HUD Introduces Father's Day Initiative to GAHRA Conference Attendees

Region IV Deputy Regional Administrator Chris Taylor addressing GAHRA Spring 2017 Conference attendees

GAHRA Conference attendees listening to Region IV Deputy Regional Administrator Taylor

HUD Southeast Deputy Regional Administrator Chris Taylor and Michael German, HUD Georgia Field Office lead participated in the opening session of the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (GAHRA), 78th Annual Conference held in Macon, Georgia recently. Before some 200 Georgia affordable housing professionals, they joined GAHRA President Russell Nast in addressing trends associated with the affordable housing industry and the importance of HUD's Fathers' Day Initiative.

Taylor commended GAHRA for their members' commitment to ongoing research and for their strong support of HUD's Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) as a viable option for preserving affordable housing stock. In addition, Taylor emphasized the importance of programs and strategies designed to strengthen families with a focus on "Building Healthy Families" and more specifically the Father's Day Intiative.

"The Father's Days Initiative kicks off in June and is designed to provide opportunities for fathers and families to connect and help ensure positive effects on children's development, health and well-being," said Taylor. "These activities vary in size and scope and public housing authorities are to be commended for their commitment to increasing participation in this worthwhile initiative."

German was introduced and warmly welcomed, as Taylor and Nast recognized him, as HUD's new lead in Georgia working with state and community leaders across HUD program areas and helping to address opportunities and concerns about public/affordable housing.

Adapted from the NYCHA Fatherhood Initiative, HUD's Father's Day Initiative was developed in response to the stark socio-economic data indicating how children and youth are being negatively affected by father-absent homes. Current statistics show that children suffer when their fathers are absent. This in no way suggests that HUD does not recognize the critical importance of mothers. The majority of public housing households with children are headed by single women who earn less than $9,000 annually, and they do a tremendous job of raising their children. However, per statistics drawn from communities across the country, children raised in absent father families are more at-risk for a host of negative factors, including dropping out of school. The focus on Father's Day is meant to be a starting point; either a celebration of existing relationships or a reason to form first connections.

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