HUD HONORS LOUISVILLE METRO 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 7-10, 2010, in Louisville, Kentucky.

This year's Resident Initiative Program of the Year was awarded to the Louisville Metro Housing Authority's "SIT-UP Program." Keeping elderly and disabled residents living independently for as long as possible and improving their
quality of life is the goal of the Louisville Metro Housing Authority senior/disabled buildings of Lourdes Hall and Dosker Manor's Resident Opportunity Self-sufficiency (ROSS) Grant funded "SIT-UP Program." This program uses case management, counseling, wellness activities, leadership development, and community building services to support its disabled and elderly residents. It also provides access to community programs as well.

The program has three primary goals: 1.) Improve health and physical capacity; 2.) Provide linkages to community agencies, resources and services to obtain needed help; and 3.) Improve mental and emotional health. Some of the emphasis of the program include, but is not limited to:

• Home Safety, housekeeping assistance and personal hygiene education;
• Medical and social service referrals;
• Support groups; and
• Adult Education and Computer Access.

The program has many long-term staff to give credit to for "SIT-UP's" success: recently retired Executive Director, Mr. Robert Zeman and the new Director Ms. Kate Rudd, along with Ms. Lynette Booker, Case Manager. Staff is proud to share that, on average, 500 residents receive monthly services and benefit from the "SIT-UP program."

The Louisville HUD Field Office is proud to honor the Louisville Metro Housing Authority "SIT-UP Program" as the 2010 Resident Initiative 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 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

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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.