Housing Highlights Volume 6, Issue 8
WHA Newsletter
Housing Highlights Volume 6, Issue 8
Housing Highlights
For residents of Washington Housing Authority
Volume 6, Issue 8 July-September 2022Inside This Issue
1 June is National Homeownership Month
2 A Message from the ED
3 Juneteenth
4 FSS
5 Financial Empowerment
6 - 9 Resident Participation in Public Housing Part 964 Regulations Outline of Key Features
10 Upcoming Events
11 Food
12 Kids' Corner
13 FYI
June Is National Homeownership Month
Have You Heard of the WISH Program?
W.I.S.H is a partnership between Washington Housing Authority and the City of Washington. Learn how we can assist you with the down payment towards your home!
Eligibility Requirements
Be a resident of WHA: Public Housing, HCV, or Clifton Meadows
Have a minimum annual household income of $18,000
Be in good standing of your leaseFor more information, contact:
Alecia Rhoe (ROSS Coordinator) 252-644-6055
Kimberly Grimes (FSS Coordinator) 252-644-2396
A Message from the ED
A Message from the ED
Truth and Service
After three years of serving the residents of the Washington Housing Authority, I am saddened to announce I will be departing on June 10, 2022. It has been my pleasure to serve in this role. I want to thank each of you for holding me accountable to ensure that the agency was delivering on its promise of providing safe, sanitary, decent, and affordable housing.
I am aware that there are times, we fall short of delivering all those points but there are times where we hit each mark! The staff that remains cares deeply about providing you with the absolute best customer service possible and want your feedback whenever that is not happening.
Over the last three years, we have been able to restore the basketball courts and playgrounds. WHA replaced all the appliances in Old Fort. WHA replaced all HVAC units in Oakcrest. Soon the residents of East Haven will have Wellness Rooms to exercise. WHA updated parking lots to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. WHA was approved for funding for a new position through the Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency program, I encourage you all to seek Ms. Alecia Rhoe out for assistance whenever you have a goal but can't quite figure out the path to reach success. WHA will begin roof replacement this summer. WHA is in the process of removing all wood and piping handrails to replace them with the wrought iron railings some of you may have noticed in Oakcrest. WHA replaced all windows in Eastern Village and Eastern Village Annex.
WHA established the Washington Initiative to Support Homeownership (WISH), there is funding and resources available to families that live in properties owned and managed by WHA to participate. We want you to be homeowners! Make this a goal for 2022 to remove any barriers that prevents you from owning your home. WHA established the Torch Scholarship as well as the 3on3on9th to support the scholarship. Please make sure your graduating seniors apply for the $1000.00 scholarship. The Sports Scholarship was expanded to include registration fees for children that had interest outside of sports such as: Boys and Girl Scouts, Dance, Art, STEM programs etc.
WHA needs your help; we need you to participate in your Resident Advisory Board. You have a voice...USE IT. You have influence and power in the housing authority...exercise it. Did you know HUD wants you to participate in the development of policy? The Code of Federal Regulations §964.135 states:
• "Residents shall be involved and participate in the overall policy development and direction of Public Housing operations."This regulation is separate from the Resident Commissioner that serves on the Board. Again, I encourage you to organize to ensure the direction and the policies of the agency are what YOU want them to be...you guys are the ones impacted by the decisions made on your behalf.
The motto of North Carolina Central University is Truth and Service. I have done my best to always tell you all the truth about any changes, policies, and activities the agency was undertaking and how you would be impacted. I have always said, I am here to serve you and I am prayerful that the programs that were implemented under my leadership served you and your family.
This community will always have a special place in my heart.
Yours in Housing,
Vanessa L. Dunn, MPA
Juneteenth
JUNETEENTH
https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth
Juneteenth (short for "June Nineteenth") marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. In June 2021, Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday; President Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021.
Juneteenth Celebration Events2022 Juneteenth Freedom Festival (Washington, NC)
Saturday, June 18, 2022
Beebe Memorial Park 4:00pm-8:00pmFestivities will begin with a Parade at 3:30 pm (line up at 3 pm) along the Freedom to Prosperity Walking Trail which starts at the Underground Railroad Museum downtown and ends at the Museum of African American Education, on the old P. S. Jones School Campus
This is a FREE community event! For more information, call: 252-975-9333Juneteenth Health and Wellness Festival (Ayden, NC)
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Ayden Parks and Recreation Department 2:00pm-7:00pmFood, entertainment, vendors! Please come and bring your friends and family. Bringing health awareness to the community, centering on Black Family and Men's Health. Focusing on Total Wellness and Access to Services.
Juneteenth Freedom Day (Murfreesboro, NC)
Saturday, June 18, 2022
Riverside Park 11:00amThis is an outdoor, family-friendly event. Free and open to the public! There will be a parade on Main Street, followed by a community festival at River Street Park. Vendors, Food, Music, Games, Fellowship, Genealogy, and much more! Sponsored by the Murfreesboro, NC African American History Coalition, and the Murfreesboro High School Alumni.
For more information, call: 252-395-2327Juneteenth Albemarle Block Celebration (Greenville, NC)
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Albemarle Ave 4:00pm3rd annual Juneteenth celebration is here and bigger! Meet us on Albemarle Avenue at 4pm to come together to celebrate, eat, dance, and watch some amazing performers all for FREE! There will be food trucks, vendors and so much fun for the entire family. For more information, visit: www.GTACNC.org
The Decades of Excellence Extravaganza (Greenville, NC)
Friday, June 17, 2022
629 Albemarle Avenue, Greenville, NCCome celebrate culture and community for the start of Juneteenth weekend. On Friday, June 17th, 2022 FXE house DJ's will bring the vibe of time travel from all eras. Dress code will be enforced throughout the entire night. In order to celebrate within the Roxy Theatre, you must come dressed in a fashion style between 1920-2020. We are highlighting excellence over 100 years in America. Doors will open at 8pm. Tickets are $7 in advance online and $10 at the door. For more information, please go to www.futureent.org or www.gtacnc.org.
FSS
FSS
Breaking News:
FSS Accepting ApplicationsAccountability
Stability
Self-Sufficient
Reach your Goals
Possibility of Homeownership
Dream BIG
New Careers
Escrow Account
Contact: Kimberly Grimes
Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator
@ 252-644-2396
Financial Empowerment
Let's Talk Financial Empowerment
Talking about money shouldn't feel like a chore!
Join us as we discuss varying topics to work towards financial empowerment!
Every Wednesday
From 10:00am-11:30am
Location
Old Fort Community Office
204 W. 9th Street
Washington, NC 27889Join Virtually via Zoom
Meeting ID: 236 582 3004
Passcode: WHAFIN
Contact: Alecia Rhoe
ROSS Coordinator
252-644-6055
alecia@wha-nc.org
Dates and Topics
June 15: Setting Goals and Saving
June 22: Tracking Income and Benefits & Paying Bills
June 29: Getting Through the Month & Dealing with Debt
July 6: Understanding Credit Reports & Scores
DID YOU KNOW: June is National Homeownership Month? Homeownership is a goal of many people around the world, but sometimes stumbling blocks make it seem unlikely or impossible. The WISH Program may assist eligible residents of public housing, HCV, and Clifton Meadows with the down payment towards a home. This month, we are working to address all underlying issues that can affect one's ability to purchase a home. That includes hosting a series of workshops on financial empowerment. For more information on the workshops, contact Alecia Rhoe, ROSS Coordinator, at 252-644-6055. For information on the WISH Program, contact Alecia Rhoe or
Kimberly Grimes, FSS Coordinator, at 252-644-2396.
Resident Participation in Public Housing Part 964 Regulations Outline of Key Features
Ed Gramlich
September 2011
Sources
Statute: 42 USC 1437d(j)(H)(ii) and 1437g(e)
Regulations: 24 CFR Part 964
PIH Notice 2001-3, which is still in effect according to PIH Notice 2011-51Statement of Purpose
"The purpose of this part is to recognize the importance of resident involvement in creating a positive living environment and in actively participating in the overall mission of public housing."
[§964.1]
HUD Policy
"HUD promotes resident participation and the active involvement of residents in all aspects of a HA's [housing authority's] overall mission and operation."
"Residents have a right to organize and elect a resident council to represent their interests."
Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) "shall recognize the 'duly elected' resident council to participate fully through a working relationship with the PHA." [see 'duly elected' on last page]
[§964.11]
HUD's Role
The form and extent of resident participation are local decisions.
HUD will promote tenant participation.
HUD will attempt to provide technical assistance.
[§964.16]
Resident Involvement in PHA Operations
"Residents shall be involved and participate in the overall policy development and direction of Public Housing operations."
[§964.135]
"Residents shall be actively involved in a PHA's decision-making process and give advice on matters such as modernization, security, maintenance, resident screening and selection, and recreation."
[§964.135(b)]
PHAs must ensure strong resident participation in all issues and aspects of its operations through the resident council(s).
[§964.135(c)]
Resident Participation In Public Housing page 2
Resident Councils and PHA's Role
For "large" PHAs (with more than 250 units):
• The PHA must officially recognize a "duly elected" resident council as the "sole representative" of residents. (The PHA can't recognize a competing resident council.)
• The PHA must support the resident council's tenant participation activities.
• Any funding of resident activities and resident input in decisions about public housing operations must be made only through the officially recognized resident council.
• The PHA must provide residents or any resident council with information about the PHA's policy on tenant participation in management.
• The PHA "should" provide a resident council office space and meeting facilities at no cost.
o If a resident council requests, the PHA must negotiate with it to write an agreement regarding all uses of community space for meetings, recreation, social services, and other resident participation activities.
o If a PHA refuses to negotiate or permit use of community space, the resident council can file an appeal with HUD.
• The PHA must have open communication and frequent meetings with resident councils.
• Resident councils must hold frequent meetings with residents so that they are aware of and can be actively involved in the PHA's activities and decisions.
• There must be a Memorandum of Understanding between the PHA and the resident council that describes their partnership agreement. This MOU must be updated every three years.
[§964.18(a)]
For "small" PHAs (with less than 250 units)
• The PHA cannot deny residents the opportunity to organize.
• The PHA must officially recognize a "duly elected" resident council as the "sole representative" of residents. (The PHA can't recognize a competing resident council.)
• The PHA must provide residents or any resident council with information about the PHA's policy on tenant participation in management.
[§964.18(b)]More on PHA's Role With Resident Councils and PHA Operations, next page
Resident Participation In Public Housing page 3
More on PHA's Role With Resident Councils and PHA Operations
All PHAs (small and large) must work in partnership with resident councils.
Through education and direct participation, PHAs must involve interested residents and officers of resident councils in all phases of the budget process.
When a resident council requests, the PHA must ensure that the officers of the resident council and other residents are fully trained and involved in developing and implementing various federal programs that affect public housing developments.
Resident council officers must be encouraged to become involved in the resident screening and selection process.
[§964.135]
Federal Funding for Resident ParticipationFrom the operating subsidy provided by HUD, PHA's must distribute $25 per occupied unit for resident services at each development (called AMPs, "asset management projects").
• $15 per unit is to fund resident participation activities by resident councils.
• $10 per unit is to for the PHA to cover costs it has in carrying out its resident participation
• responsibilities.If there are both project-specific resident councils and a jurisdiction-wide resident council the
distribution of the funds have to be agreed upon by the project-specific councils, the jurisdiction-wide council, and the PHA. They must collaborate on how the funds will be distributed. (Individual resident councils may form a 'jurisdiction-wide resident council that represents all public housing residents in the jurisdiction of a PHA.)
[§964.150]
If a development does not have a resident council, resident councils from other developments must negotiate with the PHA on behalf of all residents.If there are no resident councils, the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) shall provide resident input in the annual decision-making process for resident participation funding and activities.
[PIH Notice 2001-3]
The PHA must provide and spend funding allocated for resident participation no matter how bad the PHA's financial status.
[§964.150(a)(2) and PIH Notice 2001-3]
However, when federal appropriations for operating subsidies are trimmed by Congress, then the $25 per unit figure will also be trimmed in the same proportion as other parts of operating costs (referred to as the "proration"). For example, if PHAs only get 95% of the operating subsidy they should get according to the HUD formula, then the resident participation portion will also get only 95% of what it should, in this example 95% of $25 equals $23.75.
[PIH Notice 2001-3]
Resident Participation in Public Housing page 4
Eligible Uses of Resident Participation Funds
Resident participation activities are intended to be in addition to PHA Plan activities and training (see separate handout regarding PHA Plan resident participation features).
Eligible uses of the $25 per occupied unit funds include, but is not limited to:
• Outreach and consultation with public housing residents in support of active interaction between residents and the PHA.
• Informing residents about issues and operations of the PHA that affect residents and their living environment.
• Surveys and other forms of resident input.
• Annual membership events.
• Site-based community promotions that improve resident participation.
• Training for Resident Commissioners, resident councils, and RABs.
• Resident council organizing and elections.
• Leadership development.
• Household training.
• Communications with residents.
• Orientation and responsibilities for new residents.
• Planning for the PHA Plan, revitalization, property management and maintenance, capital
• improvements, and safety and security.
• Minimal refreshments directly related to resident meetings related to the above kinds of activities.
[PIH Notice 2001-3]
"Duly Elected Resident Council"A resident council is an organization made up of people living in a public housing development (or combination of developments) that has written procedures and by-laws that call for the election of residents to a governing board by residents living in the development(s) they will represent.
There must be at least five elected resident council board members, chosen democratically at least every three years. To be eligible to vote, a resident must be on the lease and be at least eighteen years old or the head of a household.
[§964.115, 125, and 130]
Upcoming Events
• The New Resident Council Advisory Board consists of: Ollie Faye Price, Lorraine Gordon, Angela Gibbs, Tracey Moore, Lillian Bailey, and Felecia Ward. Next meeting: Tuesday, June 21st @ 12pm @ Old Fort Community Center.
• Monday, June 27, 2022 is National HIV Testing Day. 11:00am - 3:00pm. Location: Old Fort- 204 West 9th Street
• July 7, 2022: Pest control for Clifton Meadows and Old Fort
• July 15, 2022: "Knowledge Is Wealth Event". There will be a collaboration of organizations coming together to share with the community updates and new available resources. Location: Washington Housing Authority parking lot
Time: 12pm-2pm
• National Night Out will be Tuesday, August 2, 2022, @ Beebe Memorial Park from 6-8pm.
• August 4, 2022: Pest control for Eastern Village, Eastern Village Annex, and Westbrooke
• Fall GED/Computer Literacy Course will begin August 2022. Interested tenants are encouraged to call ROSS Coordinator, Alecia Rhoe at: 252-644-6055 or email alecia@wha-nc.org to register. This will be a 96-hour course. Location, dates, and times will be available later.
• September 1, 2022: Pest control for East Haven and Oak Crest
• October 6, 2022: Pest control for Clifton Meadows and Old FortCongratulations to Washington Housing Authority's Digital Literacy Class of 2022! Students (from left to right) Lorraine Gordon, Sebrena Mallison, Sandra Adams, and Katie Carter completed 96 hours of digital literacy modules and certifications. They are pictured with their instructor, Crystal Miller of Beaufort County Community College. These certifications are able to be included in their resumes.
Washington Housing Authority has partnered with BCCC to offer digital literacy and GED classes to our residents on site with WHA starting August 2022. Those who are interested in taking the course must register in July 2022. Thanks to the Beaufort Promise program, students can take these courses for free! All classes are currently free at BCCC. If you are interested, please contact Alecia Rhoe, ROSS Coordinator, at 252-644-6055 or alecia@wha-nc.org. Space is limited and is first come, first served.
Food
Pizza Grilled Cheese
8 slices Italian sandwich bread
6 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter, melted
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
48 slices of full-size pepperoni, 12 slices per sandwich
2 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese, ½ cup per sandwich
8 slices smoked provolone cheese
8 tablespoons pizza sauce1. Add the melted butter, extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, and onion powder to a small mixing bowl. Whisk, or stir, to combine.
2. Heat a 10 to 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.
3. Generously brush one side of 2 pieces of bread with the butter mixture.
4. Place the two pieces of bread in the skillet, butter side down.
5. Carefully spoon and spread 2 tablespoons of the pizza sauce over the bread slices in the skillet.
6. Lay 1 slice of the provolone on top of the sauce layer.
7. Sprinkle ¼ cup of the shredded mozzarella over the provolone layer.
8. Lay the 12 slices of pepperoni over each of the two sandwiches.
9. Sprinkle ¼ cup more of the shredded mozzarella over the pepperoni
layer.
10. Lay 1 slice of provolone on top of the top mozzarella layer.
11. Place the top slices of bread on top of the top provolone layer.
12. Generously brush the top slices of bread with the butter mixture.
13. Cook each sandwich for 3 to 4 minutes per side.No-Bake Golden Oreo Lasagna
1 Pack of Golden Oreos (14.3 oz), divided
1 cup of milk
8 oz. cream cheese
3 oz package of vanilla pudding
8 oz. container whipped topping, divided
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup of sugar
9×13 or 9×9 glass pan (depending on the thickness of layers desired)1. Start with just 20 Oreos in a Ziploc bag and crush them. The cookies can be crushed into small chunks and pieces, they do not need to be finely ground down.
2. Pour the crumbs into a medium bowl and add the melted butter. Stir and knead until well mixed.
3. Press the mixture evenly into the glass pan. It might seem looser than a traditional crust and this is okay. After it chills, the crust becomes solid and easy to cut and serve.
4. Next, soften the cream cheese and place in a bowl. Add the sugar and blend with a hand mixer until smooth. Gently fold in roughly half of the container of the whipped topping.
5. Combine the pudding mix and milk in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk until smooth and let sit for about 2 minutes. Carefully pour and spread it over the cream cheese layer in the pan.
6. Spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding without too much pulling or dragging.
7. Set aside about 6 full Oreos for garnish and crush the remaining ones in the gallon bag. Sprinkle evenly over the whipped topping and you are done. Put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.
Kids' Corner
Kids' Corner
Feelings Trace and Match
Trace and read the words then draw a line to the person with that emotion.
Sad
Scared
Happy
Surprised
MadHow Many?
Make Compound Words- Spring
Put two words together to make compound words.
blue + bells = bluebells
bull + frog =
butter + cup =
butter + fly=
dragon + fly =
egg + shell=
flower + bed =
grass + hopper
rain + bow =
spring + time +
1. light grey
2 grey
3 dark grey
4 pink
5 green
6 blue
Information
FYI!
Upcoming Board Meetings
January 27 - Central Office
February 24 - Central Office
March 24 - Central Office
April 28 - Central Office
May 26 - Central Office
June 23 - Central Office
July 28 - Central Office
August 25 - Central Office
September 22 - Central Office
October 27 - Central Office
November 24 - TBD
December 22 - TBDDates are subject to change due to weather or holidays.
2022 Holiday Closings
January 17, 2022- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 21, 2022- President's Day
April 15, 2022- Good Friday
May 30, 2022- Memorial Day
July 4, 2022- Independence Day
September 5, 2022- Labor Day
October 10, 2022- Columbus Day
November 11, 2022- Veteran's Day
November 24-November 25, 2022- Thanksgiving Day & Day After
December 23-December 26, 2022- Christmas BreakWHA 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
Part-time Maintenance Mechanic 1
Maintenance Mechanic II
Senior Procurement Specialist
Apply on indeed.comIf 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
Edith Cobb:
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
252-946-0061Website
www.washingtonhousingauthority.orgCity of Washington
Non-Emergency Number
252-946-1444