Interim Executive Director Mirian Saez to Depart September 30

Interim Executive Director Mirian Saez to Depart September 30

Having completed her term of service, Interim Executive Director Mirian Saez will be leaving the authority on September 30, 2004. Ms. Saez has served in this position since April 2003. During this time, the authority had numerous achievements, including the recent awarding of a $20 million HOPE VI grant for revitalization of the Towers area (see related stories). This past summer, she received a Fannie Mae Foundation Fellowship award to attend a session of the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University.

“The Court and I are grateful for her dedicated service,” said Receiver Robert Rosenberg, “and we wish her the best in her career.”

In the meantime, the search for a new executive director continues. Judge Shapiro is asking that this new director live in or near Chester, to be better aware of resident concerns.

A message from Mirian Saez (photo)

CHA Awarded $20 million HOPE VI Grant

The hard work of Receiver Robert Rosenberg, Authority staff, residents and others in Chester has paid off. On June 14, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it has awarded a $20 million HOPE VI grant to the authority. This money will be used to rebuild and revitalize the area of the Towers. This grant is the third one that the authority has received from HUD.

As part of the revitalization plan, the Towers site will be demolished and 257 high-quality replacement rental housing units will be constructed at Matopos Hills, Chatham Estates and the Chester Towers . The authority will also use grant money to build 24 affordable homeownership units, a regional arts and culture center and retail and office space.

This HOPE VI grant was announced at a press conference at the Towers. Among the dignitaries attending this conference were U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, U.S. District Judge Norma Shapiro, Receiver Robert Rosenberg, State Senator Dominic Pileggi and Chester Mayor Wendell N. Butler Jr. Thanks to Norman Wise of the authority, and his maintenance staff, for all their hard work in arranging for the conference. Thanks also to the authority staff, especially Director of Planning Steve Lalli, for their work in obtaining the grant.

To Residents of the Towers Regarding HOPE VI Construction Work

Some of you in the Towers may be wondering how you will be affected by the demolition of the Towers and the new construction that follows.

The Development Partnership of CHA and Roizman and Companies will pay for your move to new housing. If you meet program requirements, you will be given the chance to move back to the newly constructed units at the Towers location. If you prefer not to return to public housing, you will receive a Section 8 voucher, which will help pay your rent in a privately owned house or apartment. Whether you move back to the revitalized development, or take a Section 8 voucher, you will receive the same level of job training and services.

Beginning in October 2004, the Development Partnership will begin to counsel residents about relocation activities.

CHA recognized for Homeownership program

The awards keep coming in for Chester Housing Authority.

On June 22, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) presented the authority with a certificate of appreciation for its work in creating 26 homeowner units at Wellington Ridge. These units represent the authority’s commitment to and recognition of homeownership as a means of stabilizing and improving a neighborhood.

Receiving the award on behalf of the authority was Deputy Director Joseph Keller.

Police Report: One Strike Statistics

CHA is fully committed to the “One Strike” program, under which tenants who are involved in criminal or drug activity are subject to eviction. In 2004 to date, the CHA Police Department has recorded 56 “One Strike” incidents in the Section 8 program, compared to 21 in 2003. In public housing, they have recorded 19 incidents, compared to 18 incidents in 2003. Of they 19 incidents, five of them (or 22%) resulted in an eviction.

Thank you, Chief Rodney O’Neill and officers, for your outstanding work.

RASS Survey Results

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently conducted a survey of residents to determine their attitudes towards safety and security. HUD sent out 352 surveys to CHA residents, and 127 of you responded (for which we thank you). The percentage of CHA residents who responded (38%) is well above the national average rate of 24%.

A summary of survey responses is as follows:

Safety

·  How safe do you feel in your home/unit? (50.4% responded “safe”)

·  If residents in your property break the rules in the lease, does management take action? (47.2% responded “yes”)

·  If management takes action, how would you rate its action? (43.3% responded “effective”)

Communication

·  Do you think management provides you information about the rules of your lease? (56.0% responded “agree”)

·  Do you think management is courteous and professional with you? (50.0% responded “agree”)

Neighborhood Appearance

·  How often is the following (graffiti) a problem in your property? (80.4% responded “never”)

·  How often is the following (trash) a problem in your property? (51.8% responded “never”)

Overall Satisfaction

·  How satisfied are you with your property/building? (52.5% responded “satisfied”)

·  Would you recommend your housing property to a friend or family member seeking public housing? (78.4% responded “yes”)

Fire Prevention Week Observance, Kickoff Rally and Poster Contest

October 3 through 9 is Fire Prevention Week. During this time, banners and information about fire safety will be available at Matopos Hills and William Penn. You are invited to a kickoff rally, to be held at William Penn, on October 3 at 10:00 a.m. Stay tuned for further details.

Resident children are invited to participate in a Fire Prevention Week poster contest. The theme this year is “For Safety’s Sake, Test Your Smoke Alarms.”

All posters must be original artwork. Participants can use the following materials: markers, paints, crayons and colored pencils. No stenciling or tracing is permitted. Please use standard poster board (22” x 28”). The back of the poster should have the artist’s name, age, address and telephone number

All entries are due by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, and should be submitted to the property management office of your respective community (William Penn at 514 Union St., Matopos Hills at 1350 W 9th St and Chatham Family at1701 Patrick St.)

Judging will occur in three age categories: 6-9, 10-14 and 15-18. In each category at each community, prizes will be awarded as follows:

·  1st prize: $50

·  2nd prize: $30

·  3rd prize: $20

Winners will be recognized at a future awards ceremony, and will be photographed with their posters.

Staff Corner

New employees

The authority welcomes Officers Jose Gonzales and Andrew Tuohey as part time members of the Police Department. Gentlemen, thank you for your services in protecting the residents.

CHA Sunshine Committee sponsors appreciation day trip to Dorney Park (waiting for pictures?)

On August 27, 138 CHA staff, family members and guests spent the day at Dorney Park, in Allentown. The CHA Sunshine Committee planned and hosted this event, and we thank them for their efforts. This committee plans different events throughout the year, observing occasions such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. They also plan and coordinate the annual holiday celebration and the July 4th barbeque.

Committee members are president Shawn Woody, vice president Marcia Wilkes, treasurer Renee Bradley, secretary Patricia Breakley, plylacter Betty Raison and Ernestine Tighlman.

Promotion of Steve Lalli

Congratulations to Steve Lalli on his June 18 promotion to Deputy Executive Director for Planning and Development. Steve was formerly Director of Planning and Development, and his efforts in that role were vital to the awarding of the $20 million HOPE VI grant.

New uniforms for CHA asset management staff (see pictures)

Have you noticed the new uniforms among the property managers, mechanics and custodians? According to CHA Director of Asset Management Norman Wise, this new look only makes sense. “It’s a matter of professionalism,” he said. “If we ask residents to keep the properties looking good, then we should have our staff looking good as well. It’s a matter of keeping a corporate image in a noncorporate environment.” See pictures of the staff as they model this new look.

Success Story: Matopos Hills Story Hour and Summer Reading Programs (Roe is sending pictures)

“When life gives you lemons,” the old saying goes, “make lemonade.” Last April, Matopos Hills manager Roe Waller did just that, after she learned of a planned disaster drill to be held at the Head Start school there. During the drill, students would be sitting at the community center with nothing to do. In response, Ms. Waller arranged chairs and even comforters (which she had brought from home) in the center. When the students arrived, she read a book to them. The students loved the idea so much that they returned in May and June, at which time senior citizen residents did the reading. Delaware County Head Start now wants to make this reading activity a regular part of their program.

Ms. Waller also has been encouraging Matopos children to do summer reading. In June, she learned of a girl that had to attend summer school because of a failure in a reading course. Ms. Waller told her that next year should would not be in summer school, gave her a book to read, and asked her to report on the book when she finished. Two other children heard about the arrangement, and Ms. Waller assigned them reading as well. Ms. Waller currently is working with the Resident Council to present these children with an award for their work.

Nice job, Ms. Waller.