HUD HONORS CUMBERLAND VALLEY REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY 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 23-25, 2009, in Louisville.

The Cumberland Valley Regional Housing Authority (RHA) was honored with the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Agency of the Year Award from among those authorities and agencies in Kentucky managing a HCV rental assistance program. The Cumberland Valley RHA manages over 1,400 housing choice vouchers in a 4 County jurisdiction where they have sustained high performance designations through the HUD performance rating system.

In 2005, upon identifying the seriousness of substance abuse issues and their affect on housing in the area they serve, Cumberland Valley RHA partnered with the State agency and developed the "Cumberland Hope Recovery Center" in Harlan County. This program provides recovery programs for Kentuckians suffering from substance abuse and addiction, which can lead to homelessness. They have cooperatively assisted HUD in Kentucky by taking over other programs that were failing, or in noncompliance, and improved the performance and service of these programs. The Executive Director has also successfully managed a nearby "troubled designated" public housing agency, exemplifying the dedication of this agency and its staff.

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 100-249 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 Covington
• Medium PHA of the Year - Housing Authority of London
• Small PHA of the Year - Housing Authority of Flemingsburg
• Housing Choice Voucher Agency of the Year - Cumberland Valley Regional Housing Authority
• Resident Initiative Program of the Year - Housing Authority of Providence
• Family Self-Sufficiency Program of the Year - Housing Authority of Bowling Green
• Website Design of the Year - Housing Authority of Pikeville

###

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.