactures bioenergy products that enable communities and businesses to turn food waste into a renewable energy source.
"Impact Bioenergy is thrilled to partner with the Vashon Island community, our state Housing Finance Commission and the Clean Energy Fund, to enable more sustainable and holistic solutions," said Srirup Kumar of Impact Bioenergy. "This project is at the nexus of local food, energy and water and even benefits disaster preparedness and resiliency thanks to decentralized organics recycling."
- The Food Market at Key Center in Lakebay, one of four independently owned grocery stores in south Kitsap and King counties, expects to generate enough power from its new rooftop photovoltaic solar system to offset over 40% of its refrigeration costs-and keep its prices low.
"Power costs will do nothing but go up," said owner Don Stolz. "We're there to support the community and provide good quality at a reasonable price."
- On Seattle's Beacon Hill, Valley Cities used the Commission's Land Acquisition Program loan to purchase property, and a SET loan to finance part of the substantial renovation of an existing building into its new Recovery Place Seattle. The intensive residential facility for substance-abuse rehabilitation opened October 19 and expects to serve 1,500 people a year.
"Without financial support for the purchase and renovation, this building would have been torn down and in its place would be dozens of townhomes," said Ken Taylor, CEO of Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care. "Now there is hope for thousands of people and their families."
The energy upgrades to the HVAC and lighting systems will help the building exceed compliance with the Washington State Energy Code by at least 10%.
For more information about the Sustainable Energy Trust, visit wshfc.org/energy.
Kennewick Housing Authority is growing again!
Nueva Vista Phase II LLLP is building 28 units of affordable housing; 14 units will be designated forhomeless families and another 6 units designated for persons with disabilities. Five units will be designated for participants in the 811 Project-Based Rental Assistance program. Fourteen project-based vouchers will be assigned to the project for use by tenants who were previously homeless.
All tenants in this new community will have an income level at or below 50% area median income.
The new community is located adjacent to the Nueva Vista project and near a number of community resources such as a grocery store, urgent care center, bus service, schools, parks and other retail stores. A computer lab will be shared with the tenants of Nueva Vista and on-site family self-sufficiency activities will be available.
KHA plans to work with other service providers in our area to create multiple opportunities for these families to build skills and become more self-sufficient.
The Vera Institute of Justice (Vera)-with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)-is soliciting applications from public housing authorities (PHA) that, in collaboration with their justice system partners, are seeking technical assistance to plan and implement reentry programs and/or change their admissions policies regarding people with conviction histories. PHAs that manage their own units as well as those administering housing choice voucher programs are eligible to apply. The goals of this initiative are to:
1.
Safely increase access to housing for people with conviction histories;
2.
Improve the safety of public housing and surrounding communities through the use of reentry housing strategies; and
3.
Promote collaboration between public housing authorities, law enforcement agencies, and other criminal justice stakeholders to effectively reduce crime and improve reentry outcomes for people leaving prisons and jails.
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Register Now for the Washington Conference!
We are thrilled to invite you to the first of our year-long Innovate 2018 conference series! At our Washington Conference, you will hear from budget and political experts and receive the latest affordable housing and community development policy and budget updates from HUD and Capitol Hill. In addition, as part of NAHRO's Capitol Hill Day, you'll have the opportunity to refresh your advocacy skills before heading to the Capitol to educate your members of Congress about the critical role that housing and community development programs play in your neighborhoods and communities.
Don't miss your chance to make an IMPACT in Washington, D.C.
"What Home Means to Me" Poster Contest
As part of NAHRO's Housing America campaign, a poster contest is held each year for children residing in
a
ffordable housing and community developments owned or administered by NAHRO member agencies. Posters reflect the national theme of "What Home Means to Me." The contest is a collaborative effort of NAHRO's chapter/state, regional, and national organizations. National honorees are selected from chapter/state-level winning entries.
The 2019 contest launched on January 9th and that means it's time for you to invite the youth in your agencies to participate.
The 2018 Calendar features artwork from three youths in our region including the Grand Prize winner that is featured on the cover. We'd like to see that again! We know that there are many talented youths out there and we want to showcase that talent.
The contest participation is open to all children residing in affordable housing assisted directly or supported under community development and affordable housing programs administered by a NAHRO member authority (i.e., public or Section 8-assisted housing CDBG, HOME, LIHTC).
Contest Entry Rules (poster sizes must be 22" x 28" to be considered) and information about prizes are now on the Housing America Campaign
website. Please note that each poster must be accompanied by both an application form and a narrative form.
Regional Competition and Prizes
Agencies in the Pacific Northwest Region are asked to send their submissions to:
PNRC
Attn: Kristen Damazio, RSO
718 Griffin Ave. #285
Enumclaw, WA 98022
Deadline has been extended to April 27th.
The posters will be taken to the PNRC Annual Conference (being held May 6-8, 2018) where a winner will be selected from each age category. The three winners will each receive a $50 gift card from PNRC and their poster will be submitted to NAHRO for the national competition.
National honorees will be selected by a Blue Ribbon panel of judges to be assembled by National NAHRO staff. National honorees will be officially announced during Housing America Month in October. All eight NAHRO regions will be represented in the calendar.
Commissioners Fundamentals Training
April 6-7, 2018
Hosted by Housing Authority of the City of Pocatello
This course explores the roles and responsibilities of commissioners, enhancing understanding of the commissioner's multi-faceted position as advocate, leader, team-builder, strategist-and more. Increase your effectiveness as a board member and leader, while exploring the intricacies of board-staff relationships and boundaries. Provides an excellent training foundation for the new commissioners.
Who Should Attend:
New & Veteran Commissioners and New Board Officers
Schedule:
Day 1: 8:00 am - 8:30 am - Check In
Day 1: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm - Training
Day 2: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm - Training
NAHRO Continuing Education Units (CEU's)Training Completion = 1.0
Cost: $350 for PNRC Member
Housing Quality Standards (HQS) w/ Certification Exam
June 4-6, 2018
Hosted by the Vancouver Housing Authority
I
mprove the level of your HCV and PBV/Section 8 Housing Inspections and meet SEMAP requirements. Develop or fine-tune related work skills, review procedures and forms affecting standards, and learn how to evaluate your current operations to identify strengths and challenges. The NAHRO Certified Specialist of Inspection - Housing Quality Standards (CSI-HQS) Certification Exam is offered on the last day of the seminar. This training now incorporates NAHRO's Ethics for Specialist module, making it more convenient than ever to meet the requirements for the CSI-HQS Certification.
Who Should Attend:
Section 8 Housing Inspectors, Preventative Maintenance Inspectors, and new and seasoned Inspectors
Schedule:
Day 1: 8:00am - 8:30am - Check In
Day 1: 8:30am - 4:30pm - Training
Day 2: 8:30am - 4:30pm - Training
Day 3: 8:30am - 2:30pm - Training
Day 3: 2:30pm - 4:30pm - Certification Exam
NAHRO Continuing Education Units (CEU's) Training Completion = 1.75
Certification Exam = 0.20 Total = 1.95
Cost: $750 for PNRC Member
Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income and Rent
Calculation (HCVOEIR) w/ Certification Exam
June 25-29, 2018
Hosted by the Vancouver Housing Authority
This NAHRO Professional Development offering combines two seminars - Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy and Housing Choice Voucher Eligibility, Income, and Rent Calculation - into one comprehensive program. This seminar now meets three of the professional development requirements for NAHRO's Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy Specialist Certification, including the Ethics for Specialist module.
This seminar will provide participants with an understanding of the vast regulatory guidance that has formed and shaped the Housing Choice Voucher program. It focuses on effective interviewing, waitlist management, screening, outreach and marketing, and accurate application of eligibility, income and rent calculation regulatory compliance. The nuts and bolts of dealing with eligibility, income, and rent calculations will be mastered through engaging participants in skill development and practice. Most importantly, this class will equip participants with the necessary skills to reduce errors and avoid HUD findings in compliance audits.
Who Should Attend:
Front line staff, case managers and supervisors responsible for managing wait lists, applications, and certification/recertification tasks.
Schedule:
Day 1: 8:00am - 8:30am - Check In
Day 1: 8:30am - 4:30pm - Training
Day 2: 8:30am - 4:30pm - Training
Day 3: 8:30am - 4:30pm - Training
Day 4: 8:30am - 4:30pm - Training
Day 5: 8:30am - 2:30pm - Training
Day 5: 2:30pm - 4:30 pm - Exam
NAHRO Continuing Education Units (CEU's)
Training Completion = 3.05
Certification Exam = 0.20
Total = 3.25
Cost: $995 for PNRC Member
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Looking for a new job or just want to see what's out there?
If you have position to be posted, please send it to Kristen Damazio,
Regional Service Officer at kdamazio@nahro.org
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