2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: Charlottesville Apprenticeship and Training Program

On-the-Job Building Maintenance Training Program Provides Variety of Benefits

Charlottesville. When the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority was faced with 40 housing units needing asbestos abatement, it sought and received permission from HUD to expand the workforce through the on-the-job Charlottesville Apprenticeship and Training Program. Bringing in public housing residents would meet national self-sufficiency program goals while meeting a local goal of reducing vacancies through a comprehensive job-training program. Charlottesville’s Apprenticeship and Training Program combines practical on-site training with more formal evening classes on topics ranging from carpentry and plumbing to electricity and communications. In 1995, the Commonwealth of Virginia approved the Housing Authority’s four-year program as a registered Training Apprenticeship program. Since its inception, 12 individuals have participated in the Building Maintenance Training program. A 1997 graduate of the program worked his way up to lead foreman, and the Housing Authority also employs six others. By giving residents an opportunity to acquire and use marketable skills, the Building Maintenance program empowers participants through employment, and simultaneously benefits the residents whose units are maintained in good working order by the apprentices.

Contact: Del Price-Harvey, Phone: (804) 970-3258
Tracking Number: 1823
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: Hilliard House

Facility Provides Services and Support for Homeless Women to Become Self-Sufficient

Henrico County. After studies revealed a need for emergency and transitional housing for homeless women and children in Henrico County, VA, the Henrico Community Housing Corporation made it a priority to establish Hilliard House as a shelter for them. Hilliard House, in eastern Henrico County, an urban county near Richmond, VA, is the physical incarnation of the county’s plan to provide transitional housing for 30 homeless women and women with children making the journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Slated to open this summer, the 17,000 square-foot facility consists of two rehabilitated and four new buildings which are connected by an interior courtyard. Hilliard House will also provide classes in parenting, anger management, personal finance and nutrition. Other support services, such as job training and mental health counseling, will be provided by allied agencies. By sharing responsibility for caring for the homeless in the community, participating organizations (i.e., the Henrico Community Housing Corporation, nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, foundations, local businesses and county government), provide a safe, nurturing environment to local families.

Contact: Elizabeth Palen, Phone: (804) 261-0818
Tracking Number: 1899
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Neighborhood Assistance

Partnerships Provide a Variety of Supportive Services to Public Housing Residents

Norfolk. The Diggs Town Tenant Management Corporation (DTTMC) provides supportive services to public housing residents by building partnerships to empower the residents, their families and the community. As a nonprofit organization, the corporation is tax exempt, enabling it to solicit and accept tangible contributions such as furniture, food, and clothing to satisfy the basic needs of low-income residents. DTTMC has been instrumental in encouraging local furniture stores to donate slightly damaged furniture to first-time renters and residents moving into the neighborhood from shelters. As a food bank and distributor of government commodities, DTTMC delivers food to the elderly and disabled in the community. DTTMC representatives also provide housekeeping services to elderly and disabled individuals, helping them maintain their homes. When necessary, DTTMC brings representatives from other social service agencies to the homes of residents to provide additional services.

Contact: Hattie Anderson, Phone: (757) 543-0316
Tracking Number: 1508
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: South Adams Street Townhouses and Bunker Hill Community Revitalization

Financial Layering Technique Helps Fund Revitalization Projects

Petersburg. The Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (PRHA) in Petersburg, VA, created the South Adams Street Townhouses and the Bunker Hill Community Revitalization Projects to tackle the issue of urban blight by creating new and affordable homeownership opportunities. South Adams Street Townhouses, a PRHA public housing development since the 1980s, is undergoing revitalization using a unique funding process in which funding is earmarked for specific aspects of the project. While HUD’s Public Housing Development Funds will be used to administer and plan the project, PRHA devoted 203K mortgage funds for rehabilitation and Virginia State Lead Abatement funds for lead abatement. The unusual financial layering was needed for PRHA to revitalize this troubled neighborhood while devoting other scarce resources to housing in other parts of the city. The project involves substantial rehabilitation of nine townhouses and demolition of two others to create a courtyard. The targeted houses have become a source of blight for the city in recent years, with general neglect and asbestos and lead paint complicating abandonment. PRHA purchased several condemned buildings and overgrown vacant lots adjacent to the townhouses where it plans to build seven new homes to improve the aesthetics of the community. These seven new homes bring together Bunker Hill Community Revitalization and South Adams Street Townhouses and are expected to generate excitement and interest in this aging neighborhood. These activities will increase Petersburg’s affordable homeownership opportunities by 16 units.

Contact: Patrick Alphonso, Phone: (804) 733-2200
Tracking Number: 2131
Winning Category: Program (Single Family Housing)

Best Practice: HOME - Putting a multi-million dollar fair housing settlement to work for the community

Fair Housing Settlement Fights Insurance Firm Bias, Supports Needed Programs

Richmond. In April 2000, HOME settled its redlining lawsuit against Nationwide Insurance for $17.5 million and a commitment from the company to change its business practices and actively serve urban markets throughout the country. The money, the largest single unrestricted award to date in a fair housing case, is to be used to further HOME’s mission of ensuring equal access to housing. This settlement, added to a 1999 settlement of $4.25 million from a lawsuit against Liberty Mutual Insurance, will support a wide range of programs, including low-interest loans and grants to help low-income homeowners make essential home repairs. Nationwide Insurance has agreed to raise its profile in urban markets and add more policyholders, particularly in African American, Latino and other minority communities. In addition, Nationwide Insurance has revamped its underwriting guidelines to end blanket rejection of homes in older neighborhoods. This settlement is a milestone in the continuing battle against bias by insurance firms. With Nationwide now in the fold, HOME and National Fair Housing Alliance are focusing on their bias complaints against Travelers and Prudential insurance companies.

Contact: Connie Chamberlin, Phone: (804) 354-0641
Tracking Number: 349
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)

Best Practice: Chesapeake Affordable Homeownership Partnership

Homeownership Partnership Provides Houses and Jobs for Chesapeake Community

Chesapeake. The Chesapeake Affordable Homeownership Partnership is a public-private nonprofit partnership of the Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity and the Tidewater Builders Association. The partnership provides quality, affordable housing for low-income residents in Chesapeake, VA. In the early 1990s, the Housing Authority and the builders’ group began working together to build affordable homes in Chesapeake. When the builders’ group constructed energy-efficient three-bedroom homes off-site as part of its apprentice training, the Housing Authority agreed to purchase these homes and locate them on prepared lots in a neighborhood targeted for revitalization. Another partnership with Habitat for Humanity consisted of donations of lots for single-family homes. In 1996, the authority broadened both partnerships by developing the Chesapeake Affordable Homeownership Partnership. The partnership moved eight apprentice-built homes to Habitat-built foundations on lots prepared by the Housing Authority. Habitat added front porches to the homes, which help homeowners become more aware of their neighborhood. The partnership between the Housing Authority and the builder group also provides educational and employment benefits to at least 270 economically-disadvantaged students who participate in the apprenticeship program.

Contact: Brenda Willis, Phone: (757) 523-0401
Tracking Number: 699
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: New Road Community Development Group of Exmore

Determination in Struggle for Indoor Plumbing Results in New Housing and Amenities

Exmore. The New Road Community Development Group of Exmore—a community-based nonprofit organization located on the Virginia eastern shore peninsula—was established in 1992 to fight for a new sewer and water system that would provide services to 90 substandard housing units in the New Road community. The housing development, owned by two absentee landlords, is home to approximately 300 low-income African-American residents, but had no indoor plumbing. None of the 15 board members, who are also residents of the community, had any prior experience in community organizing and development, but they all shared the determination to create a sustainable and affordable living environment for their families. After developing a $10 million comprehensive revitalization plan, the group leveraged $1.75 million in CDBG funds to finance the water and sewer infrastructure and secured a low-interest loan to purchase the 30-acre property and 54 substandard units. The units will be razed and replaced with new houses. The group also renovated space for offices, meeting space for the community, and a youth center.

Contact: Ruth Wise, Phone: (757) 442-3797
Tracking Number: 367
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Best Practice: Uniform Building Codes for Compliance with Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines

Review of Model Building Codes Ensures Consistency and Facilitates Compliance

Richmond. HUD reviewed the nation’s four model building codes to assess the extent to which they were consistent with the requirements for accessibility outlined in national fair housing legislation. By reviewing the codes and identifying inconsistencies, HUD is helping code organizations develop language to assure compliance. State and local governments use model codes as a starting point for adopting their own building codes and standards, and builders rely on their state and local building codes to ensure they are meeting all applicable requirements. Because the Fair Housing Act is a civil rights law, rather than a building regulation, it is not a "required" component of building codes. However, the Act encourages state and local jurisdictions to review their permitting processes and adopt building codes that comply with the Act. HUD’s final report detailing the review of the four model building codes—the International Building Code, BOCA National Building Code, Uniform Building Code, and the Standard Building Code—identifies areas of inconsistency and recommends revisions.

Contact: Judy Keeler, Phone: (804) 278-4500 Ext. 3250
Tracking Number: 553
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)

Content Archived: April 20, 2011