HUD HONORS HOUSING AUTHORITY OF HOPKINSVILLE FOR SUPERIOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

LOUISVILLE - The Louisville Field 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 11-14, 2007, in Louisville.

The Housing Authority of Hopkinsville was honored with the Agency of the Year Award from among those Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in Kentucky managing 250 or more units. With an annual budget of approximately $2.6 million, this 456-public housing unit and 484-unit Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program PHA has sustained both Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and Section 8 Management Assessment System (SEMAP) high
performance designations since 2002, averaging a score of 97 between the two assessments. Their annual risk assessment ranking is among the lowest for large PHAs based on continuous improvements to program
implementation and financial and physical soundness. In addition to its role as landlord for 940 households, the PHA has historically augmented its programs with numerous and varied opportunities for their families to become self-sufficient. This PHA also recently expanded their mission to include the development and management of 48 units of federally assisted elderly housing.

The HUD Louisville Field Office annually recognizes superior program administration by presenting awards for Small
PHA of the Year for housing authorities with less than 100 units in management; Medium PHA of the Year for housing authorities with 100 to 249 units in management; Large PHA of the Year for housing authorities with 250 or more
units in management; and, for Housing Choice Voucher Agency of the Year for rental assistance program administrators. One hundred and five PHAs compete for the public housing awards and forty Housing Choice Voucher agencies compete for the rental assistance 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.

Awards are also given for Resident Initiative Program of the Year, Family Self- Sufficiency Program of the Year, and Best Practices Recognition for Website Design of the Year.

This year's award winners in each category included:

• Large PHA of the Year - Housing Authority of Hopkinsville
• Medium PHA of the Year - Housing Authority of Catlettsburg
• Small PHA of the Year - Housing Authority of Salyersville
• Housing Choice Voucher Agency of the Year - Paris-Bourbon County Community Development Agency
• Resident Initiative Program of the Year - Housing Authority of Covington
• Family Self-Sufficiency Program of the Year - Kentucky Housing Corporation
• Website Design of the Year - Housing Authority of Somerset

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, and 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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