HUD HONORS HOUSING AUTHORITY OF SOMERSET WITH OUTSTANDING
WEB DESIGN AWARD

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 Somerset (HAS) was honored with a Best Practices Award for Website Design of the Year after being unanimously chosen by the HUD selection committee based upon independent reviews. The website,
which can be accessed at www.hasomerset.org, was found to be comprehensive, clear, and easy to use. Another impressive, customer-friendly aspect of the website is that customers can apply for housing online. The HAS also includes information about services that they provide to their residents, such as the Neighborhood Networks
computer program and the homeownership program. The website also provides important links to other agency resources and clearly demonstrates partnerships with community organizations. The website was designed by Cumberland Creative Designs.

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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