HUD and Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (GAHRA) Address Challenges

Left to right: Mr. Jennings HUD SE Regional Administrator, Ms. Holloway HUD GA Director of Public Housing, NAHRO President Betsy Martens, GAHRA President Rebecca Hartman, SERC President Thomas Rowe

HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. and HUD Georgia Director of Public Housing Ada Holloway participated in the opening session of the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (GAHRA) (www.gahra.org/) 74th Annual Conference held in Augusta, Georgia recently. Before some 350 Georgia affordable housing professionals, they joined NAHRO National President Betsey Martens, SERC President Thomas Rowe, GAHRA President Rebecca Hartman, and PHADA Executive Director Tim Kaiser, in articulating issues and concerns facing the affordable housing industry.

Noting continued budget constraints, Jennings commended GAHRA for their members' commitment to research and considering HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration program (RAD) as a viable option for the future financial health of their authorities. In addition, Jennings emphasized the importance of programs and strategies designed to strengthen families. Understanding the complexity of the issues facing housing authorities and highlighting the conference theme, "Moving Forward with Clarity and Conviction," Jennings confirmed that this will be accomplished through the sincere commitment and strengthened partnerships of all stakeholders.

Sessions focused on the latest information and course of actions that affordable housing may take in addressing the challenges facing public housing. The sessions included assisted living, human services - resident support and services, financial management, housing and development, HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration program, management and maintenance.

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