2000 Best Practice Awards
Program and Geographical Winners: New Jersey
Best Practice: Section 3 Activities
Housing Authority Raises Compliance Goal
for Section-3 Requirements
Jersey City.
The Jersey City Housing Authority uses aggressive benchmarks to comply with
HUD requirements regarding employment of Section 3 residents. The housing
authority raised the goal related to hiring of low- and very-low income
workers from 30 percent of new hires to 30 percent of total hours worked
for positions generated by HUD financial assistance. In order to help businesses
achieve the goal and prepare residents for employment, the housing authority
collaborated with a local painters/plasterers union to train candidates.
Thirteen residents have completed the training, 16 have obtained jobs under
Section 3-covered contracts, and employment is pending for another 50 on
a HOPE VI project. Businesses hiring low- and very-low income residents
have received $2 million in contracts. Other New Jersey housing authorities
have used the authoritys Employment and Contracting Opportunity Plan
(EOC) as a model.
Contact: Robert Rigby, Phone: (201) 547-6600
Tracking Number: 299
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)
Best Practice: Vacancy Consolidation Program
The Vacancy Consolidation Program Streamlining
New Jersey Housing Authority
Jersey City. The Vacancy Consolidation
Program was developed in conjunction with the New Jersey Housing Authoritys
HOPE VI Revitalization Program to facilitate more cost-effective management,
maintenance and security at the Authoritys housing developments. To
accomplish this, residents in partially-occupied buildings must be relocated.
The second objective is to successfully relocate residents by encouraging
families to move to more fully-occupied buildings and/or less racially-
and economically- impacted neighborhoods that offer better housing, education
and employment opportunities. The third objective is to recruit landlords
to participate in the authoritys Section 8 program. The programs
other focus is to link with the states regional opportunity counseling
program to ensure that Section 8 recipients obtain comprehensive counseling.
In conjunction with the Vacancy Consolidation Program, the authority developed
and implemented the Good Neighbor Initiative program. It determines if applicants
are eligible for the states program and assesses the responsibility
level of applicants in paying their household bills. The authority allocated
65 Section 8 vouchers in the first year of the program and has recruited
12 new landlords for its Section 8 program.
Contact: Marie Mayo, Phone: (201) 547-6600
Tracking Number: 281
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)
Best Practice: New Jersey Housing and Mortgage
Finance Agency Home Ownership for Permanency Program
Partnership Creates Innovative Project
to Reduce Number of Special Needs Children in Foster Care
Trenton.
The Home Ownership for Permanency Project creates affordable home ownership
opportunities for low- and moderate-income potential adoptive families and
relative caregivers to reduce the number of special needs children in foster
care. Under the Home Ownership for Permanency Project, the New Jersey Housing
Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) provides homebuyer mortgages at below market
interest rates of 1 to 4 percent, with 100 percent financing if needed for
those faced with inadequate or unaffordable housing. This $4 million project
addresses the needs of lower income adoptive families and was created through
a partnership of the NJHMFA and the New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Youth and Family Services. The Catastrophic Illness in Children
Relief Fund Commission provided half of the program funding through a $2
million matching grant.
Contact: Gregory Adkins, Phone: (609) 278-7457
Tracking Number: 2694
Winning Category: Program (Housing - Single Family)
Best Practice: Regional Opportunity Counseling
Program
Housing Counseling Program Helps Low-Income
Families Relocate
East Orange.
The Regional Housing Opportunity Counseling Program promotes strategies
that help low-income residents use Section 8 vouchers to choose neighborhoods
that offer better housing, education and employment opportunities. Multiple
public- and private-sector agencies pool resources and work collaboratively
to provide resident/landlord/community education, outreach, counseling,
and support services. The program works to expand landlord participation
and increase the diversity of neighborhoods where Section 8 recipients reside;
encourage low-income families to move to low-poverty areas offering high
quality housing; identify and address barriers to mobility; and provide
in-depth counseling to participating families. Thirty-seven participating
families have relocated to areas less economically and racially segregated;
and another 80 are waiting to relocate once housing is available. More than
100 new landlords have agreed to participate in the Section 8 program. The
National Federation of Housing Counselors recognized the program at its
1999 conference.
Contact: Fran Lawton, Phone: (973) 266-8692
Tracking Number: 295
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)
Best Practice: Interstate Realty Management-Family
Neighborhood Networks Centers
Centers Work Together to Provide Employment
Resources for Residents
Marlton.
The Interstate Realty Management (IRM)-Family of Neighborhood Networks consists
of 12 Neighborhood Network Computer Training Centers that offer comprehensive
job training and self-sufficiency programs. Although the centers are located
in different geographic areas, they communicate with each other through
video conferencing. IRM's Life Skills Training program provides hands-on
training in resume writing, job application completion, job interviewing,
and life and career planning. Other important topics covered include positive
working attitudes, conflict resolution skills, punctuality and attendance,
and dressing for success. Several centers also have on-site "employment
clothing banks." Each member of the Family of Neighborhood Networks
offers a broad-based curriculum that includes job readiness, life skills,
basic computer literacy, data entry, Microsoft Office 2000, adult basic
education, GED training and life skills training. In addition to having
state-of-the-art hardware and software, each center is well designed and
maintained, providing an atmosphere that enhances the learning process.
Over 200 graduates of the program have obtained employment.
Contact: Jackie Jones, Phone: (856) 596-0500
Tracking Number: 2630
Winning Category: Program (Housing - Multifamily)
Best Practice: Section 3 ActivitiesEmployment
and Contracting Opportunities
Housing Authority Sets High Standard for
the Employment of Section 3 Residents
Newark.
The Newark Housing Authority went beyond the call of duty to comply with
HUD requirements regarding the employment of Section 3 residents. Rather
than 30 percent of new hires as required, the Authority proposed that 30
percent of total hours worked be targeted to low- and very-low income individuals
for positions generated by HUD financial assistance. More than 290 housing
authority residents, representing 32 percent of the workforce, have obtained
employment. The authoritys goal for businesses employing Section 3
residents is 30 percent of the total construction cost. Partnering with
a nonprofit organization to train job candidates, 36 residents have received
training and 25 subsequently obtained jobs. The housing authority and the
New Jersey Fair Housing Office staff have helped other housing authorities
and tenant organizations to replicate these standards.
Contact: Charles A. Bell, Phone: (973) 242-6738
Tracking Number: 279
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)
Best Practice: Riverview Towers Neighborhood
Networks WINGS Program
Program Helps Residents Achieve Self-Sufficiency
Patterson.
The Riverview Towers Neighborhood Networks Center offers the WINGS program,
a multi-faceted project that includes use of an on-site computer learning
center, GED and ESL programs, and a variety of other services to increase
residents job skills and reduce welfare dependency. WINGS is a holistic
program designed to foster individual dignity, promote self-sufficiency,
and create a sense of community among the residents of Riverview Towers.
More than 50 residents have graduated from the programs beginning
or intermediate level classes. WINGS is being implemented through the Workforce
Development Department at Berkeley College, with the assistance of local
community organizations, corporations, schools, and government agencies.
The Department of Labor has designated WINGS as an official One Stop for
the State of New Jersey. Department of Labor staff helps evaluate participants
and aids them in getting jobs. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
helps evaluate learning disabilities among participants.
Contact: Dean Santa, Phone: (973) 790-4600
Tracking Number: 3287
Winning Category: Geographical
New Jersey HMFA Low Income Housing Tax Credit
Prioritization for HUD McKinney Act Programs
Changes in the Selection Criteria in New
Jerseys Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program has created a set-aside
for programs that use HOPE VI funds
Trenton.
The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency responded creatively
to the need for additional resources to expand the impact of HOPE VI projects
by changing the selection criteria in New Jerseys Low-Income Housing
Tax Credit Program. The change creates a set-aside for programs that use
HOPE VI funds, thus encouraging private developers and investors in fierce
competition for the tax credits to support projects incorporating HOPE VI
funding and community revitalization strategies. The careful oversight of
HOPE VI projects also provides extra assurance that projects are in compliance
with income, occupancy, and other requirements of the Tax Credit Program.
The changed selection criteria have already resulted in developer applications
for two additional multi-family projects with a total development cost of
over $17 million.
Contact: Gregory Adkins, Phone: (609) 278-7457
Tracking Number: 2779
Winning Category: Geographical
Best Practice: Brother to Brother: Isaiah House
Residential Program for Adolescent Boys
Homeless Inner City Males find Hope, Help
from Brothers with Brothers
East Orange.
Now in its fourth year of operation the Isaiah House's Residential Program
for Adolescent Boys entitled, Brothers with Brothers, supports 14 homeless
inner city males ages 15 to 19 with housing, 3 meals per day supported by
full social, emotional, and recreational services for up to 4 years. Perhaps
the most unique aspects of the new facility are not the design or the architecture
but rather the program model for young men. Traditionally Isaiah House has
been the shelter and provider of services for families thus creating and
becoming family for these young men. By providing the essential emotional
components of a family that is caring, understanding, support a sense of
belonging and responsibility in a safe, attractive and secure physical environment,
these young men are able to develop into fully functional, self supporting
and contributing citizens of the community. The Brothers with Brother program
includes eight, two person units, plus an apartment for a live in advisor.
At the heart of the project design is a genuine athletic team approach.
There are 2 young men or teammates to a room, a separate lounge/day room,
a TV room and an indoor gym/recreational area with weights, punching bags
and other health conscious and body building, self building equipment. Study
areas are provided on the same floor. In these classrooms and the computer
lab the young men are encouraged to pursue their studies with the help of
mentors and community volunteers. In addition to living in a drug and alcohol
free environment the young men in this program receive round the clock supervision,
medical and dental care, mental health services and 24 hour security. To
augment recreation and physical activity, each resident is provided with
a full membership at the East Orange YMCA located on the adjacent block,
within easy walking distance. These young men are encouraged to participate
in the life of the agency with meaningful paid jobs. Numerous possibilities
for skills and responsibility training present themselves in the Isaiah
House 24 hour operation. A requirement of the program is to attend school
or job training program.
This program is now licensed by the NJ Division
of Youth & Family Services as a Residential Child Care Facility and
has been widely accepted as a program for homeless youth. The program averages
two youth per year that graduate high school on target and are accepted
into 4 year colleges.
Contact: Ms. Glenda Kirkland, Phone: (973)
678-5882 Ext.3003
Tracking Number: 643
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)
Best Practice: The Family Self-Sufficiency
Program
Helping Families Achieve Economic Independence
Newark.
The Newark Housing Authoritys Family Self-Sufficiency Program is
a program that coordinates the use of housing assistance under the HUDs
Section 8 rental certificate and voucher programs along with public and
private resources to help eligible families achieve economic independence
and self-sufficiency. The program helps families achieve independence and
self-sufficiency through a multi-prong approach that incorporates educational,
social and economic development and training. To participate, families must
sign the five-year Contract of Participation that outlines the individual
families short and long-term goals for independence. The program was
made possible with the support of local organizations such as the Consumer
Credit Counseling Service of Essex County and Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Service. As a result of the program, half of the participants have become
homeowners with sizable escrow accounts.
Contact: Harry Robinson, Phone: (973) 430-2212
Tracking Number: 3207
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)
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