HUD Visits Chattanooga Leadership and Recognizes City Employee

HUD visits Chattanooga Leadership and Recognizes City Employee

On March 28, 2013, Knoxville HUD Field Office Director, Ed Ellis, and Management Analyst, Suzanne Wright met with representatives of Congressman Chuck Fleishmann,TN-03 (http://fleischmann.house.gov/), and Senators Lamar Alexander (www.alexander.senate.gov/public/) and Bob Corker (www.corker.senate.gov/public/), in Chattanooga, to detail current HUD programs and incentives that would benefit Chattanooga residents and businesses.

Particular emphasis was placed on the HUD VASH Program, Choice Neighborhood Program, and foreclosure prevention programs. Ellis also met with the new Mayor-Elect, Andy Berke (www.andyberke.com/news-1/
mayor-elect-andy-berke-names-first-members-of-administration). Berke is taking office April 15th and one of his top priorities is reducing crime in low-income areas. Mayor Berke and Ellis discussed how HUD can support those priorities and how HUD’s programs can offer solutions to improving the safety of neighborhoods, and improve lives of its residents. Mayor Berke was very interested in learning more about the Choice Neighborhood Program, and the opportunity to present a proposal for the City of Chattanooga.

As part of the visit, HUD staff also met with City and Housing Authority Officials. Beverly Johnson, Chattanooga Community Development (www.chattanooga.gov/neighborhood-services/community-development) Director, who was presented a HUD Certificate of Appreciation from the Knoxville HUD Office, to recognize her many years of successful contributions to the City of Chattanooga. Beverly is retiring after 26 years of service with the City.

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