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| Inside news from the Housing Authority of Portland | Nov. - Dec. 2008 |
2009 Brings Challenges and Promise of Opportunity
Sometimes, the best part of celebrating the New Year is
the chance to put the old year behind us. The nation’s
economic crisis has taken a toll on all of us and presents continuing
challenges for 2009. But, as I look ahead to January, I’m
optimistic about the new opportunities the year will bring.
HAP and housing authorities across the country have been in a constrained funding environment for the past several years. As a result, we’ve already done the hard work of learning how to do more with less and thinking creatively about how connections and partnerships in the community can help us meet our mission. We’re well-positioned to strive to meet our ambitious agenda for next year. I’m encouraged by the notion of using federal funds to put people to work to improve infrastructure needs. How we as a nation invest in our infrastructure to help people get employment and succeed is important. I’m confident that Congress will act quickly to get this program going.
I’m buoyed by the national expression of hope and
opportunity, and believe that it will go a long way toward helping
households in need help themselves to become full partners in the
American economy.
Steve Rudman
Executive Director
Task
Force Formed to Improve Rental Success for Section 8 Voucher
Holders
Former HAP Commissioner and current Portland City
Commissioner Nick Fish is well-acquainted with the challenges faced by
Section 8 voucher holders seeking an affordable home. Currently,
only 74 percent of voucher holders are successful in finding a place
to rent with their voucher, and not all private landlords are willing
to accept applications from voucher holders. The result is that
many who need housing assistance cannot find a place where they can
afford to live.
Fish is tackling this problem head-on by forming a task force of local leaders to see if they can find ways to increase the success rate to 85 percent. Task force members will include representatives from the landlord community, tenant advocates, the Housing Authority of Portland, Multnomah County, and Tina Kotek, a state legislator representing North Portland who is very interested in this issue. The group meets in December with plans to meet quarterly over the next year. According to Fish, “I believe this goal is worthy of our attention, as Section 8 is our community’s largest housing assistance program, and an essential component of the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens."
Comprehensive Renovation Upgrades Slavin Court for Residents, Community
A $2.4 million comprehensive upgrade of HAP’s
Slavin Court, a small family community in Southwest Portland, is
nearing completion. This upgrade has improved both the physical
plant and enhanced livability for its residents. A valuable
piece of HAP’s public housing portfolio, the 24-unit complex is
one of a few able to accommodate larger families.
“Slavin Court had a number of maintenance
issues due its age and condition,” said Dianne Quast,
HAP’s director of Real Estate Operations. “Rather
than fix the problems piecemeal, we took a holistic view of how best
to preserve this housing for the long-term.” Among the
improvements are new roofs, new siding, kitchen remodeling with
energy-efficient appliances, new floors, a new playground, and
resolution of chronic water drainage and retention problems. HAP
knows that capital projects also make a positive impact on the local
economy by generating construction activity. “Some experts
predict that a new economic stimulus package in 2009 could include
federal money to tackle the capital needs of public housing
properties,” continued Quast. “If these funds do
become available, it acknowledges that affordable housing is a
critical piece of our nation’s infrastructure.”
Youth Basketball Camp Earns Honors for HAP and Camp Sponsors
Hoopin’ It Up, a youth basketball camp for
low-income children and youth ages 8 to 15 who live in Southwest
Portland’s Hillsdale Terrace and Slavin Court public housing
apartment communities, is being honored by City of Portland’s
annual Spirit of Portland Awards in the Outstanding Partnership
category. Co-sponsored by the City of Portland Office of
Neighborhood Involvement, Housing Authority of Portland, Portland
Police Bureau and SW Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI), the camp was one of
30 award winners recognized in a December ceremony at Portland City
Hall.
“Hoopin’ it Up offers
such a positive experience for our kids,” said Jacob Fox,
HAP’s assistant director for Asset Management. “HAP
is privileged to share in this award and to have the chance to partner
with so many organizations that are dedicated to bringing opportunity
to kids in need. This camp has proven to be a great opportunity
for boys and girls to come together to learn about leadership, hard
work, team spirit and respect for their peers.”
Read more about the 2008 Spirit of Portland Awards
HAP PROFILE: Office of Neighborhood Involvement
The City
of Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) Crime
Prevention Program was one of HAP's founding partners in the
Hoopin' it Up basketball camp. While the agency offers a
range of services as the primary community involvement bureau of the
city, its crime prevention program works with neighbors, the Police
Bureau, and other agencies to organize and support community
partnerships to prevent crime and the fear of crime.
According to Michael Boyer, ONI crime prevention
program coordinator, the two-year-old basketball camp meets many
goals. "Since many of the camp staff are police officers,
this is a great way for the kids and law enforcement to come together
in a positive setting," said Boyer. "This camp has
been so successful, our long-term objective is to duplicate this
program in other neighborhoods across the city."
Boyer believes ONI's partnership with HAP
helps keep the public housing properties better connected with the
southwest Portland neighborhood. "They keep the door open
and work with us to build a strong community for everyone," he
said.
Read more about the Office of Neighborhood Involvement
Monthly Reports
Read the latest Dashboard report
Read the latest Humboldt Gardens report
Read the latest Public Housing Preservation report
HAP IN THE NEWS
Read more about HAP's
projects, accomplishments and work in the community.
PORTLAND SENTINEL: Getting Hands-on at Humboldt
DAILY JOURNAL OF COMMERCE: KPFF designs innovative bioswale system
THE OREGONIAN: Portland seeks housing for homeless vets
THE OREGONIAN: Portland looks for "plan B" on affordable housing
PHONE: 503-802-8300 • E-MAIL: hapunwrapped@hapdx.org • WEB: www.hapdx.org