Housing Authority of Champaign County

THE HOUSING HUB

Monthly Newsletter

HACC Wins 8 Awards at

National Conference

HACC Leadership and Board Members had the privilege of attending the NAHRO National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, FL, in late September. During the conference, HACC proudly received 8 awards for special programs and initiatives undertaken over the past two years. The awards recognize the dedication, innovation, and commitment of our entire team in advancing housing opportunities and making a positive impact on our community. Below are the award-winning programs.

Pinewood Place
Community Rescue Plan
YouthBuild Habitat Build
Education and Community Connection Initiative
Mental Health Initiative
Next Steps
YouthBuild City Grants Initiative
Home is Possible Initiative

HACC Adds To The Team

We are excited to announce the addition of Kimberly Stennis to our property management team! Kimberly will be overseeing Oakwood Trace and Douglass Square. We are confident that she will provide exceptional service to our residents.

HACC is thrilled to announce the promotion of Latoya Merriweather to HCV Specialist. Latoya's dedication and hard work have earned her this well-deserved position. In her new role, she will be providing assistance to our clients and vouchers while continuing to contribute to HACC's continued success.

Housing Updates

Landlord Lunch & Learn

Our team recently hosted the monthly HACC Landlord Lunch & Learn for property owners on October 9th. Attendees enjoyed a light lunch from Jimmy Johns while gaining valuable insights from our HCV team on the move process, HAP contracts, and the eviction process.

Housing Choice Voucher Team Hard at Work!

The Housing Choice Voucher team has been hard at work getting families into homes. As of October 1st, HACC has fully exhausted the 2023 waitlist.

Currently, 565 individuals are actively searching for housing, 432 are undergoing eligibility screenings, and 396 applications are pending.

Between September 30th and October 3rd, a total of 72 vouchers were issued, along with four voucher briefings conducted."

Supportive Services

Supportive Services – September 2024

The Housing Authority of Champaign County continues to demonstrate its commitment to assisting families in need throughout September. During the month, a total of 38 families were served, all of whom were new admissions to the program. These families received a variety of essential supportive services, including security deposit assistance, application fee assistance, utility assistance, furniture assistance, and transportation assistance.

Douglass Square Acquisition

Housing Authority of Champaign County is pleased to announce the acquisition of Douglass Square Apartments in Champaign, Illinois.

This 56-unit family housing property marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide affordable housing options within the community.

We plan to implement minor renovations to enhance the living experience for residents and are excited about the positive impact this acquisition will have on the local community

if you have any questions or inquiries about leasing or the waitlist please contact the Property Manager, Kimberly Stennis at kimberlys@hacc.net

HACC YouthBuild

Welcomes Class of 2025!

Introducing the YouthBuild class of 2025! These dedicated young people have already hit the ground running, completing Mental Toughness training, launching construction projects, and passing their flaggers exam.

HACC YouthBuild recently welcomed a new cohort of 22 motivated new members eager to earn their high school diplomas and construction certifications. This month, the students began their academic journey by enrolling in Penn Foster to earn diploma credits.

The last two weeks of each month, the cohort participates in Construction Week, where they tackle two NCCER modules and gain hands-on experience in drywall framing and hanging.

HACC YouthBuild Students - Construction Week Photographed by Peyton Panell-Johnson

Community Outreach

Don't Miss Your Chance to Earn $34,000

Families at HACC's SHIFT Program have an opportunity to earn up to $34,000!

The HUD FSS Program empowers families to achieve financial independence. By offering financial incentives, case management, and supportive services, it helps participants increase their income, save for future goals, and break out of the cycle of poverty. Through this program, families can gain the tools and resources needed to build a brighter future for themselves.

For questions, please email Jamesz@hacc.net

Community Connections Corner at University of Illinois School of Social Work

MTW & Client Outreach Department attended Community Connections Corner at University of Illinois School of Social Work on 10/7/2024. Students were able to ask questions about HACC services, as well as learn about job/internship opportunities.

SafeWorks Illinois Trunk-Or-Treat

"I had an amazing time at the Trunk- Or -Treat Event! The atmosphere was filled with excitement as families and the community gathered to enjoy creatively decorated trucks and variety of treats. It was heartwarming to see the community come together with their children dressed up in costumes, laughing, playing games, face painting, passing out candy and food. I really had a great time serving the community and being a part of the event." - Mariah Collins, Supportive Services Coordinator

The SHIFT program has been fundamental for me in the sense that the program’s initiative aligns with my personal goals. The program promotes self-sufficiency based on an individual’s particular needs and what they want to achieve. The goal-based financial incentives presented has shown me how to budget more accurately, and to hold myself accountable for the decisions that I make that can affect my family.

The case managers are extremely helpful in empowering their participants in a positive way to ensure success. I have particularly liked the many workshops on financial freedom and homeownership, and resources they offer to further your knowledge and training. The incentives can add up to aid in reaching your financial goals. They have assisted with me furthering my college education through offered scholarships. I have also made use of the scholarships they offer for children to aid with summer enrichment.

Overall, the SHIFT program has done a fabulous job of keeping me focused by having personal and financial goals to achieve connected to incentivized benefits. The SHIFT program allows my family to utilize the steppingstones offered to achieve the outcome of self-sufficiency.

-Chandré Johnson

National Taco Tuesday!

HACC celebrated National Taco Day on October 1st with a catered taco bar lunch for our senior residents.

Thanks to the dedicated staff, we were able to simultaneously host events at Washington Square, Haven, and Steer Place, featuring delicious food from Dos Reales.

Any leftover tacos were generously donated to Strides Shelter in Champaign.

Voter Registration Day

The Housing Authority of Champaign County hosted a successful voter registration event at our three senior housing properties. Residents had the opportunity to register or confirm their voter status and learn how to read a ballot. Commissioner Turnbull guided residents through the voting process by showing them how to read a ballot.

Announcements

The Housing Authority of Champaign County is offering a grant to help low-income students who have been accepted to an in-state school pay for on-campus housing. Students must be between the ages of 17 and 24, attend an in-state college with on-campus housing, must currently be a part of an HACC Assisted Household and apply by December 1st, 2024.

To apply please email James Zielinski [Jamesz@hacc.net].

HACC IN THE NEWS

HACC CEO Lily Walton nominated for Forty Under 40 | Meet the Class of 2024

Introducing the high achievers and community leaders who make up Central Illinois Business Magazine's 17th Forty Under 40 class - powered by Busey Bank - including Woman of the Year

HACC Board Announcement

Next Board Meeting will be held Thursday, December 12th 2024

Upcoming Events

Washington Square & Steer Place - October 22nd
HACC Trunk or Treat at Haven Place - October 24th
Haven Place Halloween Luncheon - October 24th
Busey Bank Homeownership and Mortgages - October 24th
The Illinois Secretary of State Mobile DMV (Identification Card Renewal)- October 25th
Money Matters w/Heartland Bank - October 29^th
HACC Job and Resource Fair- November 1st
Veteran’s Appreciation Bruncheon - November 7th
Landlord Appreciation Event - November 14th
Steer Place Thanksgiving Luncheon - November 18th
Haven Place Thanksgiving Luncheon - November 19th
Washington Square Thanksgiving Luncheon - November 19th

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