2000 Best Practice Awards

986 Vine Hill Homes and Community Center

The Housing Authority built the Vine Hill Community Center, a 20,000 square foot facility that will feature a range of programming critical to improving lives including:

• A 45 slot preschool program/day care center run by a provider with over 20 years experience;
• A health clinic run by Vanderbilt University Medical Center;
• Youth recreation and after school programming sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club;
• A computer center with 15 terminals for class and individual use;
• An automatic teller machine for banking services, a first for the neighborhood; Offices and classrooms for GED training, family counseling and mentoring and small business development and financial management training.

1105 Section 8 and Public Housing Family Self-

Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency was approved by HUD in 1993, and a year later in 1994, the Public Housing Program was approved. This program was established to promote self-sufficiency among participating families receiving Section 8 assistance and to residents in public housing. The program includes case management and supportive services to those families. The purpose of the program was to coordinate the Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers programs and Public Housing with public and private resources to enable families to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. The Social Services Coordinators work with community agencies to coordinate resources in a comprehensive way and to move low-income families receiving Section 8 housing assistance up and out into the economic mainstream. Each participant signed a contract of participation and set goals to be completed within five years. Homeownership was the ultimate goal for most participants. Both the Public Housing and Section 8 Social Services Coordinators utilize various resources including education, training, employment, counseling, employment and child care to develop upper mobility programs aimed at moving families from welfare to work and into stable economic conditions. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program is a voluntary program, and Public Housing Authorities competed on a national basis for additional Section 8 Certificates, which are set aside for this purpose.

1237 CWA- Cayce Neighborhood Networks Center
In August of 1996, representatives of the Communication Workers of America Apartments, Inc., the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency(CWA) the Tennessee State Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Martha O'Bryan Center formed the CWA-Cayce Neighborhood Networks. At that time it was the first collaboration of its kind in the United States. The Martha O'Bryan Center is responsible for the fiscal and operational activities of the CWA-Cayce Neighborhood Networks Center which is located in 518-520 of the CWA Apartments. The neighborhood consists of two adjoining developments, separated by 5th and Sylvan Streets in East Nashville. CWA Plaza is HUD-insured, 254 units, built in 1962 and 1963. It presently houses 462 people including 268 children under 18. Cayce Homes is public housing, 738 units, built in 1942, 1952 and 1954. It presently houses over 2,000 people including over 1,300 children under 18. CWA Plaza Apartments is owned by Communication Workers of America Local 3808 and managed by TAMCO, Inc. James A. Cayce Homes is owned and administered by Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency. The mission of the CWA-Cayce Neighborhood Networks is to identify, address, and support long-term solutions to the educational, health, social, and economic needs of all residents. Through the operation of a computerized learning center, residents and other East Nashville families are assisted as they obtain higher levels of self-sufficiency through individual and community-directed initiatives. The partnership values: CWA & James A. Cayce residents as the primary customers, community collaboration, innovation, and results-oriented performance. Current programming includes: After-School Homework & Tutorial Club for children and youth, ages 6-18; Pre-employment and Career preparation and Placement Services for youth ages 15-17 and adults 18 years and up; individual and group mentoring/advocacy, community life skills workshops; self-directed adult education; and Family Time activities.

1260 Youth Enrichment Initiatives Program

In the Summer of 1999, MDHA funded a Youth Employment Services program operated by a consortium of non-profit agencies. The agencies were the Eighteenth Avenue Family Enrichment Center, Nashville Urban League, Edgehill Community Center and Bethlehem Center of Nashville, Inc. 104 children received extensive employment readiness training, including initial assessment followed by an intensive workshop, role playing and instructional lectures on proper demeanor, dress, body language, hygiene, application preparation, resume writing and job retention. A total of 75 youth were placed in jobs, with staff tracking each participant's progress with on site job visits and, if indicated, counseling related to job retention and conflict resolution. A computer lab at the Urban League was used for assessment and training. The agencies involved added further value to their work by recruiting employers and working closely with the employers during all phases of the program to ensure that the program met employers' needs. Program staff acted as mediator between employers and employees to make the employment a success for all parties.

1285 Air Conditioning Program for the Elderly and Disabled Public Housing

The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency began a campaign in the spring of 1999 to solicit funds for the purchase of air conditioners for the elderly and disabled residents living in the PHA without air conditioning. Prior to soliciting funds, Housing Authority social workers conducted a survey of tenant needs. The program utilized a local advertising firm to spread word of the need to the community by means of newspapers, radio, and television announcements. Letters were sent to local churches asking for contributions to help meet this need. The final result was contributions totaling $89,807. The community donated 66 air conditioners, and Metropolitan Action Commission gave 102 air conditioners making a total of five hundred forty-six (546) air conditioners.

1375 Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency Mediation Program

In 1996 the MDHA was approached by the General Sessions judges and the District Attorneys Office concerning the number of residents in public housing obtaining warrants on one another for various reasons. The concern of all parties was the cost and the amount of court time spent resolving these issues. These resident disputes also concerned MDHA. As the problems between residents escalated, a significant number of these residents ultimately were evicted for violating terms of the lease such as "harming the social environment and disturbing other neighbors." In working with the court and attempting to create a method through which residents could attempt to resolve their own differences, the MDHA Legal Office developed and began a Mediation Program. The program is structured as follows. One a Manager discovers conflicts between neighbors or complaints are made to the management office, the legal office is notified and a mediation is scheduled. Residents are informed to be at the office at a specific time and a trained mediator conducts a hearing. All parties are given the opportunity to address the grievances between one another and every attempt possible is made to resolve these differences. At the conclusion of the mediation, sections of the housing lease are explained along with the possible ramifications if the conflict continues. The parties then sign a mediation form through which they agree to the terms of the mediation settlement. The form further states, "if the resident violates these terms they understand they will be evicted."

1398 Haynes Garden Neighborhood Net Work

The Haynes Garden Apartment, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a 208-unit property insured by HUD under the Section 221(d)(3) Market Rate Program. The project receives Section 8 subsidy. The property is located in a high-crime and low-income area in East Nashville. The management of the Hayes Garden Apartments realized early in 1990 that multifamily housing was about to undergo some rapid changes on the Federal level that would have an immediate effect on subsidized housing complexes. One of those changes was Tennessee's "Welfare to Work Program. Previous HUD management review reports indicated that the project had too many zero (0) income residents, and that management should focus on ways to provide information on employment opportunities, child care, health, crime prevention, social, and recreational activities. With those needs in mind, the management held a meeting with its residents and reactivated the Tenant Council. Residents' most immediate concern was for the safety of the residents on the premises; therefore, in conjunction with the Nashville Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the Haynes Garden Neighborhood Watch Program was developed. In an effort to assist residents in finding employment, the Tenant Council began publishing the Haynes Gazette, a newsletter containing a variety of employment information including job listings. In 1998 through a joint effort of HUD; South Central Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists (owner/sponsor), and TAMCO, L.L.C. (Management Company) began efforts to organize a Neighborhood Network Computer Lab. The objectives were to reduce welfare dependency, teach basic academic skills and increase adult education opportunities, improve academic achievement of school-aged children, and build a resident support network. The Plan was approved and the Computer Lab opened in 1999. The Lab provides a basic computer skills class taught by a student of Tennessee State University one night a week for the residents. Thus far, 24 people have graduated from the computer class. In addition, tutoring sessions for the youth of the property, as well as the community, are provided every Monday and Tuesday evening and are taught by students of Fisk University and Tennessee State University. Additional programs implemented since the early 1990's to meet the needs of the youth of the property include the following: Summer Enrichment Program - Includes arts and crafts, games and academic activities, with lunch provided by the Metro Action Commission; Haynes Garden Angels Baseball and Softball Teams - There are two teams of 15 children each, including children from the community. The sponsor, South Central Conference of Seventh Day Adventists pays the $700 to get the teams registered with the Little League of America. The agent, TAMCO, L.L.C., pays an average of $300 for the umpire and supplies. A Haynes Garden resident, Gordon Brown, serves as Athletic Director with residents and people from the community serving as coaches, team moms and cheerleaders. Residents Manager solicit funds from project vendors to sponsor children who cannot pay the $45 individual registration fee required for each child to participate. Last year TAMCO, L.L.C. rented two vans and took teams to Atlanta to see an Atlanta Braves game and provided each child with $15 each to spend. Haynes Garden Panthers Football Teams and Cheerleaders - There are two teams with a total of 45 children, including some from the community. Again, Gordon Brown, a resident, serves as the Atlantic Director with coaches and other volunteers from the property and community assisting in the program. The Local Library Bookmobile (one day a week) - Comes to the property on Wednesdays with a large number of property and community residents participating. Annual Back-to-School Bash - Sponsored by the property through TAMCO, L.L.C., who provides each child with book bags and other school supplies. Annual Christmas Bash. Additional programs implemented since the 1990s for the adults of the property include the following: 50+ Club (sponsored by the Tenant Council) - This club meets in the activity room and plans on-site activities and trips for its older residents to enjoy. Job Placement Information - The Tenant Council researches job information on the web for its residents, assists them in downloading and preparation of job applications. "It's About Trust Bible Study - Sundays - conducted by Haynes Garden resident. These classes are attended by approximately 10 residents. "Out of the Problem in the Solution" (Anti-Drug Abuse Program sponsored by a Haynes Garden resident) - This is a program held every Friday evening for 15 to 20 adults to provide assistance and counseling with drug abuse problems. Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Screening (sponsored by Friendship Home Health) - This is held once a month for residents to take part in. BINGO - gifts and refreshments sponsored by Friendship Home Health; and Women, Infants and Children (W.I.C.) Program sponsored by the Department of Human Services). This program assists residents who are in need of food, milk for their children, and medical services.

1515 Metrocenter Teachers' Apartments

Metrocenter Teachers Apartments is a 267 unit complex housing elderly and disabled persons. The project is located just outside of downtown. This time share project is unique in that it allowed residents at a project that could not afford a van form a partnership with others and there obtain the needed van services at an affordable cost.

1517 12 South Commercial District Streetscape Improvements Project

In the summer of 1999, MDHA completed a 3-block renovation of the 12th Avenue South commercial corridor. The improvements were based on the "Streetscape Master Plan for 12th Avenue South" which recommended public improvements along the street to spur economic development and neighborhood revitalization. The dramatic changes brought a fresh new look to the street and improved the safety of pedestrians. The improvements consisted of relocating utility poles, narrowing the street width, installing 6-foot wide sidewalks, landscaping, and pedestrian-scale gooseneck streetlights attached with festive banners that announce "12 South". Along the sidewalk can be found bike racks, unique park benches and trashcans woven with multi-colored telephone wire. A dangerous arrangement of head-in parking spaces was replaced with on-street parallel parking spaces. Improving the function and character of this commercial street has served to reinvigorate a stagnant business district. The project has stimulated significant investment by private property owners and new businesses and will likely serve as a model for revitalizing other neighborhood-scale commercial districts in the inner city.

1578 Rolling Acres/ Spring Valley Apartments Learning Center

In 1998, owner and management agent officials, Frank and Steve Ghertner, and the properties' former on-site Resident Manager, Jean Vaughn, began the process of putting together a Neighborhood Network Learning Center to serve the residents and community of the Rolling Acres and Spring Valley Apartments in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Learning Center was officially opened in June 1999. The Learning Center's activities and attendance have grown during the year and is now opened 28 hours per week. The Learning Center has one paid staff member and several community volunteers. The center has three computers running Windows 98 along with educational software. One computer has internet access. The Learning Center serves the two adjoining properties. Rolling Acres, a multifamily property insured by HUD under the 221(d)(3)BMIR Program with Section 8 subsidy, has 50 units. Spring Valley, a 126-unit project, was insured under HUD's Section 221(d)(3) program and also receives Section 8 subsidy. Programming is targeted for three age groups. The children's programming is the most attended. Programming has been on-going since the opening of the Learning Center with a diversity of activities including: Read-a-thon with a pizza party reward, collecting aluminum cans with a pizza party reward, a performance with MTSU fraternity, free play time, and many art projects. New book shelves have been installed and books donated by local libraries and book stores. Seniors have a once per month activity led by the St. Clair Street Senior Center. These activities include health care speakers, craft projects and bingo. The Learning Center also has set-up an adult GED program providing books and tutoring for the adults of the community. The Learning Center was developed with a Memorandum of Understanding regarding support and services from the Motlow Community College. Motlow Community College staff work with staff of the Department of Human Services to provide services and educational opportunities to help individuals overcome barriers to employment in order to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

1589 Nashville Urban League ABE/GED Program

The project provides Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Education Diploma (GED) classes for adults and for minors who have special permission from the public school system to leave school.

1594 Cookeville HA Teenie Weenies Need Training, Teens Need Training (TNT) and Summer Programs

Teenie Weenies Need Training for ages 5-10 and Teens Need Training (TNT) for ages 11-17 are after-school programs that reduce truancy, improve academics and build character. Cookeville Housing Authority's summer programs for ages 9-13 provides participants with life skills training, community projects, field trips, daily cooking classes, swimming, reading, character building activities and exposure to multicultural environments. All programs are offered to youth living in and around public housing.

1687 Cookeville PD SAFETY (Stop Abusers From Educating Their Young)Domestic Violence Prevention Program)

The Cookeville Police Department recognizes domestic violence for the serious crime that it is. They further acknowledge that there is an inadequate response to the needs of children that are at risk of or who have been exposed to family violence. Indisputable data has proven that children who remain in these environments with no outside intervention come to believe this behavior is normal and acceptable. The likelihood increases that these children will repeat this destructive cycle from one generation to the next. In an effort to respond to the needs of these children and to prevent the repetition of this devastating cycle, the Cookeville Police Department has developed the S.A.F.E.T.Y. program. S.A.F.E.T.Y. represents the idea that the Cookeville Police Department will Stop Abusers From Educating Their Young. This program is a coordinated response between law enforcement, prosecution, the judiciary, mental health and educational professions, social services, child protective services as well as other public and private resources to ensure that the special needs of these children are met.

1717 MDHA Fair Housing Office

Where we live has a tremendous impact on all our lives, dictating the type of health care we receive, the quality of our children's education, and the kind of economic opportunities we experience. Yet despite laws that prohibit housing discrimination, national studies have shown that minority persons are routinely discriminated against in the rental, sale, financing and insurance of residential real estate, while persons with disabilities and families with children face frequent and significant barriers to housing choice. The goal of the MDHA Fair Housing Office is to promote and educate the general public on the fair delivery of housing to the residents of Metro Nashville/Davidson County - GET THE WORD OUT! Working through a committee structure, the Fair Housing Office hosted quarterly seminars and forums; reconnected the Fair Housing Network; continued to manage the Fair Housing Hotline and coordinated with our consultant to update "The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing' . The FH network is an informal gathering of fair housing advocates that include housing counselors, Realtors, property managers, lenders and ADA representatives. For the 1999 program year, over 314 calls were fielded by the FH hotline. Several calls relating to landlord/tenant issues were mediated and others were referred as needed to the Tennessee Fair Housing Council, the Tennessee Human Rights Commission or HUD.

2080 Spring Street Renovation Project

The Spring Street Renovation Project in its most Spartan description involved the demolition, removal and reconstruction of five single unit dwellings if a blighted area of downtown Erin, Houston County, Tennessee. The broader report involves a tiny neighborhood overlooked by the community with dwellings located on very small, irregularly shaped 30 by 30 lots. On two sites, only part of the structure was actually situated on the owner's lot. Only one of the five occupied dwellings had water and sewer connections. The other houses lacked even the convenience of an outhouse. A stream running behind one of the "homes" became the public depository. Two structures were so close to the street the were regularly hit by passing cars. Given this unsanitary situation, the obvious hazard to public safety, and the lack of available funding for any perceivable alternative, the City of Erin could only condemn the properties to demolition with the inevitable displacement of the homeowners to public housing. At this point, neighbors established the Spring Street Community Development Corporation and bought these untenable circumstances to the attention of Highland Rim Economic Corporation, a private non-profit community action agency. Highland Rim accepted the challenge and applied for HOME Program funding through Tennessee Housing Development Agency. At the request of Highland Rim, the City agreed to postpone the evictions. After much effort, a contract was awarded to Highland Rim for $217675. Securing the grant became the easy part. It took three more years to negotiate bitter property disputes, the purchase of additional land to increase the lot sizes, and the acquisition of waivers to city set-back ordinances. The original postage stamp-size lots were expanded with purchased property to create a new plat. The approval of proposed plat drawings and house plans with project specifications and cost projections also provided to be challenging. Obtaining legal work for loan closings, developing the bidding documents, and overseeing the actual construction of the development proved to be a learning experience for Highland Rims's Housing Coordinator, Lewis Hassell. Success is a great reward. Five, beautiful, new homes are enjoyed by the families, the neighborhood, and the community. The families are pleased beyond measure. They were determined to remain in their neighborhood, especially Mrs. Mattie Williams whose family was deeded to property in 1890. In addition, a community has learned it can cooperate for a joint goal. Theodore Roosevelt said it best when he said, "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. Highland Rim knows that.

2260 Jefferson Street United Merchants Partner

Historically, Jefferson Street served as the service, retail and entertainment center for the residents of north Nashville living around Fisk University, Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University. The Ritz Theater was the movie place of choice; local jazz musicians gathered at Club Baron's; doctors' offices were located all along Jefferson Street. Bakeries, pharmacists and restaurants were all thriving businesses. The CAC had been in existence for about a year working toward the revitalization of the commercial district. They felt it was time to do more - provide a forum and a mechanism in which the merchants could participate more fully in the redevelopment of Jefferson Street.

At the recommendation of the Jefferson Street Commercial Revitalization District Citizens Advisory Committee, the City published an RFP to establish a merchants association. This effort spawned the establishment of Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership, Inc. (JUMP, Inc.) in 1994. The purpose of JUMP, Inc. is to develop, foster and promote cooperative economic development through revitalization, education and public safety programs. In this role, JUMP, Inc. is charged with the role of "mall manager." JUMP, Inc. works with merchants toward joint marketing efforts, providing information and promoting small business and facade Loan programs of the City. In their efforts to create an environment conductive to conducting business, JUMP, Inc. created and distributed 3,000 JUMP VIP discount cards to Tennessee State and Fisk University students to promote business for the merchants. In addition, JUMP continues to solicit memberships and form positive collaborative efforts with neighbor organizations such as the Nashville Urban League and the North Nashville Community Development Corporation. JUMP, Inc. also promotes community. A few examples include implemented a Community Cookout Day cosponsored by Coca-Cola; implemented homecoming activities at Tennessee State and Fisk Universities and the First Annual Christmas Extravaganza. JUMP, Inc.'s philosophy is that Jefferson Street is a neighborhood that includes both business owners and residents; therefore the two shall come together as one.

2328 Lane Garden Apartments

A cross-program team of CBs and PTOs reached out to HUD partners and the community to solve a difficult and sensitive problem involving relocation of 186 very low income families. Relocation became necessary when the non-profit owner of Lane Garden Apartments, a Section 236 housing development of 212 units in Nashville, Tennessee, notified residents June 30, 1999 of its intention to prepay the FHA mortgage and opt out of the Section 8 Program. All residents would have to vacate by January 31, 2000. Although the opt-out provided that qualifying residents would receive a Section 8 voucher for rental assistance, no HUD funding was provided to pay up-front fees or moving costs. In addition to the financial problems, a small number of the residents would not qualify for vouchers based on their criminal records, drug violations, etc. Other difficult problems to overcome included bad credit history and past due balances owed to the housing authority or to the Section 8 Program. With a median income of only $6,000, most residents of Lane Garden Apartments had no resources/reserves to pay application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, or moving expenses. Knowing the difficulty of a resident relocation and knowing the obstacles posed by having no Federal relocation funds, the HUD team immediately sought the assistance and resources of the community, calling upon the local housing authority, Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency (MDHA), Metropolitan Social Services and Metropolitan Action Commission for help. HUD staff made a personal appeal to the non-profit owner (Lane College Housing, Inc.) and the proposed new owner (Bank of America) for funds to assist residents with their moves. As a result of the appeal, $50,000 was set aside for distribution among residents. With 186 residents occupying the property when the opt-out decision was announced, each resident would be issued a $270 check as residents presented signed leases from their new landlords. In addition, the non-profit owner agreed to refund the total amount of each resident's security deposit when the unit was vacated. Even with the contribution of $270 per household and the refund of the security deposit, the team knew that up-front fees for a move in the Nashville market averaged $700 per household. To overcome the gap, the team solicited help from the community, including private landlords, community organizations, churches, charities, rental management agents, government agencies, etc. Key business and community leaders were invited to a briefing where the relocation problems facing the Lane Garden residents were presented, and a community resource group was formed. Actions were identified that each organization could take: landlords to identify rental units available or soon to be available; landlords to consider waiving application fees for Lane Garden residents; charities to provide financial assistance to very needed residents; church congregations to provide transportation for Lane residents in their search for a place to live; social service agencies to streamline their processing procedures in order to relocate 186 families by January 31, 2000, HUD to be on site one day a week throughout the relocation effort. Besides being called upon individually for assistance, the HUD relocation team met with the community resource group as a whole in September, October and November to advise everyone of the status of the moves and to get advice/suggestions on any issues that had surfaced. Toward the end of the relocation, the need for additional funds for the hardest of the hard-to-serve households surfaced. HUD partner MDHA contributed $3,000 to rent a U-Haul truck on two weekends and pay laborers to move 12 households. Working together, the HUD team and its community partners issued vouchers, found suitable housing and relocated 186 very low income families from Lane Garden Apartments on schedule. Based on the fees HUD pays its national relocation contractor, the relocation services performed by the HUD team and its community and business partners would have cost HUD $465,000 if they had been performed by the national contractor. Of course, use of the relocation contractor was not an option. Close monitoring of move outs enabled the HUD team to recover $40,304 in subsidy overpayments. These monies were credited to the Section 8 funding account. Altogether, the HUD team and its community partners saved the Department $505,304.

2788 Police Bike Report Card Incentive Program

The youth are rewarded bike cards for accumulating points by the grades on their report cards. They try to receive enough points to obtain the levels of biker, lieutenant, captain, and the highest card being the chief of police. The parents give the youth permission to give us their grades and a special party reward day is given to the youth receiving cards. The police are present to make the reward to the youth. The points are accumulated also by community service, helping a elderly and having good school attendance. The youth who earn enough points to receive a chief of police card are also given a special field trip at the end of the school year. The program also include residents who work at our five community helping and also the board of education partner with us to through the drug grant hire honor society students from the high school to help the youth with their homework to help bring up any low grades. The youth receive so many points for an A, so many for a B and so many for a C, and so many for their attendance and service to others and the community. On the back of each officers card they give a history biography of themselves and they also give a slogan they want the youth to remember. .

Content Archived: April 20, 2011