THE LATEST NEWS   October 2015

In this Issue: 

President's Message

Do you like the direction of PNRC?  How about the Annual Conference?  Have you taken a look at the trainings offered this Fall?  What do you think of the monthly newsletter?  All of the benefits that PNRC brings to you, and your organization, are due to your feedback, the willingness of leadership to listen and the amazing work of Regional Service Officer, Kristen Damazio.  I believe that PNRC will become more crucial to your success than ever before.
 
As many of us attend the National Conference in Los Angeles, the season of change is upon us.  There are new positions for each of us to fill in our local, regional and national boards and committees.  I urge each of you to join me in making a renewed commitment to NAHRO as you move into your new positions.  The knowledge and experience that you gain will help you and your organization meet the ever demanding affordable housing need in our communities.
 
I look forward to the enthusiasm that incoming President, Sunny Shaw, will bring to PNRC. The passion that Sunny brings to the position, and to PNRC, will continue to energize the organization. With Sunny's leadership, PNRC will continue to grow and bring new services that will help each of our organizations (salary studies, operating comparison data, and job descriptions).
 
Thank you for reading and I look forward to your feedback,
Lowel Krueger, President
First
Upcoming Regional Professional Development Seminars
Why attend a training in the region?
  1. Low registration fees.
  2. Regional travel is less expensive than national travel.
  3. Networking opportunities with industry professionals from your region.
  4. Professional Development has been a primary service to NAHRO members and others in the industry for over 75 years.
Two
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Commissioners Fundamentals Seminar
October 20th - 21st 
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to noon
Seattle, WA
Hosted by Seattle Housing Authority

Course Description:  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. (1.2 CEUs)

Who Should Attend:  New AND veteran commissioners and new board officers

Price:  $349/PNRC member, $449/non-member. Includes 1 1/2 day training, training materials, morning coffee, lunch and afternoon snack on first day.

Location:  Seattle Housing Authority - 190 Queen Anne Ave N., 5th floor, Seattle, WA 98109

More information: Commissioners Fundamentals 

with Certification Exam
October 20th - 22nd
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (registration at 8 a.m. on first day)
Boise, ID
Hosted by Idaho Housing & Finance Association

Course Description:  Improve 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 Choice Vouchers (CSI-HCV) Certification Exam is offered on the last day of the seminar. New for 2015: This seminar now incorporates NAHRO's Ethics for Specialist module, making it more convenient than ever to meet the requirements for the CSI-HCV Certification. (1.95 CEUs) 

Who Should Attend:  Section 8 Housing Inspectors, Preventative Maintenance Inspectors, and new and seasoned inspectors.

Price:  $850/member, $1050/non-member. Includes three days training, training materials and certification exam.

Location: Idaho Housing & Finance Association - 565 W Myrtle St Boise, ID 83702-7675   

More information on: Housing Quality Standards 


ProDev
Regional NewsRegNews1
Renee Rooker, Foundation for Healthy Generations
Board Member Accepts NAHRO Award of Merit
Left to right: Preston Prince, NAHRO President,Renee Rooker, Walla Walla Housing Authority, Saul Ramirez, NAHRO CEO


The Spokane Housing Authority (SHA) in partnership with Foundation for Healthy Generations implemented an innovative and resident-driven Community Health Advocate (CHA) program to improve the individual and community health of public housing residents.   To read entire submission, click here.






Kennewick Housing Authority Hires New Finance Director

KHA is pleased to announce that Hermelinda Sierra has joined the executive staff of Kennewick Housing Authority as Finance Director.  Terrie Greiner, our former Finance Director retired at the end of July.   KHA staff members are delighted that Ms. Sierra has joined our staff.  Ms. Sierra was the previous Finance Director of the Housing Authority of Skagit County and brings a wealth of expertise to our agency and we are so very lucky to have her join our team.  

Renton's Sunset Area Transformation Project is finalist for Federal Choice Neighborhoods Grant

Renton's Sunset Area Transformation Project is among th e finalists selected to  compete for a federal grant worth up to $30 million that woul d help transform the Sunset Area neighborhood in northeast Renton. 
T o read entire press release, click here. 

Housing Kitsap Hires new Chief Financial Officer

Wendy Dutenhoeffer joins Housing Kitsap as Chief Financial Officer on September 14, 2015 after a competitive recruiting process nationwide.  She has been a finance executive for more than 25 years.  Seven of those years have been in multi-family housing management including Section 8, Section 42, and senior housing.  She comes to Housing Kitsap from Bonneville County as their Director of Finance.  She was responsible for creating detailed work reallocation financial models which created new positions and alleviating skilled overtime costs which resulted in a net cost reduction of 21.4 percent.  She revised business methods and contract services which resulted in an overall operating cost reduction of 54 percent.  She was instrumental in designing and implementing a more transparent and collaborative budget process. 
 
Wendy earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho and is a Certified Property Manager (CPM) from Institute of Real Estate Management, Chicago, Illinois as well as having a certificate in Real Estate from Grossmont/Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, CA.  She also has completed leadership training, project management principles, grants financial management, and several accounting best practices training sessions.  She has a passion for and has been involved in Search and Rescue teams. 

King County Housing Authority Purchases Two Properties Near
Tukwila Light Rail Station 

Acquisition of 286 apartment units will ensure access to affordable housing for working families within walking distance of mass transit

Rising rents are creating economic hardships for working households across the region. Increasingly low-income families and individuals are being forced by economic circumstances to move further away from job and educational opportunities and to become reliant on cars to get to work, health care and school. KCHA, working with County and local governments, is working to preserve affordable housing opportunities within mass transit corridors emerging across the County. Today KCHA is announcing the acquisition of two apartment complexes, with 286 units, adjacent to the Tukwila Light Rail Station. These acquisitions are the first phase of a plan to develop or preserve at least 800 units of affordable housing within easy reach of mass transit over the next five years.   To read entire story, click here. 

New Affordable Apartments, Renovations Financed

Hundreds of new affordable apartments and renovations to existing ones will be financed through $48.5 million approved yesterday by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Click here to read entire story. 

Cook Inlet Housing Authority Receives $3 million Arts Grant

Cook Inlet Housing Authority is getting into the art business after receiving a
$3 million grant from ArtPlace America.  CIHA was one of six groups from around the country selected out of more than 260 applicants to receive the funds in the new initiative, said ArtPlace executive director Jamie Bennett. 

  Jobs1
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
  • Laborer, Juneau/Job #33-15. Union position, $18.80/hour. Applications Due: 09/15/2015. 
     
  • Infrastructure Administrator II - III, Anchorage/Job #40-15. Level 19/20 (DOE) position, $5,285.86 - $6,456.19/month (DOE). Applications will be accepted until position is filled.  
  • Laborer, Fairbanks/Job #42-15. Union position, $19.57/hour. Applications Due: 10/22/2015.
     
  • Housing Program Specialist I, Anchorage/Job #43-15. Level 12 position, $3,283.52/month. Applications Due: 10/27/2015.
Housing Authority of Jackson County (Medford, OR)
  • Project Developer - $3,679 - $4,841 per month plus an excellent benefit package. Closing Date: October 30, 2015.
Housing Kitsap (Bremerton, WA)
Kennewick Housing Authority (Kennewick, WA)
 Tacoma Housing Authority