2000 Best Practice Awards

2000-308 Empowering the Residents of Pebble Creek Apartments

Manager Etta Paul is insuring that her residents and the community are empowered. She grabs each and every opportunity to partner with the community to provide opportunities for the residents of Pebble Creek and the surrounding community. That she has been successful in her activities is clearly evidenced by strong letters of support and endorsement from the City of Arlington Housing Authority, Mission Arlington, Arlington Police Department, Lincoln Property Management Company, as well as the owners of her property. According to the owner of Pebble Creek, Etta's "'Tough but Fair' attitude applied uniformly to each problem has turned Pebble Creek from a bight on the community to a jewel in the crown of affordable housing....violence and drug related crime statistics are down....Etta has devoted her energies to ensuring Pebble Creek residents receive food, clothing, security, enjoyment, and perhaps most importantly a sense of personal improvement, purpose, and growth...Etta has physically drawn the outside community inside Pebble Creek by offering much needed space to charitable partners in exchange for service to our residents." Deputy Police Chief Ken Burton from the Arlington Police Department said, "Etta has a strong commitment to children and has worked with the Arlington Police Department to set up a reward program to encourage good grades in school....She is very involved with her community and was instrumental in the establishment of the Police Store Front..." From the Arlington Housing Authority, "Because of these partnerships, families have been given opportunities to participate in programs to further their education and receive support and guidance in health and life skills that may enhance quality of life." Mission Arlington sated, "Under the leadership of the present Manger....There is such pride in the residents because they know they are cared for. It seems that all have risen to stand tall in the community with pride and say, 'I live at Pebble Creek Apartments.'"

2000-587 Affordable Housing Homeowners Result of Partnership

Temple Housing Authority (THA) owns and operates 949 rental units in Temple, a city of 54,000. A key objective of THA is to provide opportunities for working residents to move out of Public Housing and become homeowners. As a result of the Homeownership Program described below, the Housing Authority is now the City’s largest single-family home developer. The Authority’s Affordable Homeownership Program was developed in 1997 because low-income families could not qualify for mortgage loans and affordable housing was not being built in Temple. Affordable housing is defined as homes selling below $63,000. Most low-income families could not locate an affordably priced home and did not have funds needed for downpayment and closing costs. These major homeownership obstacles were eliminated by the program and builder participation partnerships. The program provides funds for down payment and closing costs that enable low-income families to qualify to purchase homes built by local contractors who are participating in the program. The partnerships between government agencies and private businesses including Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), the City of Temple, local builders, financial institutions, Real Estate companies and the Housing Authority have resulted in an extremely successful homeownership program. The program targets and helps low-income families (those making 80% or less of the area median income) purchase new affordable homes. The average home price is currently $60,524. A typical home has 1146 square feet, three bedrooms, two baths, all brick exterior and a single car garage. The homebuyer can customize their home by choosing floor plan, roof configuration, color of brick, carpets, paint, etc. Qualifying families select house plans that fit their family’s needs or purchase newly constructed homes. Most homeowners find their mortgage payments are no more than their previous rents. The City of Temple provides up to $2,500 of CDBG or General funds to each low-income homebuyer for closing cost assistance. The Housing Authority provides $5,000 of HOME funds from Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to each homebuyer for downpayment costs. This provides each new low-income homeowner with up to $7,500 to help purchase a new home. For those applicants whose income exceeds TDHCA’s program income guidelines, the City provides a lesser amount for downpayment assistance. Applicants with incomes between 81 and 100% of median income receive $3,250. Applicants with incomes between 101 and 115% of median income receive $1,625. Mortgage financing is provided by local financial institutions. Many of the homeowners benefit from first time homebuyer incentives and low interest rates offered by these financial institutions. The above mentioned funds are complimented by the acquisition of lots by the Housing Authority in quantities which make it possible to offer appealing homesites with all infrastructure in good neighborhoods to builders for about $6,000 a lot. The lots cost about $5,000 less than their value and make it possible for the homes to be sold at $10,000 to 15,000 less than appraised values. The ability to obtain and replant building sites into affordable lots with an average purchase price of $6,000 has helped keep home prices within the affordable range. THA housing development expertise has been invaluable in this portion of the program. Infrastructure improvements in one 91 lot subdivision were completed using Interim Construction loan funds from TDHCA. A group of four builders dedicated to providing affordable housing have built, marketed and sold homes under this program. They have participated in the program since inception. The builders follow affordable home construction criteria designed specifically for the program and they also provide walk-through and warranty explanations prior to closing for each new homebuyer. All participants are required to complete a minimum of 8 hours of homebuyer training. Training is conducted in accordance with the Texas Statewide Homebuyer Education Program and HUD. Marketing for this program consists of open houses at building sites, newspaper advertising, billboard advertising and word-of-mouth by new homeowners.

2000-852 The Village at Fox Creek

This is the first HUD defined affordable housing development within the community, in over 20 years, that combines housing units near multiple services, employment opportunities, shopping and medical services specifically for the low and very low income community. 13 percent (16) of these units are designed to meet accessibility for individuals who have visual, physical and mobility impairments. The development was made possible through the collaborative funding efforts of Private Sector Funding, HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program.

2000-1183 Contract For Deed Conversion Initiative

The focus of the Contract For Deed Conversion Initiative is to assist colonia residents to become property homeowners by converting their contracts for deeds into traditional mortgages. After residents convert their contracts for deed into traditional mortgages, the program provides colonia residents with the opportunity to seek funding for construction, rehabilitation, and other benefits that comes with homeownership. In addition, pre- and post-counseling is conducted to all eligible colonia residents. The Office of Colonia Initiatives currently oversees the following Contract for Deed Conversion activities in accordance to the mandates: · Contract For Deed Conversion Program - Individual Conversions: Individuals that would like to participate in this program must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of this country and must not earn more than 60% of the AMFI of $27,480 (not adjusted for family size). The properties proposed for this initiative must be located in a colonia as identified by the Texas Water Development Board colonia list or meet the Department's definition of a colonia. · Contract For Deed Conversion Program - Bulk Purchase: Developers may propose to sell portfolios consisting of individual lots under a contract for deed to the Department. Pricing for the portfolio will be solely negotiated between the Department and the holder of the contracts for deed. Eligible participants in this program must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of this country and must not earn more than 60% of the AMFI of $27,480 (not adjusted for family size). The properties proposed for this initiative must be located in a colonia as identified by the Texas Water Development Board colonia list or meet the Department's definition of a colonia. · HOME Contract For Deed Conversion Program: This program will allow eligible applicants to assist residents living in Texas colonias, within 150 miles of the Texas-Mexico border, to convert their existing contract for deed into a traditional note and deed of trust. All properties must be in a colonia as determined by the Texas Water Development Board or meet the Department’s definition of a colonia. Residents must also meet all applicable HOME Program requirements. Applicants will be required to meet minimum threshold criteria to be considered for an award. Ø Eligible Applicants: Units of General Local Government, Public Housing Agencies, Nonprofit Organizations, and For-Profit Entities. Ø Eligible Activity: Contract for Deed Conversion, costs related to the prepayment of unpaid principal for existing contracts for deed, closing costs related to the conversion, and minor rehabilitation costs associated with bringing the home up to Colonia Housing Standards (CHS). The Office of Colonia Initiatives (OCI) was established within the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (the Department) in June 1996. The OCI coordinates Department and Legislative initiatives involving border issues and manage a portion of the Department's existing programs targeted for colonias. Colonias are generally described as subdivisions in unincorporated areas located within 150 miles of the Texas-Mexico border, or a city or town with a population of less than 10,000 according to the latest U.S. Census, that has a majority population composed of individuals and families of low and very low income, who lack decent, safe, and sanitary housing, together with basic services such as potable water, adequate sewer and waste water services, streets and utilities. According to the Texas Water Development Board, more than 400,000 Texans live in over 1,500 colonias . Most colonias are located in Hidalgo, Cameron, Maverick, Willacy, Webb, Starr and El Paso counties. While each colonia is different and may have needs unique to that area, most share the same general characteristics. Most colonias are removed from urban areas and are largely Hispanic in population. Not surprisingly, the predominant language is Spanish, which inhibits access to programs and the exchange of information from sources outside the colonias. A contract for deed is an obligation where the buyer pays the purchase price and interest in regular payments within a certain period of time before acquiring title to the property. Unlike a traditional mortgage, a buyer purchasing land through a contract for deed does not have the benefits of building equity in the property. Historically, residents utilizing a contract for deed were put at a severe disadvantage because the ownership rights to the land does not transfer or anything built on it until the purchase price is paid in full. Many times holders of these contract for deeds take advantage of the situation by charging exorbitant interest rates (usually 14% to 18%), failing to properly record payments made by the residents and failing to provide promised infrastructure (i.e., water or wastewater services, paved streets, etc.) in the colonia. In 1997, the 75th Legislature passed Appropriations Rider 17, and in 1999, the 76th Legislature passed Appropriations Rider 14; these legislative directives require the Department to spend no less than $4 million on contract for deed conversions for families that reside in a colonia and earn 60% or less of the Applicable Area Median Family Income (AMFI) and convert no less than 400 contracts for deed into traditional notes and deeds of trust on a biennium basis.

2000-2268 NHS of Waco

NHS provides down payment and closing cost assistance, homebuyer education, credit and budget counseling and develops affordable housing through its acquisition-rehab and infill new construction programs. NHS is also partnering with City of Waco Housing Authority to create an 18 unit single family subdivision named Pecan Valley Estates, which is currently under construction.

2000-2539 CDBG Sidewalk Job Training Project

This is a unique project that serves a dual purpose of reconstructing existing public facilities (sidewalks), and provides meaningful job training opportunities that lead to full-time employment. The CDBG Sidewalk Program is a six-month job training opportunity for unemployed or low/no skills workers that teaches participants the basics of concrete work through sidewalk construction. In addition, the program enables participants to acquire a commercial driver’s license. The program operates year round, but graduates a class each six months. A concept of City Manager Jim Berzina, the program develops skills that can be transferred to the local labor market and teaches workers about job responsibility and how to meet performance standards. The work crews replace defective sidewalks and construct new sidewalks where none existed in CDBG target areas within the city. The program focuses on particular sectors of the community: low-income neighborhoods, downtown, various city parks, high-traffic areas around public schools, and public facilities of the City of Wichita Falls and Wichita County. The workers also build handicapped-accessible ramps and lay curb & gutter and driveway approaches when needed. Two work crews of three laborers each are led by crew leaders supplied by the City. The City also provides a ½ time backhoe operator. Workers are paid $6.40 per hour for 40-hour work-weeks. Each team is supervised by a City Street Department employee, and uses some City equipment to perform the work. CDBG funds are primarily used to pay salaries and purchase concrete.

2000-1 City of Killeen Elderly Transportation Program

Using CDBG funding, the Community Development Division provides transportation needs to the elderly citizens residing in the City of Killeen. The City has contracted with the local taxi company to provide services for persons eligible under this program. The program entitles eligible participants to receive eight (8) one way rides per month to locations in Killeen and the immediate surrounding area. Each participant goes through an orientation that describes the purpose and guidelines of the program. A ride card is issued to each participant. The participant signs the ride card. A photo of the rider is taken and placed on the ride card, which is then laminated. The ride card indicates the month, year and amount of available rides for each month. Each time a ride is used, the taxi company subtracts a ride on the ride card. Transportation is available to the rider 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. The telephone numbers for the taxi dispatch are provided on the ride card.

2000-458 Sears Neighborhood Citizen's Outreach Initiative

Sears Neighborhood is a primarily Hispanic neighborhood in Abilene, Texas in need of revitalization. Several Abilene Hispanic leaders with ties to the neighborhood have formed the Sears Revitalization Committee to define the specific needs and to develop a plan to address those needs for the area. Despite attempts of conducting neighborhood meetings with extensive outreach, the attendance has not been significant. The average attendance has been around twenty residents The committee did conduct a survey from which the plan was developed. The City of Abilene, through its Community Development staff has participated in the Sears Neighborhood group meetings and concurs with its findings. However, the City had concerns that a more representative response from the area residents themselves must be present in order to buy in on the proposed plan. The City and the committee designed and are utilizing a newsletter in Spanish and English which has been distributed to each household and business in the area as the vehicle to obtain the necessary input for the proposed plan. This will assure that the community will have the input and will overcome whatever is the cause of the low attendance at the meetings. With a substantial assistance from the City, the group put together a comprehensive Sears Neighborhood Newsletter that details the groups work in both English and Spanish. It informs the residents that the group has met, that committees and subcommittees have been formed and that certain actions have been identified that would address the neighborhoods needs. The newsletter goes on to specify that each resident can contribute their input on the overall process or specific actions to the committee or subcommittee. Names and phone numbers of contact persons are identified for follow up and an insert was included to facilitate the feedback.

2000-3249 Arlington New Beginnings Elderly Supportive Housing Development

Located in a historic area of the city, Arlington New Beginnings Elderly Supportive Housing Development consist of seven duplexes and a multi-purpose facility that serves as residence to elderly citizens who are in need of affordable housing with ancillary services. Each apartment contains two bedrooms and has more than ample space for a live in aide or a family member to provide daily support in essential areas to an elderly resident. The inception of this project was the vision of the N.L. Robinson, Senior Pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington. He desired to construct a development that would be a "beacon of light for the elderly in the community by providing an affordable housing alternative that would enrich and enhance their mature years." With that vision, the church created a faith-based organization that has as its primary mission to create and support affordable housing initiatives in the city.

2000-668 Homework/Participation Points Incentive Program

The Sherman Housing Authority has an incentive program where children enrolled in the "Kids' Club After School Program" earn points for completing homework assignments and special school projects with assistance from the community center staff and community volunteer tutors. Two points are earned for each day a child completes his/her homework assignment. One point is earned for each day a child participates in a program offered at the community center. We offer quiet areas for children to do their school assignments with adult supervision and assistance. Children are provided with all needed school supplies; research materials in our library; calculators, computers, and typewriters in our computer lab. Points are also accrued according to the average grades made on a report card. Once each month, participants are allowed to shop, using their points, for prizes and homework supplies in the "Homework Shopping Store." Prizes are solicited through the "Wish List" in our monthly.

Jr. High homemaking project -- painting a house with college volunteer	Kids Club members write goals during an after-school activity
Building a sugar cube pyramid with foster grandparent volunteer	Study skills group learning to count moneywith resident volunteer

2000-679 Annual School Supply Project

The Sherman Housing Authority Annual School Supply Project provides school supplies to students who participate in community center programs and perform community service to earn a required number of points. The points are in turn used to purchase supplies donated to the community center. Some of the community service jobs include assisting with programs, picking up trash, sweeping sidewalks, weeding flower beds, and helping wash the community center van. Among the community center programs are those to teach study skills (math, reading, spelling, etc.), scouting, Reading is Fundamental, computer lab, and peer group discussions. The Sherman Police Association and local churches donate all the school supplies including a backpack for each child participating.

2000-3250 The Women's Shelter Project

The Women's Shelter Project involved the construction of a new 21,000 square foot facility to serve the victims of domestic violence and their children. The facility provides safety and security in a non-restrictive environment. The goal of building a new shelter was accomplished through a community fundraising effort using CDBG funds to attract additional pledges over a three period of time from individuals, businesses and foundations. As a result of a very successful fund raising capital campaign , the shelter met the $2.5 million cost of constructing the new facility, and also raised enough funds to establish an endowment to cover operating expenses.

2000-1842 Partnership for Change Project

In February 1998, the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman signed an agreement to work more efficiently by working together to bring food and nutrition assistance programs to residents of public housing. This agreement signaled to the U.S. Department of Agriculture –Food and Nutrition Services (USAD-FNS) that "outside the box" solutions and partnerships with nontraditional partners was encouraged to reduce hunger in America. USDA FNS Southwest Region staff, inspired by the agreement, looked at areas of need and sought to develop a partner project. Early contacts were made and in July 1998, a partner was found in the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Office of Colonia Initiatives (TDHCA-OCI). The initiating agencies: · the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affair (TDHCA), the state’s lead agency in housing and community development issues that include low interest mortgage financing, emergency food or shelter, rental subsidy, energy assistance, weatherization, economic development, and the provision of basic public infrastructure for small rural communities and colonias. The Office of Colonia Initiatives (OCI) is a division of TDHCA that addresses all colonia issues along the Texas Mexico border. · the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Southwest Region, a federal agency that administers federal food and nutrition assistance programs such as the Food Stamp Program, school meals, USDA commodity programs, and the Women, Infants and Children’s nutrition program (WIC); and OCI knew of the dire conditions faced by the 400,000 Americans in the Texas colonias along the Texas-Mexico border because TDHCA is funding border counties to provide basic public infrastructure in the colonias. OCI was also aware of the urgent need for health services, food and nutrition. The strategy OCI and FNS took to bring help to the colonias was to seek partners – not only its traditional partners but agencies it had never worked with. OCI brought other colonia experts from federal housing programs and higher educational institutes and FNS brought experts in the food and health programs. Both lead agencies encouraged their long-time partners to participate and work with unfamiliar allies to achieve the common goal of "helping improve the lives of colonia residents". Prompted by this new knowledge of needs in the colonias, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Southwest Region reinvented the way it has administered its federal food and nutrition assistance programs for three decades. FNS targeted actions and resources to the colonias -- some of the poorest communities in the nation. In November 1998, a team of nine (9) federal, state, and university organizations stated their mission – "to improve the nutrition, health, and living conditions of the residents of the Texas colonias" and began to implement changes. This alliance was aptly named Partnership for Change. Partners complement each others programs and are finding solutions to provide water, paved roads and solid waste systems, but, are also reducing hunger, improving nutrition and are helping all colonia residents better their health and living conditions. This way of operating is a vast departure from the typical way government agencies approach problems who traditionally work within narrow confines working only with other agencies with a similar mission. But with Partnership for Change, team members have moved government beyond "if we build it, they will come" program delivery to "work with us, tell us what’s needed, and let’s find a way to build it together" -- a proactive approach that targets a specific problem and, to solve it, seeks out experts with a visible accepted presence in the community and who know the needs and culture of the people. After the partnership was formed, a committee looked at the 30+ counties of the Rio Grande Valley that have colonias and selected pilot areas Webb, Willacy and Hidalgo. In the pilot areas, TDHCA is providing funds for first time public infrastructure; is paving roads; and has self help centers that provide housing assistance and a tool lending library, homeownership classes and provide technical assistance about housing issues and community development. After visits to the colonias, USDA saw the urgency of the situation and immediately began making social service programs available to the colonia residents including WIC, food stamps, school meals and summer feeding for children. Accessibility to WIC programs has been difficult for colonia residents due to geographical and cultural issues, but now, partners are reaching out. Ten new clinics have been constructed in the colonias and $2.5 million in net projected health care cost savings can be attributed to Partnership for Change. The clinics provide the services of the Women, Infants and Children’s nutrition program (childhood immunizations, nutritional screening and counseling, help with breast feeding, and grocery store vouchers for healthy foods). 4500 colonia women, infants and children will be served by WIC-- a program participation increase of almost 70 percent. The partnership is eliminating physical barriers for clients, but a subsequent challenge was communication between some partners and the community. To overcome this barrier, the help of promotoras -- colonia residents trained to educate their family, friends and neighbors about all social services available to them was sought. In Webb County, OCI educated 25 promotoras to disseminate education to residents about housing programs and consumer education workshops available to the residents. USDA researchers accompanied by promotoras went door-to-door in six colonias conducting one-on-one interviews to promote WIC participation, evaluate current WIC education efforts, and assess unmet needs. The information gathered from these interviews is being used to develop educational programs targeted to the unique needs of the colonia residents -- sanitation, drinking water safety, food safety, gardening and basic nutrition. The partnership evolution occurred when the partners chose the three pilot counties with very different challenges. This provided a broad spectrum of challenges and was designed to ease expansion into the other 30+ Texas counties with colonias. Now, some partners have expanded into four additional counties. Partners continue to form sub-partnerships and are reaching out to local organizations/volunteers to help accomplish partnership goals in other border counties.

2000-1845 Contract for Deed Consumer Education Program

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), the state’s lead agency in housing and community development issues was required by the 74th Texas Legislature to create a Contract for Deed Consumer Education Program to help protect the residential property rights of colonia residents. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is required to designate counties affected by this law annually. The County Clerk of each county is notified that the provisions of this law must be enforced. The Office of Colonia Initiatives (OCI) a division of TDHCA that addresses colonia issues along the Texas Mexico border, developed and implemented the program that affects approximately 400,000 colonia residents living in substandard housing communities along the border in 1400 colonias located along 900 miles of the Texas-Mexico border from Brownsville to El Paso, Texas. Recognizing the special needs of the target population, the OCI planned and developed a bilingual curriculum and teaching tools for the program. The OCI asked the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee (CRAC) review the program curriculum during its preliminary stages of development to assure the creation of a functional program for the residents. The CRAC, a group of colonia residents from El Paso, Webb, Willacy, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr Counties represent approximately 312,000 residents in these counties. They are appointed by TDHCA to provide advice regarding the needs of colonia residents and on appropriate and effective housing programs operated through colonia self-help centers. Once the core bilingual curriculum was completed, OCI designed a bilingual version of a Contract for Deed power-point presentation, a video, a brochure, a training manual and participant’s manual, and a poster to use as teaching and marketing tools for the program. A training kit that includes all the teaching and marketing tools was created for the program educators and facilitators. Registration sheets are used to track the number of workshop attendees and the participants complete bilingual evaluation sheets. After finalizing program logistics, the OCI selected five pilot areas (CRAC areas listed above) to plan a functional program to reduce program failure. First, it addressed language barriers (legal terminology translations included in the curriculum) so it scheduled pilot workshops for four months to test the curriculum in the CRAC counties. These counties have the most dense and populated colonias (312,000 population) and have different geographical dialects (example: foreclosure, forfeiture and county clerk is translated differently). Second, colonia residents traditionally do not have access to transportation so OCI looked at the accessibility to the workshops. Public transportation is minimal so the pilot workshops were held in churches, residential homes, school facilities and community centers in the colonias. This tactic assured user-friendly sites and focused on the problem of mistrust of government programs by the residents. Following the pilot workshops, OCI looked at the marketing and outreach aspects of the program. A request for proposal was issued and contractors were selected to implement contract for deed workshops. The selected contractors are well known established grass roots organizations in the colonias. Because of limited discretionary funding to implement the program, OCI sought partnerships with two universities. The Texas A&M University, Center for Housing and Urban Development (CHUD) Colonias Program has approximately fourteen community centers along the border and have established groups of colonia residents called promotoras -- colonia residents trained to educate their family, friends and neighbors about all social services available to them. OCI has trained twenty-five (25) promotoras about the program and currently, fifty (50) promotoras disseminate program literature. A second partner, the University of Texas Pan American, Office of Center Operations and Community Services agreed to conduct contract for deed awareness, outreach and public education campaign and to conduct contract for deed workshops in colonias of Hidalgo County.

2000-2060 Integrating Skills for a New Century

The Fort Worth Housing Authority (FWHA) is meeting the challenge of preparing residents for viable job skills needed in the new century, and supportive services necessary to obtain and sustain employment. In partnership with collaborative partners, the FWHA is integrating self-sufficiency programs to "holistically" meet the challenge of moving public and assisted housing residents from welfare dependency to work and independence. The "root causes" of poverty are being addressed, including the need for academic enhancement and literacy skills, vocational training and job placement in "demand" occupations, life skills enhancement, affordable child care, and transportation linkages to employment. The FWHA utilizes its Family Investment Center (FIC) as the focal point for its self-sufficiency efforts. The Family Investment Center is a "one stop" center where public housing and Section 8 residents have the opportunity to complete their GED's, to receive job counseling, to complete clerical training and other vocational training and to access other supportive services needed to become self-sufficient. The FWHA FIC and the surrounding community have been designated by HUD as a Campus of Learners (20 Education Communities). Health care services are being provided through the Agape Clinic and subsidized child care is provided on-site at the Amaka Child Care Center. The FWHA had utilized various funding streams for its self-sufficiency efforts including HUD, DOL (WorkAdvantage), CDBG, and in-kind financial contributions provided by collaborative partners. In addition, the FWHA has collaborated with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority under the Welfare-to-Work Reverse Commute Grant to provide transportation linkages for residents to "demand" occupations in the Metroplex. FWHA Resident Programs and Family self-sufficiency staff have the primary responsibility for providing self-sufficiency linkages and case management for residents through the EDSS Program,, the FSS Program, the FIC and WorkAdvantage Program funded through the Department of Labor. In 2000 these efforts will be continued through the ROSS Grant.

2000-714 Family Self Sufficiency Program of the Weatherford, Texas Housing Authority

The Family Self Sufficiency Program of the Weatherford, Texas Housing Authority is a successful program designed to encourage tenants to become economically self sufficient and more knowledgeable of housing opportunities. Tenants accomplish this by participating in the Weatherford Housing Authorities program which assists them in setting goals that are best suited for them and their financial status. Tenants are guided through a structured program in which the Housing Authority Staff helps them establish individual action plans. For example, tenants may pursue completion of their high school education through the GED program or may complete other vocational training as well. Tenants are also guided through other learning programs that acquaint them with the various community resources that can best help them achieve their goals toward self sufficiency.

2000-678 Crime Prevention Resource Center-Fort Worth-Tarrant County, Texas

The Crime Prevention Resource Center is the central point of information for all segments of the community regarding crime and prevention information. The Center works to encourage each segment of the community of Fort Worth-Tarrant County, Texas to recognize and accept an appropriate role in sharing the responsibility for creating and sustaining crime-free communities. The Center: educates the community about crime issues and effective prevention strategies; convenes groups for quick response to breaking public safety issue; builds capacity of individuals and groups to be actively involved in creating and sustaining safe communities; and, serves as a one-stop center for gathering and disseminating information and resources. The Center offers training workshops on Community Leadership Development Program and Regional Community Policing Institute to individuals and community groups throughout the state of Texas to learn about the community's role in addressing public safety issues and community-oriented policing. The Center services the community at large by offering resource library and a multi-media training center to to broadcast satellite conferences and to provide meeting space to community groups.

2000-552 Texoma Housing Partners

In response to the growing needs of smaller housing authorities, and the expectations HUD has placed on PHAs, Texoma Council of Governments (TxCOG), offered a unique solution. In January 1993 eight administrative contracts were initiated providing professional management services. As a result of the success of this collaboration, additional smaller housing authorities continue to seek out TxCOGs professional management services. To date, sixteen PHAs have joined the partnership, that covers four north central Texas counties. The PHAs range in size from 6 to 104 units, totaling approximately 500 units. Each PHA selects one of their existing board members to represent them on the larger partnership board. This allows each PHA to feel they are equally represented regarding budget, development, operations, and future projects. All ready there has been tremendous improvement regarding the administrative responsibilities, budget savings, and the ability to address capital improvements. By consolidating the cost of administrative and capital expenses, each of the sixteen PHAs gain. The customers that have benefited from this partnership are the sixteen PHAs, the sixteen cities that want good, decent PH, board and elected officials, the HUD Public Housing Office, and most of all the approximately 1,200 individuals residing in the public housing units that call the PHAs their home.

Content Archived: April 20, 2011