HUD HONORS HOUSING AUTHORITY OF SCOTTSVILLE AS AGENCY OF THE YEAR FOR SMALL PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT
Carrollton, Pikeville, Paducah, Louisville, Bowling Green, and Covington Housing Authorities/Agencies Also Receive Awards

LOUISVILLE - The Louisville HUD Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), presented awards for excellence in management to several housing agencies at the Kentucky Housing Association Mid-Year Conference held February 12-15, 2006, in Louisville.

The Louisville HUD Office annually recognizes superior program administration by presenting awards for Small Public Housing Authority (PHA) of the Year for housing authorities with less than 100 units; Mid Size Public Housing Authority of the Year for housing authorities with 100-250 units, and Large Public Housing Authority of the
Year for housing authorities with more than 250 units; and, for Housing Choice Voucher Agency of the Year for housing choice voucher rental assistance program administrators. Awards are also given for Resident Initiative Program of the Year, Family Self Sufficiency Program of the Year, and a new Best Practices for Web Site Design of the Year. One-hundred and five public housing authorities are in competition for the public housing
awards and forty-four Housing Choice Voucher agencies compete for the Housing Choice Voucher award. To be considered for the authority and agency of the year awards, the competing organizations must excel at property, financial, and occupancy rate management.

Executive director David Dinwiddie, the board of directors, and the staff of the Housing Authority of Scottsville
(HAS) were awarded the Small PHA of the Year for continuously exhibiting commitment to the families it serves in numerous ways. Its high performance is evident in the improvements it has accomplished over the last four years, which include exterior renovations, a new park, new office building, new landscaping, new sidewalks, and new
streets. In addition, this year the HAS developed and now manages 28 units of senior housing.

The HAS meets the needs of their families not only in the residential units it manages, but also with community partnerships and services provided on site. The HAS has started a youth program called STARS; and has partnered with various agencies in the community to acquire a $450,000 Drug Free Community Grant for which it serves as the fiscal agent. Also on premises are the partner agencies of: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Community Development Alliance, Barren River Area Safe Space (BRASS), Life Skills Adult Daycare, and the Scottsville Music Conservatory.

The HAS maintains a high level of community support as is evident in numerous projects to which various entities contribute their support. For the last four years the community, including the city and county government, Chamber of Commerce, Allen County School System, and the YMCA, has supported and funded the activities for the children
of STARS. They aided in clothing and toy drives, held seasonal parties, and enjoyed three successful years of award winning floats in the community Christmas parade. Over 30 community agencies have supported the Authority's
"Back to School Fair," which in four years has grown from serving 30 to over 600 children, with assistance for school supplies, clothing, shoes, haircuts and other preparations for a successful school year. The Authority has also recruited leaders in their industries to promote success for their students, including former NBA players, Super Bowl winners, Miss America, and a Nashville record producer.

Other award winners included the Housing Authorities of Carrollton, Pikeville, Louisville, Bowling Green, and
Covington, as well as the City of Paducah Housing Choice Voucher Program.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as
well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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