Fall 2014 edition - San Antonio Housing Authority

A publication of the San Antonio Housing Authority
Fall 2014
Neighbors
Early Engagement =
Successful Residents
EastPoint Revitalization
Continues
Families Move Into
New Westside Community
SAHA Welcomes
New Commissioner
Message From The President & CEO
As we come to the end of another year, I’d like to share our progress and achievements of
Summer 2014 and the much anticipated events coming between now and 2015.
Our summer was busy and exciting, with the continuation of several neighborhood and housing
revitalization efforts. On the Eastside of San Antonio, we kicked off the demolition of Wheatley Courts,
to prepare for the construction of the new $100 million neighborhood redevelopment that will feature
417 mixed-income apartments as part of the creation of a community-planned neighborhood of “choice”
-- a safe, healthy, vibrant, thriving community for children, families and seniors – all by December 2017.
Lourdes Castro Ramírez
While on the Westside, we continued with the construction of 252 units, including 12 work/live
units, at the Gardens of San Juan Square. As families are beginning to move in, we are looking
forward to our grand opening celebration later this year.
On the education front, this summer we hosted the second annual Education Summit with more
than 900 youth and families attending, and renamed the event after a wonderful San Antonian and
dedicated SAHA supporter, William “Bill” Sinkin. This October, the Education Summit will be recognized
with a coveted NAHRO Award of Excellence and the Jose Ruano Community Leadership Award.
To wrap up our summer, we completed the Summer Youth Employment Program for young
men and women, ages 16 to 21. The 80 participants had an opportunity to take part in a meaningful
employment and training experience at a number of local organizations and businesses.
We also recently added a new Commissioner to our Board, Ms. Lisa Rodriguez. She brings 15
years of financial experience working with inner city communities, identifying key development issues
and working toward initiatives and programs. We welcome Commissioner Rodriguez to our Board,
and thank all of our Board members for their leadership, service and support.
In this edition of Neighbors, you will also find information about: the Back-to-School event held
at Alazan-Apache Courts; the fun and healthy Wii Bowling program at several senior communities;
this year’s Golden Gala holiday event; and SAHA’s new Homebuyer Readiness Program (HRP)
to prepare first-time homebuyers for the rewards and requirements of
owning a home; and more.
We hope you enjoy this issue of Neighbors, and that you have a
happy and healthy remainder of 2014!
SAHA residents join Lourdes Castro Ramírez at
the October Coffee with the CEO.
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NEIGHBORS
FALL 2014
Lourdes Castro Ramírez
President & CEO
SAHA SAN ANTONIO
HOUSING AUTHORITY
Opportunity Lives Here
Neighbors
San Antonio Housing Authority
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Morris Stribling, DPM – Chair
Charles Muñoz – Vice-Chair
Karina Cantu
Ramiro Cavazos
Yolanda Hotman
Stella Burciaga-Molina
Lisa Rodriguez
President and CEO
Lourdes Castro Ramírez
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
Melanie Villalobos
Policy, Planning and Public Affairs Officer
Richard Milk
Policy and Planning Director
Angela McClendon Johnson
Communications Manager
Lilia Swayne
Webmaster/Graphic Artist
Sara Eaves
GIS & MTW Program Analyst
Elvira Enriquez
Public Affairs Coordinator
Joanne Saucedo
Intergovernmental Coordinator
Rosario Plascencia
Management Analyst for
Choice Neighborhood
Neighbors is produced by the San Antonio
Housing Authority’s Public Affairs Department
three times a year for the participants in our
public housing and voucher assistance programs.
Deadline for submission of story ideas, articles,
photos and artwork is 30 days prior to publishing.
Submission does not guarantee publication. To
suggest story ideas for Neighbors, please contact
the Public Affairs Department at (210) 477-6792.
Cover: Wheatley Courts residents join SAHA staff and partners
in celebrating the demolition of Wheatley, marking the start of
construction on the $100 million neighborhood redevelopment.
Join us for 17th
Annual Golden Gala
Public housing senior and disabled residents: Please mark your
calendars for the much-anticipated yearly holiday celebration, the 17th
Annual Golden Gala, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at the Henry B. Gonzalez
Convention Center. Transportation will be provided for attendees to enjoy
music, food and holiday fun. More information will be provided by your
property managers.
VIA Provides Extended
Service to the Eastside
VIA Metropolitan Transit, a partner in the EastPoint Choice
Neighborhood Initiative, is contributing to the revitalization efforts on the
Eastside by updating the 515 bus route.
The Sept. 1 extension of route 515 now connects several Eastside
institutions, including St. Philip’s College, McCreless Mall, Wheatley Courts
and Fort Sam Houston. In addition, transfers to six other VIA mainline routes
are available, extending public transportation services even further to more
than 5,000 households, including residents living within the Eastside Promise
and the Wheatley Choice Neighborhoods within EastPoint.
For more information on route 515, visit www.viainfo.net. For help
planning trips in the area, call 210-362-2020.
Gas Safety Tips
Natural gas is used by more than 50 percent of American households
as their main heating source. It is clean, efficient and relatively safe. In its
natural state, it has no taste, is odorless and non-toxic.
However, because there are potential dangers associated with natural
gas usage, it’s important for you and your family to understand natural gas
and related safety information. If you smell gas:
xx Do not attempt to locate gas leaks
xx Do not remain in the building when there is a strong gas odor. From
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
a safe distance, alert property management or maintenance at 210477-6800
Do not turn on or off any battery-powered, rechargeable or electrical
device, including phones, radios, TVs, computers or any device that
could create a spark
Do not turn on or turn off any lights or electrical switches or unplug
appliances
Do not use telephones of any type, including cordless, cell or landline
Do not use elevators
Do not position or operate vehicles and power equipment where
leaking gas may be present
Do not smoke or use lighters, matches or other open flames
NEIGHBORS
FALL 2014
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SAHA Offices To Close At Year End
SAHA offices are closing at the end
of the year, from Wednesday, December
24, 2014, and reopening on Friday,
January 2, 2015.
Because the Public Housing
and Non-Profit Housing departments
provide critical, time-sensitive services
to residents, limited staff will be available
for emergencies. Staff will be on-call
or work designated hours to ensure
continued customer service. Emergency
work orders can be reported 24/7 by
calling 210-477-6800.
A small group of administrative staff
will work each non-holiday weekday
from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide immediate assistance on matters, such as an emergency transfer due to a safety or security
issue. You can reach them at 210-477-6290.
December 2014
January 2015
Exercise Your Right To Vote!
SAHA actively encourages housing program participants to let their voices be heard by exercising their right to vote.
On November 4, 2014, San Antonio and the surrounding areas will hold
elections for a variety of positions, including Congressional offices, Governor,
Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Legislators, Bexar County
District Attorney, County Judge, County Commissioners, Judges,
select school district boards, select area city council positions, and
several propositions.
Only 7% of the voting population in San Antonio traditionally
votes in municipal elections. The SA2020 initiative has identified
Civic Engagement as a major priority, including moving the needle
on voter turnout, with a goal of increasing voter turnout to 15.07%.
The deadline to register to vote in the November election was
October 6, 2014. Early voting begins on Monday, October 20 and
runs through Friday, October 31.
SAHA urges you to exercise your right to vote. If you have
any questions about the upcoming election, you can contact the
Bexar County Elections Department, at 210-335-VOTE, or call SAHA’s
Ombudsman, Vanessa Chavez, at 210-477-6119.
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E
Congressman Doggett, Mayor Taylor, Councilman Toney, Wheatley Courts resident LaShawn Roberson, HUD Public Housing
Director David Pohler, SAHA President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramírez and Choice Director Beverly Watts-Davis celebrate the
Wheatley Demolition on Sept 25, 2014.
O
Celebration Marks Start of Wheatley
Neighborhood Revitalization
n Thursday, September 25, 2014, San Antonio’s
Eastside celebrated the start of demolition of the former
public housing site of Wheatley Courts, in advance of
the new construction of 417 new mixed-income apartments
as part of the creation of a community-planned neighborhood
of “choice” -- a safe, healthy, vibrant, thriving community for
children, families and seniors.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Mayor Ivy Taylor, Councilman
Keith Toney, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Bexar County
Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, and other community leaders
joined SAHA President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramírez,
and McCormack Baron Salazar and Franklin Construction
representatives for the event.
“The kickoff of the demolition and construction activities
on the Wheatley site is definitely cause for celebration for the
Eastside,” said Castro Ramírez. “Eastside residents have been
working together with us to plan this redevelopment for more
than three years now, and we’re all very excited that the work
on this new housing for the Choice Neighborhood Initiative is
now underway.”
“This development represents an unprecedented level of
public-private collaboration and investment on the Eastside,”
said Mayor Ivy Taylor. “I’m happy that the demolition and housing
construction is getting started, as community members will be
able to start seeing the results of their planning and vision.”
The new housing will be constructed in three phases. The
first phase will feature 220 units for families, with completion
planned for December 2016; the second phase includes 80
apartments for seniors, with completion scheduled for April
2017; and the third and final phase has 117 units, and is
scheduled to be complete in December 2017.
The funding for the Wheatley redevelopment will come
from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), the City of San Antonio, the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), SAHA, conventional
financing, and investor equity.
The housing developer for Wheatley is McCormack Baron
Salazar, Inc. When all phases of redevelopment are complete,
the mixed-income community will feature modern, sustainable
and energy-efficient apartments and townhomes for families
and seniors.
The new mixed-income development will feature 88 units
for families earning 30 percent of area median income (AMI)
(public housing and project-based vouchers); 210 units for
families earning up to 60 percent of AMI; and 119 market rate
units.
NEIGHBORS
FALL 2014
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2014 Education Investment Foundation scholarship recipients.
Event Encourages Higher Education
M
ore than 900 students, parents and SAHA partners attended the second annual Education Investment Foundation’s (EIF)
Education Summit on July 26, 2014. The event offered workshops, exhibits and resources for college planning and adult
education services.
Additionally, the EIF presented 280 R.E.A.C.H. (Rewarding Education Achievement, Cultivating Hope) Awards to SAHA students
for achieving perfect attendance and/or being on the A-B honor roll, and 40 youth received college scholarships.
The event was renamed the William “Bill” Sinkin Education Summit to remember and honor the legacy of Sinkin, a longtime
advocate for the less fortunate and those in need. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff led the youth in a go-to-college pledge, and
Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson shared some inspiring words with the students.
Thanks to the following for their support of the event: the Bill Sinkin family; SAHA’s Board of Commissioners; the Association
of Corporate Counsel; Frost Bank; Hixon Properties; Terracon Consulting Engineers; Half-Price Books; Hawkins, Delafield & Wood
LLP; Murphy’s Insulation; Strasburger Attorneys at Law; San Antonio Food Bank and VIA Metropolitan Transit.
A very special thanks to the members of the EIF Advisory Committee: Allan Smith, George Galindo, Miguel A Elizondo,
Sammy Nieto, Alva-Alicia Cardenas, Ashley Diaz, Fred Williams, Reba Malone, and Hilda B Bustos.
CPS Mobile Unit Educates Customers
CPS is proactively providing community outreach to serve its
customers in a new way – through its recently launched Customer
Response Unit (CRU).
The CRU is a team of employees who go out into the community
in uniquely designed, easily recognizable CPS uniforms and electric
cars, to: increase community awareness of and enrollment in
assistance programs; educate customers about energy efficiency
and safety; and work directly with customers’ unique needs.
The CRU team offers enhanced customer service by resolving
situations through a case management approach and providing
face-to-face interactions to address complex issues.
Currently, the team consists of six employees, which will
increase as the program expands to serve more San Antonians.
CPS Energy’s customer service representatives can be reached
at 210-353-2222.
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NEIGHBORS
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New Program Equips Residents For Success
Many resources are available for those
participating in SAHA’s public housing and assisted
housing programs, and the Agency has implemented
an enhanced orientation program to engage new
residents and guide them toward available resources
and self-sufficiency.
All new residents are required to attend the Early
Engagement Program, a half-day session that provides
participants with an overview of their responsibilities
as renters and tenant’s rights, financial literacy, and
safety and security. The program is part of SAHA’s
Moving to Work (MTW) Initiative.
Participants are provided with information on:
xx
xx
xx
xx
Understanding the lease agreement
Paying rent on time
Future program participants sign in for their session of the Early
When/who to call for maintenance issues
Maintaining positive relationships with Engagement program.
management, landlords and neighbors
Sessions are held monthly at the Westside Girl Scout Leadership
xx Creating a budget
Center
(5622 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd.). The next session is Nov. 12,
xx The importance of saving money and building
2014. For more information, contact Susan Ramos-Sossaman, LMSW, at
strong credit
[email protected] or 210-477-6026.
xx Maintaining a clean, healthy and safe home
New Lobby System Improves Customer Service
In the past, landlords and program participants visiting
SAHA’s Assisted Housing Programs (AHP) Department, which
administers the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program,
had to wait in line upon their arrival, manually sign a check-in
sheet, and then wait to be notified a caseworker was ready
to assist them.
“Our lobby is heavily trafficked,” says Laura Longoria,
client services manager for SAHA. “Even though clients may
have been on time for their appointments, the process often
resulted in slowing the pace of service.”
Now, however, thanks to the implementation of a new
check-in kiosk in the AHP lobby, clients spend less than two
minutes waiting in line on average. When a client arrives in
the lobby, they can use the new kiosk system to select from
a list of options as the reason for their visit. The system then
automatically notifies the caseworker that the client is in the
lobby. The client takes the numbered ticket from the kiosk and
when the caseworker is ready, an automated voice calls the
client’s ticket number through a speaker system.
“Clients are enjoying a higher standard of efficiency,
confidentiality and overall customer service,” says Longoria.
More efficient check-in system automatically notifies staff that
their client is ready for the appointment.
SAHA received an Award of Merit from The National Association of
Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) earlier this year for
the new lobby virtual queing system. For more information, contact
Longoria at 210-477-6508 or [email protected].
NEIGHBORS
FALL 2014
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Lisa Rodriguez Joins SAHA Board
Lisa Rodriguez
“I want to continue to collaborate
with other sources, so that residents
have the tools they need to become
self-sufficient.”
Lisa Rodriguez, a former SAHA employee and commissioner, has returned to the agency
as the newest member of the SAHA Board of Commissioners.
Rodriguez is currently the AARP Associate State Director for Advocacy and Outreach in
San Antonio and El Paso, Texas.
She has focused her 15 years of financial experience on inner city communities by
identifying key development issues and working toward initiatives and programs in Austin,
San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.
Rodriguez had previously served as SAHA’s Director of Homeownership and FSS program
(1998) and as a Commissioner in 2002.
“I’ve seen a number of changes throughout SAHA and the affordable housing industry as
a whole,” says Rodriguez. “I’ve been impressed with the direction the agency has taken and
the upkeep of housing inventory, given the limited funding environment.”
Rodriguez’s passion for helping people goes beyond just providing the essential need of
housing.
SAHA welcomes Rodriguez and looks forward to her leadership and contribution to
SAHA’s vision.
Wii Bowling Keeps Seniors Active
Frank Eberhardt enjoys playing Wii bowling.
With Frankie Valli singing in the
background, OP Schnabel Apartments
resident Frank Eberhardt intently stares
at the TV screen, positions his right arm
back and swings.
“It’s a strike!” he excitedly tells his
teammates. He smiles and says, “I’ve
bowled a perfect 300 game before too.”
High fives from fellow residents quickly
follow.
This is the usual scene on a late
Tuesday afternoon at OP Schnabel, a
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NEIGHBORS
FALL 2014
SAHA community for seniors and disabled residents. Eberhardt and his teammates,
Leslie Martinez, Frederich Beadie and Rafaela Villela, gather every Tuesday and
Thursday in the community room for a friendly game of Wii bowling.
The program began last fall at several SAHA properties, including OP Schnabel,
Fair Avenue, Sun Park Lane and Villa Tranchese. SAHA partnered with WellMed to
bring the program to residents to encourage them to be more conscientious of their
health and wellness by increasing physical activity and socializing with their neighbors.
“Wii bowling is something we can do no matter what the weather,” says Martinez.
“It doesn’t matter what your disabilities; you can play and have fun. I have difficulties
with my shoulder and playing this game provides a great range of motion.”
Before beginning the program, WellMed nurses check the blood pressure and
body mass index (BMI) for
participants and monitors
them periodically. They are
also instructed on proper
use of the equipment.
SAHA received an
Award of Merit from The
National Association
of Housing and
Redevelopment Officials
(NAHRO) earlier this
year for the Wii bowling
program.
OP Schnabel’s Wii bowling team: (l-r) Rafaela Villela, Frank Eberhardt,
Frederich Beadie and Leslie Martinez.
Creating Opportunities
For Homeownership
T
oday’s lending environment has created more challenges for the typical
working family seeking to buy a home. Homebuyers must have a credit
score of 640+, savings of approximately $1,500, and a debt-to-income
ratio of less than 45 percent.
In response, SAHA has developed a Homebuyer Readiness Program
(HRP), featuring more than 12 hours of homebuyer education workshops
along with monthly financial counseling through SAHA’s key partnership with
the City of San Antonio Financial Empowerment Centers.
“At first I was overwhelmed with all the terminology and how it pertained
to my individual home-buying situation,” says Mariah Ledezma, a current
participant in the HRP. “The speakers are so informative and are really
helping me understand the process.”
Mariah decided to enter the HRP after realizing she had a little more
income, since her youngest child was now attending school and no longer
in daycare. The workshops have encouraged her to concentrate on building
her savings, pay down her debt and repair her credit.
Potential homebuyers are informed about a number of essential topics
related to homebuying, including: the impact of one’s credit score; the role
of the Realtor and lender; how to select an affordable home; how to interpret
a home inspection report; how to budget for future repairs; and much more.
For more information about SAHA’s HRP Program, please contact Mary
Jane Estrada, 210-477-6008, or [email protected].
“I was surprised to see my credit score was as good as it
was,” says Mariah. “I realized then that I can do this.”
- Mariah Ledezma
Mariah Ledezma is a Homebuyer Readiness
Program participant.
Local Artists Partner with SAHA Youth
Community leaders join in the dedication of the
Bienvenidos al Westside mural.
Through a partnership with SAHA and San Anto Cultural Arts, youth
residing in Alazan-Apache Courts, Cassiano Homes and Lincoln Heights Courts
recently unveiled five murals along Guadalupe Street (between Richter and
Colorado Streets) that depict the rich culture and pride of San Antonio’s Latino
communities.
Called the ‘Bienvenidos al Westside’ (Welcome to the Westside) Mural,
the first panel features images that represent everyday life on the Westside.
Other panels have scenes, such as abuelita’s (grandma’s) kitchen, hopscotch, a
bakery, and a malt house drive-in. The remaining panels honor sports, religion,
mariachis, and education, with the high school mascots of Edgewood and San
Antonio ISD schools.
SAHA youth painted the murals under the creative guidance of lead artist
Kaylee Diaz and San Anto artists. San Anto has served more than 200 youth in
mural-painting projects to build stronger partnerships within the school systems,
community and local government. Many of the murals have become iconic
symbols in the neighborhoods they represent.
NEIGHBORS
FALL 2014
9
Working Toward
Self-Sufficiency
L
ori is a bright young lady; a bundle of focused energy! She
is married with three young children, and her husband was
recently recognized for a “Hombre Noble” award at the
2014 SAHA Father’s Day event, after their son wrote a touching
essay about his father’s love and support.
Lori began her journey with SAHA’s Moving To Work
program, through the Resident Ambassador Empowerment
Program. As a Resident Ambassador, she honed her talents in
public speaking, jobs skills, and office professionalism.
She is thankful for all the resources available to her and
she wants to give back. “People talk about doing good things;
the people at SAHA actually go out and do those good things,”
Lori said. “You don’t get anything without giving something, and
I want to be a part of that.”
Lori has expanded her volunteer efforts with such programs
as West End Hope, an organization working to increase access
to healthcare and combat neighborhood blight on the Westside
of San Antonio. She encourages her children to volunteer and
Lori Treviño is a Family Self-Suffiency Program participant.
get involved in their community by participating in neighborhood
graffiti cleanups and other activities. She has also assisted
SAHA’s Community Development Initiatives Department with
the Early Engagement program.
Lori is a participant in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program
and she recently became a full-time Housing Assistance
Specialist for SAHA. She plans to graduate from the University
of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Families Welcomed To The Gardens
At San Juan Square
The third and final phase of the San Juan redevelopment, the
252-unit Gardens of San Juan Square, is nearing completion and
families are beginning to move in.
The revitalization of San Juan has resulted in the 2008
completion of 143-unit San Juan Square I and the 144-unit San
Juan Square II in 2010. This December, The Gardens at San Juan
Square will complete the $63 million, 539-unit master plan on the
Westside of San Antonio.
This new community features a clubhouse and 4,200
square feet of commercial space, with 2,100 square feet at each
intersection of Zarzamora/Brady and Zarzamora/Ceralvo that
will anchor the property to provide economic development rental
spaces to the neighborhood.
The project also includes 12 live/work units rented to families
at 60% of area median income (AMI). The new site design will
promote walkability in the neighborhood, with its green spaces,
walking trails and plaza connecting the adjacent neighborhoods.
The new development has benefitted from SAHA’s partnership
with the San Antonio Independent School District and local schools.
This partnership will facilitate the smooth transition of families with
children into the neighborhood and schools.
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NEIGHBORS
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The Gardens of San Juan Square will be completed by
December 2014.
The funding for The Gardens at San Juan Square is
from sources including the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD), City of San Antonio HOME
funds, Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs (TDHCA) tax credits, tax exempt bonds, and SAHA
Replacement Housing Factor funds.