HUD HONORS HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BOWLING GREEN 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 Housing Authority of Bowling Green (HABG) was honored with the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program of the Year Award from among the 28 agencies in Kentucky that actively administer the program. The goals of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program are to assist Section 8 and Public Housing clients achieve economic independence
and self-sufficiency. The objectives of the program are accomplished by the agencies developing local strategies through public and private resources. Achieving self-sufficiency includes goals that are financial in nature and goals that will eliminate barriers to self-sufficiency such as health issues, family disputes and/or self-esteem. Individual Action Plans are developed by each FSS Agency. These Action Plans establish the methodology each agency
realizes as their own. Through use of their Action Plan the agencies assist the participants in developing their own individual FSS Action Plan to assist in the completion of their goals.

The HABG began their Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency program in the year 2005. The voluntary program was established with an initial goal of 50 participants. Their program size reached that goal within the first year. This program maintains their FSS program size to this day. Thirty-two participants have graduated from the program. Fifteen of their graduates have achieved homeownership, and their program now supports 14 families with escrow balances. This program offers its clients assistance to reach their goals in job training and employment; education; money management; homeownership and voters registration.

Information on basic life necessities and counseling services is offered. The counseling services help participants to confront issues that are threatening and damaging for the individual. Ten participants made tremendous changes in their lives due to the counseling services. We congratulate HABG as the 2009 FSS Program of the Year.

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 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

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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.