The Latest News
March 2019
|
|
As Spring attempts to break Winter’s hold on our region, our thoughts turn towards the PNRC Annual Conference to be held in Portland, Oregon on April 29th and 30th. Thanks to the dedicated PNRC staff and volunteers on the Conference Planning Committee, this years’ Annual Conference is shaping up to be one of the finest we have ever organized. We have grouped the breakout sessions into seven distinct tracks that include Emerging Leaders, Finance, Housing and Healthcare, Leadership, Resident Services, Section 8 and Public Housing, and Maintenance. We are beyond excited to bring guest speakers for these sessions from all over the country.
As great as this lineup is, conferences like ours are only as good as the attendees and sponsors who commit to the event. I’m pleased to report that we have secured a record number of sponsors for the event who support our industry year in and year out.
Committed sponsors and an excellent program are great, but what we really need is you, the dedicated housers in the PNRC region, to really make this a special conference. I urge you to review the sessions being offered and consider the networking opportunities available at events like these. I challenge you to send as many folks as you can to our conference. Our agency is planning to have roughly 20 attendees. It really is going to be a special event.
Hope to see you there!
Bill Cook
Vice President for Professional Development - PNRC
Director of Property Management - King County Housing Authority
|
|
PNRC NAHRO Annual Conference
April 28-30, 2019
Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
Early Bird Registration Ends 3/31
|
|
Two days of professional development and networking including general sessions, 7 tracks/professional interest areas with over 30 breakout sessions to choose from, an exhibit hall filled with industry related vendors and more!
Keynote Speakers:
- Social Entrepreneur, Speaker, Author and Coach - Lou Radja
- Director and Program Manager of Behavioral Health Services for Seattle Public Schools - David Lewis
Post Conference Seminars
- Commissioners Fundamentals Training
- HUD Financial Management Training
- RAD PBV and PBRA Training
|
|
Thank you to our confirmed Sponsors!
(There's still time to become a sponsor!)
Platinum Sponsor
Key Bank
Gold Sponsors
Emphasys, HARRP | Nan McKay | Novogradac
Silver Sponsors
Loveridge Hunt | Umpqua Bank | Yardi
Friends of PNRC
Housing Authorities of Oregon | Idaho Chapter of NAHRO
|
|
We are no longer
Oregon Housing Authorities (OHA)
We are
Housing Authorities of Oregon (HAO)
This change will help our partners and friends distinguish us
from the Oregon Health Authority!
Visit our new website!
Here Oregonians in need may easily find the agency in their part of the state.
|
|
|
|
The Housing Authority of Clackamas County is pleased to announce the appointment of Jill Smith as the Director of Housing and Housing Services, which includes acting as the Executive Director for the Housing Authority. Effective Feb. 11, Jill will take over leadership of the agency, replacing Chuck Robbins who is preparing for his retirement in August 2019.
Jill brings over 23 years of experience working within Housing Authorities and managing affordable and market rate housing. Before her most recent role as the Deputy Director of Health, Housing and Human Services at Clackamas County, she worked for Home Forward as Chief Operating Officer.
In addition to the work at the Housing Authority, Jill will coordinate the county’s housing and housing service resources. Her relationships with county staff and partners, paired with her familiarity of the array of services the county provides, will be invaluable in her new role. Jill is dedicated to the mission to remove barriers for vulnerable individuals and families on their path to improved health, wellness, prosperity and inclusion.
|
|
KCHA acquires
308-unit workforce apartment complex
in Federal Way, Washington
Riverstone Apartments in Federal Way is the latest addition to KCHA’s workforce housing portfolio.
|
|
The attractive 308-unit complex sits across the street from the Star Lake Park and Ride, which in 2024 will be converted to the South 272nd Street Link Light Rail station. It is conveniently located close to grocery shopping, parks, and the Woodmont Library.
The acquisition expands the Housing Authority’s efforts to preserve or develop affordable housing in regional growth corridors with mass transit.
|
|
The Housing Authorities have purchased and renovated a 16,000 square foot office building located at 1001 S. Orchard Street and will be moving into their new home during the first week in March. Business at the new location will begin on Monday, March 11. Executive Director Deanna Watson expects that the new location will provide improved access for their clients, being centrally located and on the Valley Regional Transit system. The larger office building will provide the Housing Authorities with additional conference rooms and a larger briefing room for client briefings and community educational opportunities. The building will also allow for the agency’s future growth. Parking is free and accessible.
|
|
Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities Relocates Office
|
New address is: 1001 S. Orchard Street, Boise, Idaho 83705
An open house is planned for later in the spring
|
|
Celebrating 50 Years
Turning 50 in 2018 was a big deal for the Housing Authority in Pocatello! The agency began planning for the celebrations in 2017 and the plans went into action as the calendar turned. Our goal was to show appreciation to our residents and our community; develop additional community partners; and educate the community about the good work we do. To kick things off, the city approved the requested name change to Housing Alliance and Community Partnerships in January. We believe that this name more effectively represents who we are.
|
|
The celebration continued throughout the entire year. The agency hosted multiple events and provided several acts of service to the community and our residents each month. Events included carnations and Valentine Cards for elderly and disable residents, Mothers’ Day Tea, Donuts for Dads (Fathers’ Day celebration), National Night Out Events, staff reading books to children at the summer lunch program, a trolley tour of properties for elected officials, Business After Hours with the Chamber of Commerce, serving meals at a soup kitchen, trunk or treat at properties, and so much more.
Were we tired? Yes! Was it worth it? YES! HACP received the birthday celebration it deserved!
|
|
Newbridge Place, A New Start for Families
Newbridge Place broke ground in October. The $17 million new construction apartment complex of sixty-four apartments is slated for completion in October 2019. The project is funded primarily by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments will be affordable to households earning 50% area median income or less.
Newbridge Place will have twelve units set aside as Family Strengthening units, subsidized with Section 8 project-based vouchers. Families will qualify for these units through a partnership with the Housing Authority, DHS Self-Sufficiency and Child Welfare to provide supportive services to families residing in the Family Strengthening units. To qualify for these units, families must have an open child welfare case and be receiving TANF.
Newbridge Place will also integrate twelve units of permanent supportive housing dedicated to homeless veterans using project-based VASH vouchers. The Veterans Affairs Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics will provide supportive services to the veterans residing at Newbridge Place.
The site location was selected by the project’s service providers and is ideal due being in walking distance to a multitude of grocery, retail, financial and employment centers as well as being located close to public transit and an elementary school.
|
|
|
|
The entire building envelope is specifically designed with a forty-year sustainable life. High quality material specifications include: fiber cement lap siding; fiber cement factory finished shingle siding; fiberglass, insulated entry doors; composite windows; heavy gauge factory finished rain gutters, and lifetime, architectural-composition roofing.
|
|
As the country begins to recover from the extended government shutdown, there’s no better time to storm Capitol Hill and let your legislators know how vital your work is to your communities. This first of NAHRO’s three 2019 CONNECT events lets us bring our purpose as housers and community builders to our elected officials in Washington, D.C.
Join us for the latest news and updates from HUD, the White House and the Hill; advocacy how-tos; and of course for our critical Capitol Hill Day, when you and hundreds of your colleagues educate your members of Congress on the vital roles that housing and community development programs play in their districts. We’ll also be honoring the grand prize winner of our 2019 Housing America calendar contest!
The Washington Conference will be held from April 7-9 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA, just minutes outside downtown Washington, D.C. Register now and take advantage of our special early-bird rate!
QUESTIONS?
|
|
Honor Your Inspiring Colleagues!
Have you ever wanted to recognize a colleague for his/her outstanding work? Here’s your chance! NAHRO invites nominations for the
2019 Individual Awards
that recognize excellence, innovation, and achievement in the housing and community development (HCD) industry. The deadline for NAHRO Fellow applications is July 1; the deadline for all awards is August 15.
Purpose
: NAHRO’s highest and most prestigious award given to honor an exceptionally qualified person who has made outstanding contributions to improve a community’s quality of life through service in the HCD industry. The award is made on the basis of extraordinary accomplishments and contributions.
History
: The award was established in 1975 in the name of M. Justin Herman to provide a living acknowledgment for the standard of excellence he established in the field of housing and community development and the contributions he made to the beauty and vigor of San Francisco.
Qualifications
: Each nominee must have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the nation’s effort to provide “a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.”
History
: The award was established in 1983 in the name of John D. Lange, Executive Director of NAHRO from 1951 to 1970, who actively participated throughout his professional career in international exchange and, in his retirement, carried out executive service assignments in Argentina, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Qualifications
: Each nominee must have a direct affiliation with the housing and community development field and must have made an outstanding contribution to international understanding in HCD industry.
Purpose
: To honor a current commissioner, or one who has served within the past 12 months, who has demonstrated excellence in advocating for and developing the financial, political, and community support necessary to ensure the continuation and expansion of HCD programs.
History
: The award was established in 1987 in the name of Elizabeth B. Wells to provide a living acknowledgment of the outstanding contributions she made to the housing field as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the King County (WA) Housing Authority and as NAHRO’s first Vice President of the Commissioners Committee.
Qualifications
: Each nominee must be an individual or associate member of national NAHRO, have contributed in the areas of community leadership, advocacy, and public relations as well as to the activities of NAHRO. Nominees cannot be employed by the Housing Authority and serve as Commissioner simultaneously.
The Emerging Leaders are a self-identified, diverse group of professionals who are interested in advancing in the HCD industry. Emerging Leaders gain knowledge and integrate themselves into the industry through mentors, trainings, and conferences. An Emerging Leader demonstrates leadership and is willing to contribute and share knowledge/ideas with others.
Purpose
: The Emerging Leader Award recognizes an individual who has distinguished him/herself as an Emerging Leader.
Qualifications
: Must have been involved in NAHRO at the national, regional and/or chapter levels for at least five years and must have distinguished him/herself as an Emerging Leader.
Please note: Nominees do not need to be a member of the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee. Nominations must be submitted by someone other than the nominee. Award winners can only receive the award once.
This award recognizes both a vendor partner and a housing agency or community development agency whose partnership exemplifies a joint effort that creates positive change. Current BPC members and PHAs or associations that administer affordable housing programs will be eligible. Each entry must be limited to one specific partnership example. BPC members may also enter new products and services that have not yet been implemented, but that would meet the above criteria with the support of the HA for which the product/service is being designed. BPC members may also enter products, services, and philanthropic activities (e.g., scholarships or volunteer projects) that benefit multiple PHAs or their local communities.
Purpose
: NAHRO Fellows are honored because they have demonstrated, over a sustained period of time, their commitment to improving the housing conditions of their fellow citizens and/or the viability and sustainability of the communities in which they live and/or work. Award recipients may use the designation “NAHRO Fellow” professionally as a designation after their name, and may be called upon for mentoring and service to NAHRO and its members.
Qualifications
: Each nominee must have been an individual or associate member of National NAHRO for at least three years; have at least 12 years of professional experience in housing and/or community development; have graduated from a college or university or have a combination of professional training that demonstrates a commitment to self-improvement and professional development; and be able to demonstrate significant contributions to the HCD industry in five of the eight categories including Association Mastery. Mastery in either the policy area or the practice area is also required.
|
|
2019 NAHRO Merit College Scholarship
In 2017, The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) established the NAHRO Merit College Scholarship Program. Eight scholarships are awarded nationwide to candidates, one from each NAHRO region, who are pursuing a post-secondary degree. The scholarships will be judged by the NAHRO Scholarship Committee, which is comprised of Housing America Task Force members who accept and review the scholarship applications.
The eight regional scholarship winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. From the eight regional recipients, a first- and a second-place winner chosen by the NAHRO Scholarship Committee will receive an additional $5,000 and $2,000 award, respectively. Each region will submit an application of their choice from their own scholarship program.
Applications and photos must be sent to Kristen Damazio, Regional Service Officer at
kdamazio@nahro.org
by June 7th.
The PNRC Scholarship Committee will judge the applications and select a winner to advance to the national level. The regional winner will also receive $1,000 from PNRC.
|
|
2019 NAHRO Biennial Elections
The NAHRO leadership changes hands biennially with the election of a President and Senior Vice President by the NAHRO membership.
Campaigning for biennial elections begins at national conferences in even-numbered years and concludes with the election in the fall in odd-numbered years. NAHRO Associates and Allied Individual members are eligible to seek the office of NAHRO President or Senior Vice President.
|
|
|
Candidate for President:
Sunny Shaw, CME
Executive Director,
Housing Alliance and Community Partnerships
Pocatello, ID
208-233-6276
Twitter: @sunnyshaw7
Candidate for Senior Vice President:
Patricia S. Wells. CME
Deputy Executive Director,
Oakland Housing Authority
Oakland, CA
(510) 874-1516
|
|
"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 affordable 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.
|
|
3/20/2019
e-Learning; Online 0.25 CEU
3/27/2019
Webinar
3/27/2019
e-Learning; Online 0.25 CEU
3/28/2019
e-Learning; Online 0.25 CEU
|
|
Bellingham Whatcom Housing Authorities (Bellingham, WA)
Home Forward (Portland, OR)
Tacoma Housing Authority (Tacoma, WA)
United Marketing, Inc. (Issaquah, WA)
For a list of all of the job openings in the region, please visit our
website.
If you have position you would like included in the newsletter and on the website, please email Regional Service Officer, Kristen Damazio at
kdamazio@nahro.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
