HUD DESIGNATES HOUSING AUTHORITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY AS AN ENVISION CENTER
HUD Designates Housing Authority of Henderson as EnVision Center to serve as a hub to help HUD-assisted households become self-sufficient

ATLANTA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett today officially recognized and designated the Housing Authority of Henderson as an EnVision Center which serves as a critical component of Secretary Ben Carson's signature EnVision Center initiative in Henderson, Kentucky.

"As we work to succeed in helping more families become self-sufficient, more families will be able to access the housing assistance they so desperately need," said HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett. "EnVision Centers bring hope, opportunity and a platform of stability from which long-term success for thousands of families across the state and region may be able to benefit."

Following a highly competitive selection process, the Housing Authority of Henderson was selected to spearhead the EnVision Center initiative in Henderson. The designation is one of the newest of only 17 communities designated across the country this year as an EnVision Center and only the second one thus far in the state of Kentucky.

"We can and should be extremely proud of our Henderson Housing Authority and its management team for being recognized as one of the sites nationally to be designated a HUD EnVision Center. The EnVision Center will provide our Housing residents and low income families with a centralized hub for services. Those services will include workforce development opportunities as well as housing and living assistance, family and educational support and a dozen other valuable opportunities for our citizens. It's another big step forward for our community to collaborate for future success" said Henderson Mayor Steve Austin.

Through partnerships with key organizations such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, City of Henderson, Henderson Community College, Henderson County Public School System, Health Community Health Center, United Way of Henderson County and the VITA Program, the Envision Center will connect HUD-assisted and low income households with services that offer pathways to self-sufficiency.

EnVision Centers offer HUD-assisted family's access to support services that can help them achieve self-sufficiency, thereby making scarce federal resources more readily available to a greater number of households currently waiting to receive HUD assistance.

"Housing assistance should be more than just putting a roof over someone's head," said Secretary Carson. "These EnVision Centers offer a more holistic housing approach by connecting HUD-assisted families with the tools they need to become self-sufficient and to flourish."

Regina Stone, Section Eight Self-Sufficiency participant and graduate of the 2009 Certified Nursing Assistant class states "The program has changed my life and furthered my career in the medical field."

Located on or near public housing developments, EnVision Centers will be centralized hubs that serve as an incubator to support four key pillars of self-sufficiency — (1) Economic Empowerment, (2) Educational Advancement, (3) Health and Wellness, and (4) Character and Leadership.

"The mission of the Housing Authority of Henderson is to meet our community's needs by providing affordable quality housing and economic opportunities. It is our belief that a pathway to self-sufficiency through economic and educational opportunities lays the foundation for success in life. The Henderson Community has been very instrumental in providing services and programs for our residents" said Bobbie Jarrett, Housing Authority Director.

The Housing Authority of Henderson will be holding a Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting ceremony to announce the goals and visions of our EnVision Center on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. at the Housing Authority of Henderson Gym located at 111 S. Adams Street, Henderson, KY 42420. HUD Southeast Regional Administrator, Denise Cleveland-Leggett, and other HUD, State and Local officials will attend the event.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.

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