2001-2002 Annual Report - Housing Authority of the City of Austin

Celebrating a place called home.
For sixty-five years, the Housing Authority
of the City of Austin (HACA) has provided
sufficient housing to low-income Austinites.
It has taken people out of substandard
residences and placed them into modest,
affordable and safe homes, and it has served
people in ways that lift them out of poverty
and add dignity to their lives.
Home. It’s more than just an address.
It’s a place in the heart.
A place to raise a family, rest from the rigors of work,
and enjoy the companionship of friends.
In meeting this fundamental need, HACA
led the way among housing authorities
across the United States. Soon after the U.S.
Congress passed the Housing Act of 1937,
which provides federal assistance to local
public housing authorities, HACA became
the first housing authority in the nation to
begin constructing a housing neighborhood.
People began moving into that community,
Santa Rita Courts, in 1939.
Today, HACA has grown to 19 communities
with 1,928 units, 22 single-family home
sites and a Section 8 program that subsidizes
housing for over 4,500 low-income individuals and families. From the Depression to
the Information Age, HACA has given those
in need a place to come home to that’s more
than just an address.
Letter from the Mayor
Letter from the Chairman
Charles Bailey
Jackson Cole
Carl S. Richie, II
James Hargrove
Executive Director
Rita Wanstrom
Vice Chair
Henry Flores
Chairman
Letter from the Executive Director
Housing Authority Directors
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Wenceslao Santiago
Director of Housing Operations
Cindy Bartz
Director of Community Development
James Hargrove
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Isiah Hernandez
Deputy Executive Director
Director of Assisted Housing
Celebrating partners throughout Austin.
Celebrating students in school.
HACA has been grateful to receive the support and cooperation
of the following businesses and institutions:
Bold=Mayfest
Plaintext= Programmatic Partners
38th Street Pharmacy
AAA Fire and Safety Equipment Co.
ACC Center for Nonprofit and Community-Based Organizations
A.G.E. (Austin Groups for the Elderly)
Adult Protective Services
Alzheimer’s Association
American YouthWorks
APICON
Dr. Paul and Jane Anaejionu
Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area
Armstrong Community Music School
Austin Affordable Housing Corporation
The Austin Academy
Austin Community College
Austin Energy
Austin Independent School District
Austin Independent School District – Gear-Up
Austin Community Nursery Schools
Austin Families
Austin Health and Human Services Department, Thurmond Heights
Wellness Center
Austin Police Department
Beaman Metal Company
Becker Elementary School
Book People
Boy Scouts of America – Capitol Area Council
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area
BiG Austin
Capital Area Food Bank
Capital IDEA
Capitol Elevator Company
Capital Metro
Caring Senior Service
Century Maintenance Supply
Central East Austin Community Organization (CEACO)
Child, Inc.
Children’s Sports Foundation
Circle of Life Hospice
City of Austin – Neighborhood Housing and Community Development
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department – Roving Leaders
Program
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department – Senior Support
Services
Cliff Fort’s Flower Market
Dr. Kristy Clinton, Chiropractor
Communities In Schools – Central Texas
Community Action Network
Compass Bank
Con Ganas
Cross Pointe Church
Crump Plumbing Supply
Curras Grill
Disability Assistance of Central Texas
Dispute Resolution Center
DJ Rick in the House
Doc Holiday’s Car Wash
Family Eldercare
Family Forward
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
First Care Home Health Services
Frost Bank
Gamebreaker Sportswear
Girl Scouts – Lone Star Council
Italics=FSS Banquet
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, Inc.
Guaranty Bank
Gulf Coast Paper Co., Inc.
H.E.B.
Hearing Health Care
Gregory Hitt, Attorney at Law
Home Care Chiropractic – Diana DeLaRosa, D.C.
Home of Our Own
Homeward Bound
Howerton Eye Center
Huston-Tillotson College
Hyde Park Baptist Church
J.E.L.L.O.
John’s Body Shop
JPMorganChase
King’s Club
George Kozmetsky
KPE Development, L.L.C.
Legal Aid of Central Texas
Legend Communities, Inc.
Lisa’s Hope Chest
Lower Colorado River Authority
Magnet Lady
Diana McIver & Associates
Med. Care of Texas
Minnie’s Beauty Salon
Mission Austin
Mission Funeral Home
Old Navy
Our Austin Group
D. Ladd Patillo
Positive Energy, Inc.
Prevent Blindness
Red Cross
Dr. Rosenwig
Roy’s Taxi
Salinas Printing
S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together)
Sidewalk Sunday School
The Siegel Group
State Farm Insurance
Texas Adult Literacy Laubach
Texas Association of Minority Business Enterprises (TAMBE)
Texas Legal Services Center
Texas Housing Finance Corporation
Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation
Town Lake Florists
Travis County Housing Authority
TreeFolks
United Contractor Service
United Way Capital Area – First Call for Help
United Way Capital Area – Volunteer Center
University of Texas Project 2002
University of Texas Student Service Group
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home
Xerox of Texas
Weitzman Group
Woodlawn Baptist Church
WorkSource – Greater Austin Area Workforce Board
YWCA of Greater Austin
Currently, one out of every four 9th graders living
in central Texas will not complete high school.
To help decrease the drop out rate of school-aged
youth living in public housing, the Housing
Authority of the City of Austin and its partner,
Communities in Schools – Central Texas (CIS),
developed the School to Success Initiative.
The School to Success Initiative, funded through
Housing and Urban Development and Austin
Affordable Housing Corporation, motivates
students to stay in school through academic
and enrichment activities. The CIS staff members
serve as advocates to students living in public
housing both in school and after-school,
and are committed to helping students
overcome the barriers to graduation.
To further encourage youth living in its
communities to stay and succeed in school,
HACA developed the HACA Scholarship
Program. In the 2001 – 2002 school year,
15 recipients received over $50,000 in funding
generated by the Austin Affordable Housing
Corporation. These scholarship recipients have
maintained an impressive combined GPA of 3.18.
Celebrating successful operations.
A strongly unified department, teamwork, and
an emphasis on creativity enabled the Housing
Operations department to again thrive in 2001
2002. Many new programs were implemented
to aid in the efficiency and effectiveness of the
department’s daily responsibilities.
An On-Time Rent Drawing is held monthly
at every property. Residents who pay their rent
on the first day of the month are entered in the
drawing, and the winner receives a home-related
prize. Since the program’s inception, on-time
rent payment has dramatically increased.
The Good Housekeeping Sticker Program
recognizes households with favorable results
on both the annual Uniform Physical Conditions
Standards (UPCS) inspections and the Annual
Housekeeping Inspection. The sticker is placed on
the recipient’s door and encourages them and their
neighbors to take pride in their homes. This year
HACA scored 27 out of 30 points in the UPCS
inspections, earning the “High Performer”
rating from HUD.
Several of the new programs act as incentives
and team-builders for staff. The Property of the
Quarter Program recognizes developments with
superior unit turn-around and rent collection rates.
The Picture of the Week Program awards prizes
to staff who identify and repair a “mystery photo”
that is e-mailed to the department. The Zero
Turn-around Drawing rewards staff who
complete the task of a make-ready in one day.
Celebrating day-to-day improvements.
HACA’s vision of “creating and sustaining healthy
communities that promote . . . human dignity and
hope for the future” is achieved in part through the
Capital Fund Program. Managed by the Planning
and Development department, the Capital Fund is
a grant provided by HUD for physical and management improvements, emergency repairs, regulatory
compliance, improvements related to drug
elimination that are outside the scope of routine
maintenance, and other special projects.
This fiscal year, principal improvements included
comprehensive modernization at Rosewood and
Shadowbend Apartments. Additional highlights
were new paint and exterior repair, erosion
control, renovations of kitchens and baths,
new roofs, the addition of ADA-compliant units,
exterior lighting, and elevator upgrades at various
public housing developments throughout the city.
In 2001, HACA became the first housing
authority in Texas to enter into an Energy
Performance Contract to reduce agency-wide water
consumption. This year, toilets in all units were
replaced with new energy saving models.
In its first year, HACA saved over 46 million gallons of water. The program has further benefits
to residents and the broader Austin community
resulting in the conservation of natural resources
while teaching energy-saving methods that
residents can implement in their homes.
Bill Morgan
Manuel Sepeda
The glow cast a gentle light on his face as
he sat outside the apartment, peering in
through a front window, mesmerized by
the first television set he had ever seen.
The year was 1961. Bill Morgan was a
young child living with his parents and
six siblings at Chalmers Courts. Perhaps it
was this TV that sparked his perpetual
interest in all things mechanical.
The roar of the crowd is fierce and passionate.
A group of young kids, moved by the excitement and energy of those around them, parade
with confidence toward the ring. They are the
ones that carry the Texas flag before all of
Manuel Sepeda’s fights; they are the kids from
the Meadowbrook housing development.
Years later, in 1994, Morgan started his
own business, Cornerstone Heating and Air
Conditioning. Today he enjoys the success
of his business and family. Service calls
bring him back to the place he called home
forty years before. There he sees families
whose lives are being affected in a positive
way. And in his words, “public housing is
a good thing.”
Judy Vallejo
She rests her arms on the balcony railing and
watches the fiery sun sink beneath the line of
trees bordering her yard – her very own yard.
Judy Vallejo spent many years traveling the
long, winding, bumpy road to success. She
has finally arrived at her destination.
Today Judy travels the high road as a bus
driver for the Austin Independent School
District. She has been a bus driver for nine
years and a homeowner for six. But the
years prior to her recent successes were not
easy. She spent 22 years of her adult life
living at Chalmers Courts raising her three
children. Her granddaughter’s birth motivated her to move on with her life. Today she
tells those stuck in the cycle of poverty, “it’s
up to you to move on. Go for the gusto! If
you fall, dust yourself off, and keep going.”
Celebrating housing assistance as a key to success.
De Shaun Bradley
Manny Sepeda spent his teen years living at
Meadowbrook and Santa Rita. The years of his
youth were far from easy. He had to fight for the
success that he now enjoys as a National
Champion Featherweight boxer, a father, and a
husband. Today he finds strength in his family,
friends, and in encouraging current HACA
youth to aspire to greatness.
He’s the light of her life, her motivation to
succeed, and her true love. Jonathan was
born to De Shaun Bradley 15 years ago with
severe autism. Since his birth, she has faced
challenges that are inconceivable to most,
and she has overcome each with vigor.
Roy and Barbara Minton
Their grand home on Meadowbrook Lane
in West Austin is no more dear to their
hearts than the home they shared at the
Meadowbrook housing development in the
early 1960’s. Roy and Barbara Minton
lived at Meadowbrook with their three
children while Roy completed law school.
They recall time spent there as “happy
days” where they knew all their neighbors
and made enduring friendships.
Today Roy Minton, founder of Austin law
firm Minton, Burton, Foster & Collins, is
one of the top criminal defense attorneys in
Texas. Barbara Minton has given back to
the Meadowbrook Community by serving
on the board for the River City Youth
Foundation. The couple encourages those
living in public housing, “Don’t consider it
your plight in life. It was such a blessing
for us.”
Shortly after her son’s birth Bradley found
that she needed financial assistance. She
was granted a Section 8 voucher and joined
the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. After
nine years of receiving assistance she now
lives in her own new home, is completing a
Master’s degree, and works at MHMR
assisting families whose children are born
with autism. She reflects on her life,
“it’s been an incredible journey and will
continue to be so. I’ll embrace it with joy.”
Celebrating resident independence.
Celebrating Austin Affordable Housing Corporation.
Becoming a homeowner, a college graduate,
or a small business owner are just some of the
dreams that can be realized for residents who
join the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.
In June of 2000 HACA formed the Austin
Affordable Housing Corporation (AAHC),
a non-profit subsidiary that operates the Section 8
contract administration for the State of Texas.
As participants in the Community Development
department’s FSS program, residents sign contracts to make specific, measurable strides toward
becoming economically independent within
three to five years. HACA provides a variety
of support services to help FSS members reach
their goals including job skills training, child care
reimbursement, and transportation assistance.
AAHC successfully completed the HUD
required “Transition Phase,” and moved into “Full
Implementation.” Out of 37 contract administrators nationwide, AAHC was one of ten that
achieved this goal. AAHC passed its first annual
HUD compliance review with exemplary marks.
Also in 2001-2002, a campaign was launched to
dramatically expand the program. Fifty-four new
members joined the program last year, increasing
total enrollment by almost 50%. Since its
inception, 12 families have graduated from the
FSS Program. HACA’s 174 participating families
have a combined escrow balance of over $240,000.
AAHC incentive funds were primarily concentrated
on scholarships and the acquisition of rental
property. In August HACA and AAHC awarded
approximately $50,000 in scholarships to HACA
students seeking higher education. Additionally,
AAHC purchased 16 single family homes, further
expanding HACA’s low income housing inventory.
Celebrating greater assisted housing opportunities.
Over the past two years, HACA’s Assisted
Housing department has more than doubled its
number of available Section 8 vouchers to 4,645.
This acquisition has enabled HACA to decrease
the time applicants spend on the waiting list.
Through seminars, cold calls and visits, direct
mailings, trade show presence, increased
involvement in local real estate organizations,
print ad campaigns, and landlord appreciation
meetings, the Assisted Housing department has
increased the number of apartment complexes
accepting Section 8 vouchers.
Much of this success is due to a new program,
the “One Unit Challenge,” which encourages
property owners to lease one unit under the
voucher program. When they experience how
easy the program is, they may increase the
number of units offered to assisted families.
This effort is particularly successful at diversifying the communities where the vouchers are
accepted, thereby de-concentrating poverty. Over
half the new properties acquired in the past year
are designated as “non-impacted” by poverty.
Success in managing a rapidly growing program
earned the Assisted Housing department high
marks from HUD’s annual Section 8 Management
Assessment Program (SEMAP) certification.
HACA was rated a high performer, scoring 96%
on the evaluation.
The Assisted Housing department is continually
working to provide more housing choices to
families with Section 8 vouchers. Future plans
include more efforts in landlord and tenant
education, as well as continued pursuit
of additional vouchers.
Celebrating active admissions.
HACA’s Admissions department has had an
active year. Partnering with several Austin
agencies dedicated to affordable and fair housing,
the department reopened the Section 8 waiting
list on April 17, 2001, for the first time since
1999. In the first three days, HACA received over
3000 applications. The Section 8 waiting list has
remained open since then and currently holds
over 6300 applicants.
In addition to reopening the Section 8 waiting
list, the Admissions department interviewed
over 3500 new Section 8 applicants in eight
months and determined over 1700 of those families were eligible to be housed in the program.
The department also continued to determine
eligibility for the public housing program by
interviewing nearly 2000 families and filling over
500 vacancies. The efforts were instrumental in
HACA maintaining a 98% occupancy rate for the
Conventional Public Housing program.
To provide better customer service for all
applicants, the department also added an
admissions clerk who is dedicated solely
to maintaining the waiting list and assisting
customers. In the upcoming year, the Admissions
department has made customer
service its focus and plans to continue its
commitment to quality, sensitivity, and efficiency.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN
Combined Balance Sheet as of
March 31, 2002
Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenses and
Changes in Equity for the Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2002
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Investments
Receivables - net of allowance
Due from other funds
Inventories - net of allowance
Tenant security deposits
Deferred charges and other assets
Total Currents Assets
Fixed assets - net of accumulated depreciation
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES, EQUITY, AND OTHER CREDITS
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable
Due to other funds
Intergovernmental payables
Accrued wages /payroll taxes
Tenant security deposits
Deferred credits and other liabilities
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt, net of current liabilities
Total Liabilities
$6,983,834
2,555,990
2,922,510
746,910
33,146
313,298
345,575
$13,901,263
18,025,411
$31,926,674
$180,742
746,910
2,204,596
239,069
323,034
963,414
$4,657,765
4,664,117
$9,321,882
REVENUES
Tenant revenue
Program grants/subsidies
Intergovernmental
Interest
Other Income
Total Revenues
EXPENSES
Administrative
Tenant Services
Utilities
Maintenance
Protective Services
General Expense
Housing Assistance Payments
Depreciation
Total Expenses
$13,005,353
$39,505
9,559,934
Total equity and other credits
$22,604,792
TOTAL LIABILITIES EQUITY AND OTHER CREDITS
$31,926,674
$51,548,304
$9,126,989
1,422,846
1,887,778
2,571,203
204,455
500,461
28,258,911
1,340,695
$45,313,338
Excess of Revenues over Expenses
Operating Transfers
$6,234,966
(577,475)
Net Income after operating Transfers
Beginning Equity
$5,657,491
16,947,301
Ending Equity
Equity and Other Credits
Contributed capital
Reserved fund
Unreserved fund
$2,869,283
46,712,106
964,777
130,759
871,379
$22,604,792
Celebrating dedicated employees.
The Employee Recognition Committee,
comprised of staff from all departments within
HACA and AAHC, has a two-fold purpose. The
committee reviews staff nominations and selects
the Employees of the Quarter and Year, and it
manages the Voluntary Employee Fund that pays
for various staff events throughout the year.
Employees of the Quarter are selected from
nominations submitted by HACA and AAHC
staff members. The Committee reviews each
submission and selects the employee who has
demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the
agency through work performance, attendance,
and volunteer efforts. The Employee of the Year
is selected from the four Employees of the Quarter
and is voted on by the entire agency.
The Employee Fund supports a variety of
recreational activities for staff. This year the
funds allowed employees to enjoy a family picnic
and barbeque at Emma Long Park, a Thanksgiving
Dinner, and a holiday cocktail party at the Copper
Tank. These activities help unify a constantly
growing staff by bringing them together to socialize
in a relaxed, non-work environment.
Top to bottom:
Ken Elton
Diane Falcon (Employee of the Year)
Jennifer DeSilva
Gerald Armington