Housing Highlights Volume 15, Issue 17
Newsletter
The Washington Housing Authority would like to share your achievements. Please submit them to your property managers, and we will share them in our next newsletter.
Inside This Issue
- Congratulations, Christian Price!
- A Message from the CEO
- TORCH Scholarship
- NRP
- Resident Council
- Community Garden
- Resident Council Meeting
- LIEAP
- Upcoming Events
- Youth Basketball Registration
- Meet The Staff
- All-Star Residents
- Housekeeping Tips
- FYI
Congratulations, Christian Price!
2024-2025 TORCH Scholarship Recipient.
Help Keep Our Kids Safe!
Please be mindful of posted speed limits while traveling in residential areas.
A Message From The CEO
Dear Residents and Community Members,
As we welcome the fall season, we are excited to share the latest updates and news from the Washington Housing Authority (WHA). Our commitment to providing safe, affordable housing and fostering a supportive community remains our top priority. We appreciate your continued support and engagement.
Program Highlights
Congratulations, we have another Torch Scholarship recipient on WHA programs. Mr. Christian Price is our 2024-2025 recipient of the TORCH Scholarship. WHA won the Certificate of Achievement Award from Carolinas Council of Housing Redevelopment & Codes Official for our newsletter and website, www.washingtonhousingauthority.org. Both were 1st place winners for 2024.NRP, our partnership with the City of Washington, is in the process of creating another opportunity for homeownership in the Heart of the City. This is a newly constructed home situated near all the local amenities.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Community. Your involvement and feedback are invaluable as we strive to make our community a better place for everyone. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to our office at www.washingtonhousingauthority.org and click on Forms on our webpage to submit your request.
We are excited about the coming months and the events occurring in the City of Washington! Please support our local community with your presence at these friendly family activities.
2024-2025 Torch Scholarship Recipient
We would like to congratulate Christian Price as our 2024-2025 recipient of the TORCH Scholarship. Mr. Price graduated from Washington High School with a GPA of 3.0. He will be attending Gardner Webb University and majoring in Criminal Justice in the hopes of becoming a police officer. While in high school, he was in the ROTC program and plans to continue that path in the Army Reserve.
Mr. Price stated his mother "raised him as a single parent to go after his dream and pursue a life worth having". He believes attending college will prepare him for his next journey in life.
Washington Housing Authority is proud to award this young man the scholarship because he has shown what hard work can do and will help him become a positive role model.
If you have a child graduating from high school for the 2025-2026 school year, please get in touch with Kimberly Grimes at 252-644-2396 or email kgrimes@wha-nc.org to learn more about the TORCH Scholarship.
Article by: Kimberly Grimes, FSS Coordinator
Build Your Dream House
In the Heart of Washington, On the Pamlico
Start Price: $190K
NRP - Neighborhood Revitalization Program
Making Home-Ownership You Reality!*Down payment assistance available for eligible applicants!
Your Journey to Homeownership Starts With Us!
Our award-winning real estate broker has been an active steward of historic Washington for 12 years. She's passionate about helping you navigate the home-buying process and find the site and home design that's right for you.
Alexis Davis, Realtor:
Phone: (252) 702-9697
Email: alexisdavis@seacoastrealty.com
With 34 years experience in Housing Management, I can walk you through the homeownership application and preliminary approval processes. I connect first-time buyers with resources to prepare you for homeownership and help you clear stumbling blocks and feel at ease with this big step.
Julie Finn, Housing Manager:
Phone: (252) 944 6382
Email: julie@wha-nc.org
With 40 years experience in affordable housing, including USDA, l assist you in finding affordable home loan packages. I'll guide first-time buyers through down payment assistance and clearly define your eligibility for various homeowner products. Let's turn your homeownership dreams into reality!
Beverly Casey, Financial Consultant:
Phone: (252) 402-0298
Email: bcasey@wha-nc.orgTo apply now, please click here.
Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) - Phase 1
Your dream home should be built by us...
Teacher's Row & Beyond
City of Washington in Partnership With Washington Housing NonProfit, Inc.What we do...
- Build New Affordable Homes
- Restore/Rebuild Existing properties
- Inspire Community Responsibility
- Provide Safe Neighborhoods for Families
- Help Families Remove Financial Eligibility Obstacles
- Restore Teacher's Row to a Vibrant Mixed-Income Community
- Help Existing Owners Secure Renovation Funding
Our homes are built by an award-winning local contractor with Washington's best interest at heart. Horton Contractors builds homes, not houses. He'll make yours feel just like it's meant for you. We pride ourselves in presenting a variety of options in homes, not cookie cutters.
Our support team of an experienced Realtor with historic interest in Washington's revitalization, a caring Housing Manager who walks you through the whole process, and a veteran Financial Consultant, work tirelessly to ensure your success.
Just take the first step and we'll be with you until the key to your dream home is turned over to your family.
Once you're happily settled in your residence, NRP provides at least one year of support in lawn care and home warranty. You'll love the way we show our love for renewing the neighborhood and making you a part of this beautiful project.
A Sense of Community
Restored for by and for you! "Phase I" is affordable homeownership within reach!Phase I Summary
"Restoring Teacher's Row"The heart of Washington is steeped with history. It's core was once a vibrant mixed-income community with a concentrated population of Black Professionals--lawyers, small business owners, the local dentist, first responders, and teachers. This blend with local factory, mill, domestic, and farm workers created a community blended for support vested in one another's success.
In the late 1940's through the late 60's Seventh Street, between Market and Pierce Streets, was known as "Teachers Row. Names like Beamon, Boyd, Cooper, Eason, Foxhall, Howard, Owens, Parham, and Teele were not only associated with residents on or around the corner from this street but tied to the classrooms of the Black public schools.
The home of the descendants of Louis Randolph, the first principal of public education for Blacks, was once a grand landmark on the corner of 7th and Respess Streets. Randolph also built and taught at an Enterprise Institute in the area where he trained teachers for his understaffed public school.
Narratives like this abound in the entire 18-block NRP area.
The heart of Washington is on the rise!
What's Your Home Design Preference?
Choose from professionally designed homes to fit your taste. Make it your own by customizing if you are financially eligible before construction is complete. Contact us soon to review all options!
Questions? Contact Us
- Alexis Davis, Realtor:
AlexisDavis@seacoastrealty.com
(252) 702-9697- Julie Finn, Housing Manager:
Julie@wha-nc.org
(252) 944-6382- Beverly Casey, Financial Consultant:
BCasey@wha-nc.org
(252) 402-0298
Resident Council
From the Desk of Lorraine Gordon
Hello, my name is Lorraine Gordon, and I am the 2022-2024 Resident Council Board President. I have been a resident of Oakcrest for over ten years and have served on the Oakcrest Board from 2010 to 2018. I currently volunteer with the Salvation Army and am an active member of Emmanuel Tabernacle here in Washington, NC.
My plan on the board is to bring communities together by speaking on the concerns of residents and how to provide solutions and open communication barriers, as well as bring activities that will benefit the children as well as the senior community.
I want to encourage you all to join the Resident Council Board. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 12:00 pm at WHA Main Office Community Conference Center. For your convenience, we have the meeting live on Zoom. The following information is for Meeting ID: 860 3385 5837 Passcode: RCAB. Conference
Call: 1-305-224-1968 US
Passcode: 056859.I look forward to working with you and collaborating with you. Most importantly, I am looking forward to the change I know can be made with the participation of all.
Thank you,
Lorraine Gordon,
President of Resident Council Board
Public Safety Officers & Barbers: Back to School Giveaway
Back to School Giveaway Sponsored by the Resident Council of WHA and Trey's Barbershop.
To view the Back to School Giveaway photo gallery, please click here.
Resident Council Application
Please contact our office for a copy of 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
- Paula Davis, Vice-President
- Ms. Ollie Faye Price, Parliamentarian
- Ms. Lillian Bailey, Treasurer
- Secretary, Vacant
- Asst. Secretary, Vacant
Advisory Board
- Ms. Joyce Eborn
- Ms. Velma Smith
- Ms. Sebrena Mallison
- Ms. Kimberly Grimes, Personnel Liaison for the Resident Council
- Franklin Scott, Personnel Liaison for the Advisory Board
Resident Council Members:
- Mr. Jimmy Boston
- Mr. John Hardy
The Resident Council is looking to recruit a secretary and an assistant secretary. If interested, contact Lorraine Gordon at lgordon@wha-nc.org or Kimberly Grimes at 252-644-2396.
Community Garden
The Resident Council would like to thank the First Methodist Church of Washington for donating a shed for the Josephine Royster Community Garden. If you would like to plant flowers and or vegetables or pick some, please contact the Housing Authority at 252-946-0061.
To view the Community Gardens photo gallery, please click here.
Resident Council Meeting
Every 3rd Wednesday Of the Month @ 12:00 PM
Zoom Meeting Info.
Virtual Meeting ID: 860 3385 5837
Code: RCAB
Phone Call: +1-305-224-1968 US
Passcode: 056859
In Person: 809 Pennsylvania Ave. in the Main Conference RoomJoin Resident Council Now! You Are Needed!
For more information contact:
- Lorraine Gordon @ gordon@wha-nc.org or
- Kimberly Grimes @ kgrimes@wha-nc.org and/or 252-644-2396.
Starting January 2025, the Resident Council will be drawing "DOOR PRIZES!" You MUST be present at the meeting in order to WIN!
LIEAP - The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program may be able to help you!
What is LIEAP?
LIEAP is a federally funded program that provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. Applications for LIEAP are accepted from December 1st through March 31st or until funds are exhausted.Who is Eligible?
- December 1, 2024 Households with a person age 60 or older or a disabled person receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) who currently receives Food and Nutrition Services and received LI EAP during the 2023-2024 LIEAP season may qualify to receive an Automatic Payment this LIEAP season. These households will be notified of eligibility in November and do not need to apply for this benefit.
- January 1, 2025 all other households may submit applications beginning January 1, 2025. The application period continues through March 31, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. Households do not have to go into the agency to apply.
How can you apply:
- In person at Beaufort County Department of Social Services:
632 W 5th St, Washington, NC 27889.- Submitting a Paper Application to Beaufort County Department of Social Services.
- By Phone @ 252-975-5500.
- Online @ https://epass.nc.gov/.
Reminders:
- December 1st - Households with a member age 60 or older or disabled and receiving services from Division of Adult and Aging Services can apply.
- January 1st - All other households can apply until funds are exhausted.
Applications will also be taken at the following locations:
- St. James Episcopal Church, Belhaven: December 10, 2024
9 am - 4 pm- Aurora Community Building: December 17, 2024, 9 am - 4 pm
Upcoming Events
Pest Control Schedule
January, March, May, July, September. Cleggs will come every Thursday.
- 1st Thursday = 155 Units
- Oak Crest: 115 Units
- East Haven: 40 Units
- 2nd Thursday = 142 Units
- Old Fort: 82 Units
- Clifton Meadows: 60 Units
- 3rd Thursday = 146 Units
- Westbrooke: 50 Units
- Eastern Village/Annex: 96 Units
Air Filters
Air filters will be changed every other month. 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 & Eastern Village - 3rd week, every other month
- Westbrooke - 4th week, every other month
A Message from Housing Managers
INTERIM
If you have a change in your household, you must call your Housing Manager to report that change. You must complete an Interim Form and provide written proof of the change. Examples of changes: Increase or decrease in income, Remove or add household members, Pet, Vehicle, School enrollment, school graduation, etc.. See housing manager for details.COMMUNITY SERVICE
If you are 18 or older and have no income, you must complete 8 hours per month of Community Service. It must be documented in writing and/or on letterhead from the organization for which you provided Community Service. You must provide SNAP letter to be exempt, etc. See housing manager for details.Please remember that our properties are smoke-free. Thank you.
Meet The Staff
Phillip Felton, MaintenanceHello! My name is Phillip Felton, and I have been working in maintenance for a little over ten years. I started in New York and made my way down to North Carolina. I'm here to make a difference to help and serve the people. I enjoy what I do and I am always wearing a smile. If I can be of assistance to you, just let me know. I love working for the Washington Housing Authority.
Alecia Rhoe, Housing ManagerGreetings, WHA residents!
My name is Alecia Rhoe, Public Housing Manager for Eastern Village, Eastern Village Annex, and East Haven. If you have seen my name and face before, you're aware that I was the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Coordinator for Washington Housing Authority. I started with the team in October 2021 as the ROSS Coordinator and accepted my new role in October 2024.
I have worked in public services for 6 years and have a passion for the communities that we serve. I know that there is greatness within these communities, from our youth up to those in their later years. I hope to see you all grow and be the best you can be. Even though I am no longer the ROSS Coordinator, what I desire for our residents will never change.
I am excited about this new role and look forward to what's to come!
Erica Spruill, Executive AssistantHi! My name is Erica Spruill, and I am the Executive Assistant at the Washington Housing Authority. I came aboard in August 2021 and have enjoyed every moment. My role at WHA is important to me because I love to learn new things. Every day is a learning experience, and I try to implement those lessons into all of my daily activities to ensure things run smoothly behind the scenes so our team can better serve you.
Washington Youth Basketball League Registration
- November 6th - November 22nd
- Wednesday - Friday 5pm-8pm
- Saturday, November 16th, 5pm-7pm
Location: Bobby Andrews Rec Center
Fee: $80
Please bring a copy of your child's birth certificate.
Housing Authority residents must register through the Housing Authority.
For more information, please contact:
- John Lampkins by phone at 252-940-3576 or
- Pam Lampkins by phone at 252-940-9401.
All-Star Residents
The Washington Housing Authority would like to recognize the following individuals for their excellent housekeeping skills and the eldest person in each AMP.
Very Clean List
- Oak Crest
- Janice Windley
- Martha Gorham
- Jimmy Boston
- Shardae Boyd
- Gregory Gibbs
- Sebrena Mallison
- Maude Keyes
- James Flynn
- Lillian Bailey
- Patricia Little
- Mattie Gibbs
- Mable Ebron
- Willie Porter
- Ondra Spell
- Sarah Godley
- Crystal Satterthwaite
- Mary Williams
- William Godley
- Elizabeth Jarrett
- Latoya Edwards
- Lena Davis
- Kenneth Waters
- Shanice McCabe
- Stephanie Mallison
- Danielle Glass
- Evelyn Moore
- Kerri Williams
- Beverly Riddick
- East Haven, Eastern Village, & EV Annex
- Janice Alligood
- Tracy Moore
- Emma Lewis
- Betty Gatlin
- Charlene Daugherty
- Brittany Blackledge
- Bryan Hopkins
- Airion Carter
- Julian Reddick
- Fenner Chapman
- Joyce Eborn
- Sharion Winfield
- Lynne Hulle
- John Hardy, Sr.
- Westbrooke & Old Fort
- Victoria Greenway
- Delores M. Johnson
- Betty Moore
- Clifton Meadows
- Rosalin Cobb
- John Rehm
- Linda Woods
Yard of the Month
Congratulations, Patricia Little, Sebrena Mallison, and William Jenkins, for winning Yard of the Month!
Housekeeping Tips
General Cleaning
As a tenant, you are responsible for keeping your house clean. Cleaning your house regularly is very important as it keeps your family healthy.
Some areas of your home, such as the kitchen countertops and sink, should be cleaned every day. Other areas can be cleaned weekly (such as floors and bathrooms) or monthly (such as fan blades and wiping cabinets).
Your Housing Manager and Inspector will check how clean your house is during regular inspections.
Bugs and Pests
There are several things you can do to keep pests, such as cockroaches, ants, insects, ticks, and fleas, under control. These include:
- keep your apartment clean
- put rubbish in the trash bin and make sure the bin is emptied and cleaned regularly
- make sure food that is in the cabinets is in sealed containers or bags
- don't store, eat, or cook food in bedrooms
- keep doors closed and make sure window screens do not have holes
- If you have problems with bugs and pests, contact your housing manager.
Trash
- You must keep your apartment and yard free of trash.
- Each apartment is furnished with a trash bin that should be kept outside of the house.
- Keep smaller trash bins inside; make sure you empty them on a regular basis into the outside trash bin. All trash should be in trash bags.
- Remember to pull the trash bin to the street on your trash pick-up day. After pick-up, return the bin back to your apartment.
- To keep flies and maggots out of your trash bin, keep the lid closed all the time and wash the bin each time it is emptied.
Housekeeping Inspections
- Residents who "fail" an inspection due to housekeeping will be issued a copy of the inspection report with items that need to be corrected. A re-inspection will be conducted within 10 calendar days by housing management staff.
- Failed inspections could result in lease termination.
FYI!
Upcoming Board Meetings
- February 22nd - Westbrooke
- April 25th - Central Office
- June 27th - East Haven
- August 22nd - Central Office
- October 24th - Old Fort
- December 19th - Westbrooke
The Board Meetings will be held every other month. Dates are subject to change due to weather or holidays.
2024 Holiday Closings
- January 15, 2024 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- February 19, 2024 - President's Day
- March 29, 2024 - Good Friday
- May 27, 2024 - Memorial Day
- June 19. 2024 - Juneteenth Day
- July 4, 2024 - Independence Day
- September 2, 2024 - Labor Day
- October 14, 2024 - Columbus Day
- November 11, 2024 - Veteran's Day
- November 28-November 29, 2024 - Thanksgiving Day & Day After
- December 24-December 26, 2024 - Christmas Break
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.
Employment Opportunities
- Maintenance Tech I
- ROSS Coordinator
- Accounting Specialist
If interested, please email: sandra@wha-nc.org.
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 8:30-5:00 pmAmie Bryant
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday (Westbrooke)
Tuesday & Thursday (Old Fort)Alecia Rhoe
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday (East Haven)
Tuesday & Thursday (Eastern Village & Easter Village Annex)
WHA Phone Number
252.946.0061
Website
www.washingtonhousingauthority.orgCity of Washington Non-Emergency Number
252.946.1444
WHA Maintenance Line
252.946.9977
WHA Maintenance AFTER HOURS Line
252.944.5283