Housing Highlights Volume 11, Issue 13

Newsletter

Inside This Issue

2023 Scholarship Recipients

A Message from the ED

FSS Graduates

Home Sweet Home!

Public Safety Officers and Barbers

3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Resident Council

Upcoming Events

FSS & ROSS Surveys

Knowledge is Power!

On-Call Procedures/Parking Changes

FYI

Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Rod'Dedria Paige - TORCH

Qualiyan Columbus - TORCH and ECAHRO

Adrikiyanna Floyd - ECAHRO

Help Keep Our Kids Safe!

Please be mindful of this while traveling in residential areas.

A Message from the ED

A Warm Welcome from Your New Interim Executive Director!

Dear Valued Residents,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. As the newly appointed Interim Executive Director of our esteemed Public Housing Community, I am honored and excited to reach out to you today. It is with great enthusiasm that I embark on this journey to serve you and work towards enhancing the quality of life within our community.

First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the residents who have placed their trust in me and the dedicated team that supports our community. I understand the importance of public housing in providing safe and affordable homes, and I am committed to ensuring that our community thrives.

My primary goal is to foster a harmonious and inclusive environment where every resident feels valued, respected, and heard. I firmly believe that open communication is the key to building a strong community, and I encourage you to share your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions with me and my team. Together, we can create positive changes and work towards a brighter future.

I would like to emphasize the significance of community involvement. Your active participation in community activities, meetings, and committees can make a significant impact on the decisions we make and the direction we take. I encourage you to join hands with us and contribute your ideas and talents to make our community an even better place to live.

To facilitate better communication, we will be introducing regular newsletters, community forums, and online platforms where you can stay updated on important announcements, events, and initiatives. We are committed to transparency and ensuring that you have easy access to information that affects you directly.

I believe that it is our collective responsibility to nurture a sense of unity and support among residents. Let us work together to create an environment where everyone feels proud to call this community their home. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, and I am confident that with your involvement, our community will flourish.

Once again, I extend my warmest welcome to all residents, both longstanding and new. My door is always open, and I look forward to meeting each one of you personally in the near future. Please feel free to reach out to me or our dedicated team with any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for being an integral part of our community. Together, let us build a brighter future.

Warm regards,
Larry Russell
Interim Executive Director

FSS Graduates

Kimberly Grimes presented Jamaal Godley with a plaque for completing the FSS program.

Shonte' Collins and Rochelle Hobbs presented Naquana Distance with a plaque for completing the FSS program.

2023 American Association of Service Coordinators Conference

ROSS Coordinator, Alecia Rhoe attends the 2023 American Association of Service Coordinators conference held in Washington, D.C. The national conference brings expert panelists to discuss service coordination and how to be more effective in our respective communities. Click here for more information.

Pictured with her are LaTonya Watson and Eloria James of Laurel Housing Authority in Laurel, MS. Watson and James are a part of the national ROSS Coordinator peer networking group founded and moderated by Rhoe.

Home Sweet Home

We would like to say Congratulations to Naquanna Distance for purchasing the first home built as part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). Your hard work and perseverance have paid off! We hope you make wonderful memories in your new home!

WHA administers NRP through a partnership with the City of Washington. At the core of this partnership is the desire to provide families with the opportunity to begin to build generational wealth by revitalizing the historical sections of the city.

Applicants to NRP must be residents in the City of Washington, residents of Beaufort County, or residents of Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH) properties owned and managed by the Washington Housing Authority (WHA), participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program through WHA, or residing in Clifton Meadows, a USDA property owned and managed by the Washington Housing Nonprofit Inc. (WHNI)

General Eligibility Requirements are featured on the WHA website.

If you would like to apply for the NRP, please stop by the Central Office to pick up Homeownership Application or click here to apply online.

Public Safety Officers and Barbers Sponsored by the Resident Council

Special thank you to Washington's Public Safety Officers and Barbers (Trey Mason from Trey's Barber Shop and Jeron Randall from Platinum Stylez). Agape Mobile Unit, Access East Healthy Opportunity Pilot Program, and BCCC Cosmetology School.

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Washington Housing Authority held its 3rd Annual Basketball Tournament on Sunday, September 24th, at the Bobby Andrews Recreation Center. Here are just a few photos from the event. Check out our Facebook page for more photos and videos.

National Night Out

2023 National Night Out! WHA employees and Resident Council members were hard at work! What a time we had!!!

Resident Council

Please reach out to our office for the Resident Council Application.

The following are members of the Washington Resident Council Board and Advisory Board:

Executive Staff/Advisory Board

Ms. Lorriane Gordon... President

Ms. Ollie Faye Price... Vice-President

Ms. Lillian Bailey... Treasurer

Ms. Felecia Ward... Secretary

Asst. Secretary... Vacant

Parliamentary... Vacant

Advisory Board

Ms. Joyce Eborn

Ms. Velma Smith

Ms. Sebrena Mallison

Ms. Kimberly Grimes... Personnel Liaison for the Resident Council

Executive Director... Personnel Liaison for the Advisory Board

Resident Council Members:

Mr. Jimmy Boston

Mr. John Hardy

Upcoming Events

November 2, 2023: Pest control for Eastern Village, Eastern Village Annex, and Westbrooke
December 7, 2023: Pest control for East Haven and Oak Crest

Air filters will be changed every other month (May, July, September, and November). Please arrange to have an adult present with any minor child(ren). Below is the schedule:

Clifton Meadows - 1st week, every other month

Oakcrest - 1st week, every other month

Old Fort - 2nd week, every other month

East Haven and Eastern Village - 3rd week, every other month

Westbrooke - 4th week, every other month

Washington Youth Basketball League Registration!

November 1st - 11th, 14th - 22nd
Monday - Saturday
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
231 East 7th Street
Cost - $70.00
John Lampkins - 252.940.3576
Pam Lampkins - 252.940.9401
Housing Authority Residents Must Register Through the Housing Authority
Please Bring a Copy of Your Birth Certificate

Resident Council Meeting

From the Comfort of Your Home
Meetings Held Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 12:00 PM
Virtually and In-Person
Zoom Info
Virtual Meeting ID: 2365823004
Passcode RCAB
Conference Number +1.301.715.8592
Passcode: 424853
In Person at Old Fort Community Center, 204 West 9th Street or
Main Office Conference Room: 809 Pennsylvania Avenue, Every Other Month.
***You Must Download the Zoom App to Join Virtually***

Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS)

Accepting Applications

What Can This Program Offer You:

Financial Independence

Educational Programs

Possibility of Home Ownership

Escrow Account: Saving Money

Accountability

Financial Management Counseling

(Ex. Credit Improvement, Budgeting, Saving)

And so Much More!

Contact me today, and change your life for tomorrow!
Kimberly Grimes, FSS Coordinator
Phone: 252.644.2396
Email Kimberly

Enroll in ROSS Today!

G.E.D., Vocational Training, or Degree

Employment

Home Health

Transportation

Mental Health

Healthy Eating

No Issue is Too Small!
No Question in Not Important!

Contact Me! Let's Chat!
Alecia Rhoe, ROSS Coordinator
252.644.6055
Email Alecia

Who's Eligible?
Public housing residents who are at least 18

Are Elderly and Disabled Tenants Eligible?
Yes

Toys for Tots!

Registration Process for 2023
Two Ways for parents/guardians of Beaufort County children to register for a toy:

Complete an online application at bhckids.org by October 31st, 2023

Attend the in-person registration from

9 AM - 7 PM November 8th, 2023

9 AM - 4 PM November 9th, 2023

Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children
979 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
252.975.4647 Ext. 101

Toys for Tots provides for children 12 and under who are not receiving Christmas toys from any other agency or organization.
Children on other lists will not be served.

Made in Beaufort County, NC
Job and Resource Fair

November 15 - 9 AM-12 PM *High School Students Only;
Open to the public- 1 PM-3 PM
Washington Civic Center

Your one stop shop to connect with area employers and gather information regarding community and educational resources!
Organized by the Beaufort County Workforce Development Team

For more Information click here to Contact Beaufort County Economic Development or 252.946.3970

Begin this new chapter with a new home.
NRP can help.

A partnership between WHN, Inc., City of Washington, and the Neighborhood Revitalization Project (NRP), can assist with obtaining two types of assistance to help you purchase a home:

Fixed Rate Loans with Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

Several Rates, loan and DPA options available

DPA can be up to $50,000.00 or 25% of the total loan amount

NC Home Advantage Mortgage Credit Certificates

A special tax credit that reduces your federal income taxes every year

For first-time buyers (those who have not owned a home in the last three (3) years)

Can be used with TSAHC's DPA

Contact us at 252.946.0061 to see what your next step is!

FSS Program

Family-Sufficiency Program (FSS)

Is the Family Self-Sufficiency Program a good fit for your household?

Are you currently in Public Housing?

Are you interested in participating in the FSS Program?

What is It?

FSS is a voluntary program for families; a family can choose whether or not to participate in it. Some PHAs are required to offer an FSS program to satisfy a mandate tied to their receipt of housing assistance in earlier decades, while others run the program voluntarily. Owners of HUD-assisted multifamily developments can choose or not to participate.

FSS achieves this goal by helping families to increase their earnings and to build assets and financial capability. This training is designed to assist FSS programs in achieving these outcomes.

In the FSS program, in achieving your goals, you can accrue a financial incentive for participants to increase their earnings in the form of an escrow savings account that increases as residents' earnings increase.

The escrow account helps participants build savings that they can use to improve their quality of life and advance their personal goals. Escrow funds can also help participants pay for key services - such as car repairs or employment training - that they may need to make progress toward their goals

and

Case Management or Coaching to help families access services they may need to overcome barriers to employment, strengthen their financial capability, and address other challenges holding them back from achieving their goals.

Services that are covered in this program:

Education (G.E.D. or Higher Education)

Employment

Child Care Services

Transportation

Counseling (Mental, Family, Marriage, and Individual)

Money Management

Home Ownership Awareness

Credit Repair

Drug/Alcohol Counseling

Medical Care

Literary Services

And Others

For More Information Contact Kimberly Grimes, FSS Coordinator
Email Kimberly
Phone:252.644.2396

ROSS Survey

Are you currently a Public Housing resident?

Are you elderly and/or disabled??

Are you interested in participating in the ROSS program?

What kind of programs are you interested in?

Education

Employment

Health and Wellness

Employment:

The Resident Services Coordinators will work with residents to help them gain employment with adequate pay and benefits; and provide coaching to help residents maintain employment for more than 12 months.

Education:

The Resident Services Coordinator will work with residents to achieve educations attainment and/or training levels to prepare you for a career that pays enough to support housing, healthcare, and food expenses.

Health & Wellness:

The Resident Services Coordinator will work with residents to facilitate an environment and/or resources that empower residents to pursue and achieve personal goals towards self-sufficiency and ensure that the individual resident's and/or family's physical and mental health does not prevent him/her from pursuing education and/or employment.

Examples of Services to be Coordinated:

Childcare Services - Adult Basic

Education/Literacy Classes

High School Diploma/GED Programs - Digital Literacy Classes

Job Training Skills - Health Care Coordination

Nutritional Courses - Employer Linkages and Job Placement

Transportation - Substance Abuse Treatment

Civil Legal Assistance - Expunging, sealing, and correcting criminal records

Do you want us to give you more information?

Contact Alecia Rhoe

252.644.6055

Email Alecia

Knowledge is Power!

A "Knowledge is Power" Workshop was held on September 14, 2023. Guest speakers were Rochelle Hobbs ( Realtor), Larry Lang (First Bank of Washington), Martin White (Credit Repair Specialist), Naquanna Distance (New Homeowner), Michael Best (Home Inspection), Monica Moses (Community Outreach for First Bank of Washington), and Kahlia Young (First Bank of Washington).

Our next "Knowledge is Power" Workshop will be in January 2024. Keep a look out for the flyer!

Neighborhood Revitalization

Larry Russell (Interim Executive Director), Kimberly Grimes (FSS Coordinator), and Rochelle Hobbs (Realtor) visited St. John Missionary Baptist Church to speak with the members about the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.

Contact us at 252.946.0061 or visit washingtonhousingauthority.org for more information.

Washington Housing Authority On-Call Procedure

The Maintenance Technician has 30 minutes to respond by phone or arrive on-site to address emergency maintenance issues.
Emergency repairs are completed within 24 hours under these circumstances:

Immediate threat to life, health, and safety

Severe property damage

Main sewer lines backing up

Busted water heaters

Water line breaks inside the unit

Toilets stopped up or not flushing (Maintenance does not come out after 10:00 PM)

Light switches or receptacles sparking fire or smoking (Electrical panels, etc...)

Smoke detector beeping

No heat October 15th - April 15th

Windows or doors that cannot be secured

Gas smells inside or outside the units

Anything not listed above is considered Non-Emergency (routine) and will be repaired within 30 days or less.

Wayne Hill
Director of Maintenance

Upcoming Parking Changes

WHA has been working with the Resident Council to integrate a new parking procedure for all of WHA's neighborhoods. This new plan does include parking stickers for all public housing residents who have vehicles and renumbering of parking spaces. We are working out details but wanted to make sure the word got out to all residents to keep them informed of upcoming changes. When official determinations have been decided, notices will be sent out. To alleviate any concerns, WHA feels that it is important to have parking stickers that may be coming down the line to be very nondescript with no mention of WHA on them.

Jessica Jenkins
Director of Housing Services

FYI!

Upcoming Board Meetings

April 27 - Westbrooke

June 22 - Central Office

August 24 - East Haven

October 26 - Central Office

December 28 - Old Fort

The Board Meetings will be held every other month.
Dates are subject to change due to weather or holidays.

WHA Online Payments

Step 1: Visit www.washingtonhousingauthority.org

Step 2: Click Pay Online

Step 3: Sign up for your account

Step 4: Log into your account, Tenant "Make Payment"

All online payments will charge a $2.00 convenience fee.
Email Confirmation will serve as your receipt of payment.

2023 Holiday Closings

January 16, 2023 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 20, 2023 - President's Day

April 7, 2023 - Good Friday

May 29, 2023 - Memorial Day

June 19, 2023 - Juneteenth Day

July 4, 2023 - Independence Day

September 4, 2023 - Labor Day

October 9, 2023 - Columbus Day

November 10, 2023 - Veteran's Day

November 23 - November 24, 2023 - Thanksgiving Day and the Day After

December 25 - December 26, 2023 - Christmas Break

Employment Opportunities

Full-Time Maintenance Mechanic 1

Part-Time Maintenance Mechanic 1

Apply on NCWorks.gov

If your vehicle is towed from "No Parking" zones, you may contact George Stokes of Stokes Towing and Recovery, to make arrangements to pick it up. He can be reached at 910.770.2194.

Deborah Rodgers:
Monday-Friday (Oak Crest)

Julie Finn:
Clifton Meadows 8:30-12:00pm
Public Housing (Main Office) 1:00pm-5:00pm

Amie Bryant:
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday (Westbrooke)
Tuesday & Thursday (Old Fort)

Towanna Williams:
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday (East Haven)
Tuesday & Thursday (Eastern Village & Eastern Village Annex)

WHA Phone Number
252.946.0061

Website
www.washingtonhousingauthority.org

City of Washington
Non-Emergency Number
252.946.1444

WHA Maintenance Line
252.946.9977

WHA Maintenance After Hours Line
252.944.5283