THE LATEST NEWS   November 2015

In this Issue: 

President's Message
Greetings housers! 

It is an honor to be kicking off my term as your new PNRC President. However, I can't deny that it feels a little daunting at times. It's my passion for all things housing and NAHRO that override the intimidation I sometimes feel.

NAHRO is like a second family to me. Not only is it wonderful to network and develop friendships with people who are "in the same boat," but I love the opportunities to learn from each other, share successes and failures, and to grow. Isn't that what family is all about, after all?

If you don't already know me, let me share with you a little about your sister in the trenches. I am the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pocatello located in one of our four beautiful states, Idaho. I have been in housing for 16 years and came to Pocatello nearly six years ago to assume the Executive Director position.  Our Housing Authority serves just over 1,000 households in Pocatello through six programs. We are small but mighty and like to say "good things are happening in Pocatello!"

Over the course of the next two years I hope to inspire and challenge you to do more and be more, both professionally and personally. Keep in mind, there will be many times I won't lead this charge but will, instead, hope to follow you on the innovative path you are creating. I am proud of our region and hope to elevate the great work you are all doing.

Over the next 12 months, specifically, I will use this article to challenge you to reach. In fact, by the time the year ends, you will be surprised at the many different directions you will reach!
This month's article has been my first effort to reach you. I look forward to getting to know each of you better. Please feel free to email or call on me anytime. I want to be here for you. I want to know your stories and I want to SHARE your stories. You inspire me. In the same breath, I would like to publicly thank NAHRO and PNRC for continually shaping me into the houser I want to be.

Sincerely,

Sunny Shaw
PNRC President  First
Regional NewsRegNews1
Boise 11-year-old wins 'What Home Means to Me' 
National Art Contest

HANNA. 11
Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, Idaho "Home is a place of shelter and care; home is a place you're always welcomed. Home is a life-long treasure; home is where the heart lives its measure."
BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) -- An 11-year-old from Boise won a trip to Washington D.C. in a contest sponsored by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

The winner, Hanna Fuhriman of Boise, submitted artwork and an essay of "What Home Means To Me" that was ranked and evaluated at the local, regional and national level. The contest was open to children in grades K-12 who are residing in affordable housing and community developments under NAHRO.   Read entire story here and  What Home Means to Me Winners Announced.RegNews2

Kennewick Housing Authority Presented with Housing America Month Proclamation

October 20, 2015, Mayor Pro Tem presents Kennewick Housing Authority's Executive Director, Lona Hammer with Housing America Month Proclamation.
New Senior Apartments,
Homebuyer Assistance Financed
 
SEATTLE, Wash.-Seniors in Des Moines and Vancouver will benefit from newly built, affordable apartments thanks to $34.4 million in financing approved yesterday by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

The new apartments are being financed through a combination of tax-exempt bonds or notes and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits provided through the Commission.

The Commission also approved a new partnership with the city of Bellingham that will expand the city's down payment assistance program for homebuyers. 
Read entire press release here.  RedNews4


Everett Housing Authority  Receives NAHRO National
Award of Excellence in Affordable Housing 

Everett Housing Authority received recognition from NAHRO in the form of three Awards of Merit at the NAHRO Summer Conference in Austin, TX.  One project, Pivotal Point Apartments, went on to win the NAHRO Agency Award of Excellence for Program Innovation in Affordable Housing at the NAHRO National Conference in Los Angeles, CA. 
 
Partnering with Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County (DVS) the Everett Housing Authority coordinated to convert an Army Reserve Center into a shelter and construct twenty units of supportive housing with a preference for survivors of domestic violence experiencing homelessness. Pivotal Point Apartments, completed in August of 2014, quickly achieved 100% occupancy.  Residents have access to onsite services, as well as services at the adjacent DVS emergency shelter.  Most importantly, they have a safe place for their families to begin to heal.  Click here for photos and more information RegNews6


Housing Authority of Yamhill County Receives
NAHRO National Award of Excellence in Project Design 

Deskin Commons The Housing Authority of Yamhill County (HAYC) developed a 3+ acre site near downtown Newberg, OR. The site required extensive efforts working with local government and surrounding neighbors to change property zoning, preserve the existing historic homes and larger trees, deal with poor soil percolation, integrate into the neighborhood without being intrusive, and create a safe environment for residents consisting of workforce families and integrated special needs clients. The resulting 56-unit development addressed all of these issues, and created a cornerstone property of which all can be proud.  Click here for more information. RegNews7


Beacon Development and the Housing Authority of the City of Pasco and Franklin County Partnership, 
A Commitment to Agricultural Worker Housing


Over the summer Beacon celebrated the opening of Varney Court, its latest agricultural worker project undertaken in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Pasco and Franklin County (HACPFC). Located at the intersection of 4th and Pearl in Pasco, WA, the project features 38 apartments spread across seven buildings around a central courtyard, community building and playground. The two-, three- and four-bedroom apartment layouts and child-focused amenities were specifically designed for families working in the local agricultural industry. RegNews7


Longview Housing Authority's Renovation of
Homeless Veteran's Housing  is Complete

Stratford Arms, which offers permanent housing for disabled homeless veterans is run by the Longview Housing Authority's Veteran Integration Program (VIP). 

The housing authority recently wrapped up a five-year project to renovate the 20-unit building, which dates from the 1920s.

The $2.6 million effort to restore the Stratford Arms involved installing new appliances, windows, laundry and recreation rooms, and sprinkler and ventilation systems. It also made the complex fit for people with disabilities, as the Veterans Administration to continue reimbursing LHA for support services for residents. Read entire story here. RegNews9


Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing
Partners with Housing Authorities on Two Projects

Toppenish Family Housing
The Yakima Housing Authority and the Office of Rural and Farmworker housing are partnering to establish housing in Toppenish, WA. This development broke ground in May and should deliver 30 Low Income and Farmworker Housing units to the lower Yakima Valley. Lease up should begin in the spring of 2016. Photo on left.











Rainier Park
The Sunnyside Housing Authority and
O
RFH are teaming up to develop 40 units for Low Income an d Farmworker housing in Sunnyside, WA and will be named Rainier Park. The 40 units are ahead of schedule and will become available as early as January and finish by April of 2016  Photo above right.. www.orfh.orgJobOpp1
Job Opportunities
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Housing Authority of Jackson County (Medford, OR)
Housing Kitsap (Bremerton, WA)
 Tacoma Housing Authority
Professional Development
Click her for the  NAHRO Training Calendar to see upcoming professional development opportunities.



Bring a NAHRO Training to Your Agency!
 
Did you know that you can bring almost any NAHRO seminar and certification product to your agency?  If multiple members of your agency's staff require professional education, contracting with NAHRO for an on-site training can be a smart - and affordable - investment. The on-site approach allows instructors to devote more time to issues that are specific to your organization. The on-site approach also reduces or eliminates travel time along with lodging and transportation costs for your staff. And, depending upon the number of staff members that participate in the training, the per-person cost for the training product can be signficantly lower than our regular registration fee. Finally, I wanted to let you know that we can now make many of our e-Learning sessions available to your agency through our on-site model. For example, we can deliver a dedicated, customized version of our popular online Excellence in Customer Service e-Learning exclusively for your agency's staff.  
 
Whatever your training needs, NAHRO will work with you to design an on-site program that meets your budget and is scheduled with your agency's calendar in mind.  For more information, please contact the appropriate member of NAHRO's Professional Development team:
Thank you for reading. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about any of our products or services, please don't hesitate to contact me. 
 
Chief Program Officer