HUD HONORS HOUSING AUTHORITY OF WILLIAMSTOWN 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 7-10, 2010, in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Housing Authority of Williamstown (HAW) was honored with the 2010 Agency of the Year Award from among those Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in Kentucky managing less than 100 units.

This 30-unit PHA has been in existence since the mid-1960s. The PHA utilizes an average annual subsidy of approximately $94,000 to carry out its mission to families in its area.

Executive Director Kathy Faulkner has led the agency for 26 years and has succeeded in maintaining excellent,
high-scoring HUD ratings and is valued by the residents of the HAW.

Although she is supported by one part-time maintenance man, notable accomplishments have included the addition
of two playgrounds - one with a baseball field and a basketball court; a community room; and the installation of energy-efficient lighting, windows, new entryways and storm doors.

In addition to maintaining such a well-run facility, she also assists a neighboring PHA and manages 10 apartments
of rural housing. HUD is proud to present this award to the HAW.

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 40 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 Family Self-Sufficiency Program of the Year.

This year's award winners in each category included:

• Large PHA of the Year - Housing Authority of Newport
• Medium PHA of the Year - Housing Authority of Pineville
• Small PHA of the Year - Housing Authority of Williamstown
• Housing Choice Voucher Agency of the Year - Housing Authority of Paintsville
• Resident Initiative Program of the Year - Louisville Metro Housing Authority-Lourdes Hall and Dosker Manor
  "SIT-UP Program"
• Family Self-Sufficiency Program of the Year - Housing Authority of Glasgow

###

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; 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 ad enforces the nation's
fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.