HUD HONORS HOUSING AUTHORITY OF PIKEVILLE AS AGENCY OF THE YEAR FOR LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT
Carrollton, Paducah, Scottsville, 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.

The Large Public Housing Authority of the Year award was presented to executive director Sean Gilbert of the
Housing Authority of Pikeville (HAP). The HAP has been designated as a high performer under the Public Housing Assessment System for the last five years. Under the Housing Choice Voucher Management Assessment Program,
the HAP went from a standard performer to a high performer status for the last two years. Additionally, the HAP
took steps to make changes in its Housing Choice Voucher program to ensure that the vouchers were fully utilized
by the community.

The HAP has an active resident council that participates with the development of the HAP Annual Plan. The HAP manages its capital funds in an efficient and effective manner every year. Their current Board Chairperson has
served as a commissioner for over five years. She is also a public housing resident who lends a voice and credence
to many of the decisions that the housing authority makes with its planning.

Efforts by the authority in the community have resulted in a transformation of its downtown area. In 2001 the HAP took steps to finalize the formation of a non-profit entity and began planning for the revitalization of the Kentucky Avenue/High Street neighborhood. This area consisted of housing that was aged, some averaging 80 years or more. Some houses suffered from extensive neglect, which prevented use of the units to the rental assistance program participants. Access to many properties in the neighborhood was prevented due to the physical deterioration and overgrown vegetation. During the demolition stages, so much kudzu was removed that crews uncovered a house
that no one knew was in the area.

To accomplish the revitalization initiative, the HAP partnered with the City of Pikeville, Kentucky Housing Corporation, HUD, Appalachian Regional Commission, Kentucky Department of Transportation, the Kentucky Department of Local Government, Pikeville College, and the State Renaissance Program. The first six phases of the Kentucky Avenue/High Street neighborhood revitalization has cost $17 million, and the total investment is estimated at $20 million upon completion.

The initial stages involved the acquisition and demolition of approximately 100 units, and the HAP is considering
future acquisitions in order to facilitate additional development in the very near future. The first phase of 40 units were completed in 2003 (Housing Choice Voucher/site based/ tax credit units), and an additional 20 were completed
in 2004. These efforts have changed the face of this area in the outer downtown perimeter of the City of Pikeville. This effort has resulted in a massive infrastructure change: underground utilities, two-lane traffic expansion with parking on both sides, and two playgrounds. The new development also offers an assortment of supportive services for the residents because of collaborations established by the housing authority. For example, by emphasizing the importance of the area having access to public transportation, the HAP worked successfully with Sandy Valley Transportation to expand bus service in the area. This arrangement also resulted in improved and expanded services for the HAP's other public housing developments as well.

Other award winners included the Housing Authorities of Carrollton, Scottsville, 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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