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A Newsletter For Our Friends &
Partners November
2008
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Housing Commission Wins National Awards
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 The
San Diego Housing Commission won three Awards
of Excellence from the National Association of
Housing & Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO),
for:
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SDHC's innovative redesign of the local Public
Housing program - which enabled the agency to better
serve residents of affordable properties such as the
one pictured above
>A
youth financial fitness program
>The
mixed-use Renaissance North Park development
Presented at NAHRO's annual fall conference in
San Antonio, the Awards of Excellence recognize
outstanding innovation and achievement in
housing and community development programs
throughout the country. NAHRO officials
characterized winning entries as achievements
that could serve as national models.
Additionally, SDHC's President & CEO Rick Gentry
received NAHRO's coveted John D. Lange
International Award in acknowledgement of his
global contributions to the affordable housing
arena.
Read the
news release. |
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GOsection 8.com: A New Service for Tenants and
Rental Owners
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 To
improve services both for Section 8 tenants and
participating rental owners, SDHC's Rental
Assistance Department replaced its old rental
vacancy listing service with a searchable
database called GOsection8.com. Operated by a
private vendor at no cost to the Housing
Commission, tenants or rental owners, the
listing service has helped reduce staff time
while offering a more effective system for
participants.
At the GOsection8 website, tenants can view
property listings as well as search for specific
criteria. Owners can post basic rental unit
listings free of charge, with premium services
available for a fee. GOsection8 also saves
owners time because it covers multiple housing
authority jurisdictions.
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Success
Story |
Rental Assistance: Both a Safety Net
and Springboard
As a hard-working husband and father of two,
Steven managed to juggle family time and a
low-wage construction job, while also
studying to become a certified journeyman
sheet metal worker. The plan was going
smoothly, until Steven suffered a
career-ending back injury.
Fortunately, the family had already been
participating in SDHC's Section 8 Rental
Assistance program. During the months Steven
was recovering, SDHC staff reduced the
family's rent portion to a level Steven
could afford on his limited disability
income.
He also signed up for SDHC's Family
Self-Sufficiency program, which helped him
prepare for a new career path in real estate
and put him on track to homeownership.
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Affordable
Housing Spotlight: The Cove |
 The
Cove Apartments offer both a new life for a rundown
building - and a fresh start for its residents.
Developed by The Association for Community Housing
Solutions (TACHS) with $1.1 million in SDHC funding,
the newly renovated, 20-unit apartment complex
provides supportive housing to very-low income
formerly homeless adults with mental disabilities.
 Located
in Talmadge, the u-shaped, two story structure was
constructed in 1958 as an annex
to a motel. Last year, TACHS purchased and
extensively rehabilitated the aging property.
Renovations included new roofing, termite
treatment, asbestos and lead-based paint
abatement, access improvements for units serving
persons with disabilities, electrical and
plumbing upgrades, energy-efficient windows and
doors, water efficient plumbing, new flooring,
bathroom upgrades and kitchen remodels, laundry
facilities, new security lighting and fencing,
and alley improvements. Additionally, the
in-ground pool was replaced with a landscaped
courtyard.
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News & Notes |
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> The Housing Authority and
Housing Commission approved a $2.2 million loan
to Wakeland Housing & Development to purchase
and rehabilitate Village Green
Apartments (located in the community of
Rolando). Once renovations are completed, the
94-unit rental property will provide affordable
housing to low-income families. As a condition
of the funding, rent restrictions will remain in
place for 55 years.
> Lead Paint Safety
Grant: The San Diego Housing
Commission, on behalf of the City of San Diego,
has been awarded $7 million from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development to
help protect residents from lead paint hazards.
Read the
news release.
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The San Diego Housing Commission
is a public agency
working
to expand affordable housing opportunities in
the City of San Diego. Each year, the agency
helps 80,000
low-income individuals with affordable housing
through award-winning programs that benefit the
city's economy and revitalize neighborhoods. The
agency also finances affordable housing
development and advises the San Diego City
Council on housing policy matters. Learn more: www.sdhc.org.
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