Tennessee Public Housing Conference Addresses Affordable Housing Best Practices

L to R: Fourth District State Representative John Holsclaw, Jr, First Congressional District Congressman Dr. Phil Roe, Tosha LeSure, TN PIH Director, Jim Payne, TAHRA President and Sparta HA Executive Director, Steve Scyphers Bristol HA Executive Director.

In an ongoing effort to address best business practices, strengthen understanding across federal and local affordable housing efforts and to ultimately improve the effectiveness of public housing operations the Tennessee HUD field office participated late last month with Public Housing Authorities (PIH), across the state, in the Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities Annual 2016 Conference in Kingsport, Tennessee.

HUD staff members from Public and Indian Housing as well as Field Policy Management participated in the conference obtaining a clearer understanding of the achievements and impediments PIHs face across Tennessee in regards to Affordable Housing. Tosha LeSure, PIH Director, presented a "HUD Update" during the opening session and covered a variety of topics ranging from occupancy and utilization, to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/affh/) requirements.

The opening session included remarks from Fourth District State Representative John Holsclaw, Jr, First Congressional District Congressman Dr. Phil Roe, and the Mayor John Clark of Kingsport, TN. The training and exhibitions provided concrete real world opportunities for Public Housing Authorities to learn of best practices, new information, and share concerns and successes.

The Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (TAHRA) (www.tahranet.org/) is a non-profit membership association whose mission is to be the premier organization providing assistance and support to Tennessee public and affordable housing agencies. TAHRA advocates for additional housing resources, public support for affordable housing, and maintaining the highest ethical standards by our members.
The HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) ensures safe, decent, and affordable housing, creates opportunities for residents' self-sufficiency and economic independence, and assures the fiscal integrity of all program participants.

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