The Housing Insider - 2021 Summer/Fall
The Housing Insider
Message from the Executive Director/CEO
"Staying safe" remains a top priority in America as the nation continues to adjust, or at times, close normal business operations due to COVID-19. However, our doors have remained open to accepting new challenges and finding new ways to enhance services and connect with our residents. This is being accomplished in large part through increased partnerships and alliances with community organizations, area ministries, educational institutions, and our medical community, all of which offer quality-of-life enhancement services to families.
This newsletter focuses on services and activities implemented with our partners while prioritizing the health and safety of residents and employees. We also highlight expanded housing opportunities provided to residents with the award of new vouchers. In addition to the activities you will read about in this newsletter, the Housing Authority of the City of Greenville (HACG) assisted residents in obtaining resources from numerous local and state agencies that offer financial assistance to help families stay in their homes.
In looking ahead, we will continue to invest in our communities by leveraging resources to ensure residents have access to housing opportunities and essential services such as food, education, and health care.
Modernization will continue in residential communities to address immediate and long-term physical needs.
Finally, I would like to personally thank our residents, Board of Commissioners, staff, and stakeholders for their resilience and determination as we work together during these challenging times to achieve successful outcomes for all. While the COVID-19 crisis has forced all of us to adapt to the "new normal," we are committed to the belief that investments today in our human and physical infrastructure will allow us to come out better on the other side tomorrow.
Please stay connected with us through social media and our website to receive the latest updates on our programs and services as well as periodic updates on the latest guidance from healthcare professionals on preventing and mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. You can find us at www.ghanc.net.
Best regards,
Wayman A. Williams, Jr.
National Night Out Returns to HACG
The return of National Night Out (NNO) on August 3, 2021, to HACG created a great deal of excitement among staff and residents as we all anticipated the much-needed fellowship and unity that such an evening brings. As luck would have it, rain decided to dampen our festivities and we had to switch gears to "Plan B" and move the festivities indoors at Moyewood and Crystal Springs. The decision was made to reschedule events at Meadowbrook, Kearney Park, and Dubber Laney Woods. Along with Police Chief Mark Holtzman and City Manager Ann Wall, members of the Greenville Police Department were on hand to help out and enjoy some one-on-one time with residents.
The West Greenville Health Council hosted a table and gave away COVID PPEs. Although there were no slip and slides or bouncy houses, there was still the aura of anticipation and celebration surrounding the festivities as young children wandered through the halls of the Moyewood Recreation Center to see the surprises that awaited them. Much to their delight, there were backpacks, notebooks, pencils, paper, and not to mention, FOOD!
Generous Donations Help Purchase 250 Backpacks
Every year the HACG staff goes to great extremes to ensure that all school-aged children living in our communities have the supplies needed to start school, and this year was no exception. HACG staff members made donations, and for the first time, monetary donations were contributed by private individuals. Individual donations were received from Mr. Joseph Moore, owner of Eternal Legacy; Mr. Joseph Hart, UPS; and Mr. Marquis Cox, owner of Marquis Mounts.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to these gentlemen for their generous donations.
Local Church Refurbishes Hopkins Park Playground
Jarvis United Methodist Church of Greenville originally built the Hopkins Park playground in 2009. The congregants recently decided it was time to refurbish the playground, so they gathered church volunteers and completed the project on August 14, 2021. The volunteers also hosted a cookout for the residents of Hopkins Park. Lead Pastor Don Mitchell, Associate Pastor Rhonda Grant Jordan, Director of Communications, Lennie Furlough, and James Kofi Enos-Edu, District President of the NC General Commission of United Methodist Men, were responsible for the success of this event. Approximately 60 people were in attendance.
HACG's After-School Programs Partner with AmeriCorps STEM-Corps East Program
HACG's after-school programs partnered with the AmeriCorps Stem-Corps East Program through East Carolina University's College of Education. ECU STEM-Corps East is supported by a grant from the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service in the Office of the Governor and is a program of The College of Education at East Carolina University in partnership with school districts, community colleges, and community groups in eastern North Carolina. Members provide one-on-one and small group tutoring services an average of 17-20 hours per week. STEM education helps to bridge the ethnic and gender gaps sometimes found in math and science fields. Initiatives, such as this one, have been established to increase the roles of women and minorities in STEM-related fields. STEM education breaks the traditional gender roles. STEM education stresses the value of failure as a learning exercise, which will enable students to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. This allows students to build confidence and resilience, which will enable them to keep going when the going gets rough.
Megan McDonald is the second student to join us through the ECU STEM-Corps East Program to assist with both after-school partnerships. Ms. McDonald's role as a STEM volunteer is to serve as a role model for K-12 students while regularly interacting with the students to strengthen their skills in math and science and to build a pipeline for future recruitment of members and volunteers. Megan McDonald, pictured below, is one of two ECU STEM-Corps East volunteers tutoring in HACG's after-school program.
"I found out about StemCorps when I was a freshman, and it has impacted my life ever since. I enjoy helping the community that helps me and that is exactly what this organization has allowed me to do. Volunteering at the Housing Authority of the City of Greenville makes me feel like I can help out and make a difference in the youth of the community" - Megan McDonald
Summer Enrichment Camp
HACG's Summer Enrichment Camp got off to a great start on June 14, 2021, and the fun continued through July 30, 2021. A total of 26 campers took weekly trips to the Greenville City pool and field trips to various locations, including River Park North in Greenville, Sky Zone in Raleigh, the Estuarium in Washington, the Imperial Centre in Rocky Mount, and the Wood Ducks baseball game in Kinston. In addition to these great activities, the campers also participated in the Partnership for Progress Summer Reading Program and received math and science tutoring from the Carver Library/Sheppard Memorial Partnership. Pitt County School's Summer Feeding Program provided breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack to the campers.
Summer Enrichment Camp participant checking out the Technology of Sound exhibit at the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences in Rocky Mount.
Camp participant at the Imperial Centre for Arts & Sciences in Rocky Mount.
HACG Neighborhood Investments
- HACG invested over $1.4 million in modernizing University Towers, an elderly apartment complex located at 500 East Third Street.
- As a member of the North Carolina Housing Finance Community Partner Loan Pool Program, the HACG provided qualified homebuyers with up to 20% of the sales price in down payment and closing cost assistance.
- The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program was awarded a $170,000 grant.
- Partnered with VIDANT Health, West Greenville Health Council, Brody School of Medicine, and the Pitt County Health Department to provide COVID testing and vaccinations for residents of the West Greenville community.
- Collaborated with the West Greenville Health Council (WGHC) to host events and provide resources to enhance the health and quality-of-life of the public housing residents in the West Greenville community. WGHC was instrumental in providing personal protective equipment and critical information to residents during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Awarded a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Grant from the VITA Coalition of the Carolinas.
- Awarded $1.6 million in FY 2020-2021 for capital improvements for its public housing.
- Implemented public housing security improvements through camera surveillance, lease enforcement, and close cooperation with the Greenville Police Department.
- Developed and implemented a food distribution network system to provide nutritious meals to senior residents in public housing and permanent housing during the pandemic.
- Developed free Wi-Fi zones and established a partnership with Pitt County Schools and Suddenlink.
University Towers Gets New Look
HACG continues to revitalize its properties as part of our commitment to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing. The most recent property to undergo renovation was University Towers, a 60-unit complex for seniors built in 1980.
The Authority invested over $1.4 million in major improvements including the addition of storefront entrances on both sides of the building which will eliminate drafts in the winter, installation of HVAC systems in all units and parts of the common areas, kitchen renovations, and new paint and flooring in the hallways.
FSS Program Graduate Purchases Home
Congratulations to Ms. Jasmine Wilson (pictured below) for successfully completing HACG's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program and earning her escrow funds of over $9,000! Ms. Wilson recently made good use of those funds when she purchased her new home in Winterville. She is a graduate of Pitt Community College and is the mother of two beautiful children, who are certain to enjoy playing in their new backyard. Ms. Wilson is employed as a team lead with a national retail store and supervises six departments. She is also being mentored to become a team coach and hopes to manage an entire store one day. HACG has over 150 participants enrolled in the FSS program through the Housing Choice Voucher program and Public Housing. The goal of the program is for residents to increase their earnings so that they are no longer dependent on welfare or any state and federal cash assistance. An interest-bearing escrow account is established by the housing authority for each participating family. Any increases in the family's rent as a result of increased earned income during the family's participation in the program results in a credit to the family's escrow account. Once the family successfully completes the program, they may access the escrow and use it for any purpose.
Home Sweet Home!
HACG employee Joe Moore, pictured with his son Joseph, recently purchased this new home after completing HACG's FSS program. Mr. Moore enrolled in the FSS program in 2018.
FSS Success
Jacqia Topping, pictured above, recently graduated from HACG's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program and from Edgecombe Community College with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Topping continued her education this fall at East Carolina University, where she is majoring in Birth-Kindergarten Teacher Education. Ms. Topping is a single parent of one child and is employed by Vidant Medical Center. Her goal is to become a teacher in the Pitt County School District.
Vashtee Garrett, pictured above, has participated in the public housing FSS program since February 2021 with the goal of owning her own home. In this short period of time, with the assistance of Kim White, FSS Coordinator/Housing Counselor, she has already prequalified for a home mortgage loan. Ms. Garrett has been employed with the Pitt County School System for fourteen years.
HACG Hosts On-Site COVID Vaccination Clinic
The Housing Authority of the City of Greenville partnered with ECU Physicians and the Brody School of Medicine to provide Moderna vaccinations to HACG residents, staff, and the Greenville community. The vaccinations were administered on-site at the Authority on April 2, 2021, and April 29, 2021. Pictured above, left to right, are ECU staff members who participated in the event; Lovie Powers, Phyllis Worthington, Barbara Williamson, Andrea Wagner, and Nakeydia Bryant. Councilwoman Monica Daniels hosted the "Road to Success Family Fun Day and Community Health Event" on August 14th at the Meadowbrook Community. Pictured below is a member of the VIDANT Health Team administering a COVID vaccination to a Meadowbrook resident.
Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccination
COVID-19 Vaccines are Effective:
- They can keep you from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
- COVID-19 vaccines also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
- Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you.
Delta Variant:
The Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the virus that causes COVID-19. It might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated people.
- Vaccines continue to reduce a person's risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19, including this variant.
- Vaccines continue to be highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death, including against this variant.
- Fully vaccinated people with breakthrough infections from this variant appear to be infectious for a shorter period.
- Get vaccinated and wear masks indoors in public spaces to reduce the spread of this variant.
Once you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing more:
- After you are fully vaccinated, you can resume many activities you did before the pandemic.
- CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
The Housing Authority of the City of Greenville partnered with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the 14th year to assist individuals and families with filing their 2020 tax returns. Although volunteers at the Authority have been helping people file their taxes for 14 years, the 2020 filing season proved to be somewhat challenging amidst the COVID pandemic. In previous years, tax filers would schedule an appointment with one of our volunteers and interact face-to-face while the return was being completed. This year, it was decided to utilize a drop-off procedure where taxpayers could drop off their information on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, as well as Saturday mornings, and then receive a notification when the return was completed. The site coordinator, Lesia Hagan, also took appointments during office hours to assist senior clients who were unable to get out in the evenings. However, the new drop-off procedure created an additional challenge due to the amount of time the volunteers had to spend on the phone gathering information and doing the quality review of the return. This procedure continued through the extended filing season that ended on May 17, 2021.
This tax season was, by far, the busiest and most challenging that HACG volunteers have experienced, but with their hard work and dedication, we had the most successful tax season yet, with 543 2020 tax returns completed and 69 returns completed for the years 2016-2019.
Know It, Control It
The HACG is partnering with Pitt Partners for Health and Vidant Medical Center to offer a blood pressure management program, "Know It, Control It," to HACG residents. The program is designed to help people self-monitor their blood pressure and make healthy lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure. The goals of the program include tracking blood pressure readings over a four-month period and learning healthy lifestyle habits. Many of the sessions will be centered around health education focusing on lifestyle strategies to help participants control their blood pressure. An orientation was held, and Pitt Partners for Health conducted pre-screenings that included weight, height, BMI, sugar, cholesterol, and initial blood pressure reading.
New Vouchers Help Families Access Opportunities
In FY 2020-2021, the Housing Authority of the City of Greenville (HACG) received a total award of 115 vouchers representing a 15% increase in its mobility voucher programs. It has boosted the HACG's ability to serve nearly 200 additional families.
The voucher program is our nation's primary vehicle to help families afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
The HACG was awarded vouchers in the following NEW housing program areas:
- Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative Program
- Mainstream Voucher Program
- Emergency Housing Voucher Program
- HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program
Foster Youth to Independence (FYI)
Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) is an initiative of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that allows public housing authorities to request housing choice vouchers for up to 36 months to serve youth under the age of 25 who have a history of child welfare involvement. The initiative aims to help communities address gaps in the availability of Family Unification Vouchers (FUP) for youth across the country, contribute to the federal goal of preventing and ending youth homelessness and set youth on a path to self-sufficiency by providing a suite of supportive services for the duration of the youth's 36 months of assistance in the Foster Youth to Independence program. HACG was awarded 20 FYI vouchers and has obtained partnership agreements with the Pitt County Department of Social Services, Pitt County Board of Commissioners, Greenville Housing Development Corporation, Regional Committee 12 of the Balance of State Continuum of Care, Churches Outreach Network, and East Carolina University. The HACG's ultimate goal is to construct 20 one and two-bedroom apartments with site amenities to include an onsite management/computer/business center with space available for kitchen, office, and meeting rooms that will serve as a one-stop shop for community and support services, and case management for youth who have aged out of foster care.
Emergency Housing Vouchers
HACG was awarded funds from the American Rescue Plan for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The EHV program gives Greenville significant resources to assist homeless individuals and families or families at risk of homelessness, fleeing, or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The EHV program will help individuals and families find housing and remain in stable housing long-term.
Mainstream Vouchers
The Mainstream Voucher program is designed to assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. All mainstream vouchers serve households that include a non-elderly person(s) with disabilities, defined as any family that consists of a person with disabilities who is at least 18 years old and not yet 62 years old.
HUD-VASH Vouchers
The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by the local Veterans Affairs Office. In an effort to end veteran homelessness in the Greenville and Pitt County area, the Housing Authority of the City of Greenville applied for and was awarded an additional 21 vouchers to provide permanent homes to veterans experiencing homelessness.
HACG's HUD-VASH Program Helps Veterans Fight Homelessness
HACG issues housing vouchers through the HUD-VASH program to homeless veterans identified by referral from the Veterans Administration Medical Center who are in need of permanent housing. Before entering the HUD-VASH program, some of these veterans live in shelters, on the street, or in a place not meant for human habitation.
HUD-VASH establishes a foundation where veterans can also pursue education, employment, behavioral health resources, counseling, and other supportive services. HUD-VASH is a driving force to house displaced veterans and their families using the Housing First Model. This concept promotes a triage approach in which shelter is the primary focus. Other barriers are addressed in the coming days and weeks after the veteran is housed.
Education and financial resources are a huge part of becoming self-sufficient. Three of HACG's HUD-VASH participants have graduated from college while participating in the program, and one participant will graduate in December 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Wellness from East Carolina University. An additional six participants are currently enrolled in college. HACG offers internship opportunities to veterans in the pursuit of their degrees.
The VA awarded some HUD-VASH participants service-connected disability, which addresses financial stability and provides compensation for injury during service. Also, a former HUD-VASH participant is currently employed with the VA, helping veterans in need. The dedication to service continues.
On November 10, 2021, HACG hosted a Veterans Day event at "Honor Ridge," which is home to 22 former homeless veterans who participate in the HUD-VASH program.
Senator Don Davis spoke to the crowd at the Honor Ridge Veterans event. Gwendolyn Greene, HACG's Board Chairperson, expressed her appreciation to all of the veterans in attendance.
Collaborations Lead to Affordable Housing
The Housing Authority of the City of Greenville has taken another significant step towards achieving its mission of providing affordable housing by forming new partnerships. These new partnerships will make 280 affordable units in the Arlington Trace and Glendale Court Communities available to the residents of the City of Greenville. The HACG provided support and tax-exempt bonds for long-term below-market financing for the construction and rehabilitation of two affordable rental housing communities in the City of Greenville. The HACG issued tax-exempt bonds to finance Arlington Trace Apartments in concert with the Taft Mills Group. The new construction of 180 affordable housing units is eligible for a 4% federal tax credit. The Arlington Trace Apartment complex is geared toward residents earning 60% or less of Pitt County's Area Median Income. Arlington Trace will be located at the intersection of Dickinson Avenue and Arlington Boulevard within close proximity of a grocery store, restaurants, and several retailers. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2022, with a projected completion date of Fall 2023.
Architectural rendering of Arlington Trace Apartments.
Glendale Court Apartments Rehabilitation
The HACG's Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the consent of the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between HACG and Burlington Housing Authority for multifamily housing revenue bonds in support of Vitus Group for the cost of acquisition and rehabilitation of 100 units in the Glendale Court Apartment community to maintain its affordability for renters.
HACG's Trunk or Treat Event
HACG partnered with the West Greenville Health Council on Friday, October 29th, to host the Annual Trunk or Treat event at the Moyewood Cultural & Recreation Center.
HACG Wins "Small & Mighty" Award
The Housing Authority of the City of Greenville (HACG) participated in United Way of Pitt County's "United We Can" Food Drive Competition on June 18th at Greenville's Town Commons. Seven teams competed in the event, with each team constructing sculptures made from nonperishable canned or boxed foods and other basic needs items. HACG's team used over 400 canned and boxed foods, which were donated by staff, to construct a two-family home, representing what we do through HACG/GHDC in providing affordable housing with programs and services for families.
Our CANstructed two-family home won the "Small & Mighty" Award for best sculpture constructed by a small business or organization with fewer than 99 employees. The sculpture included 62 bags of peas representing green grass around the building, 19 boxes of pasta were used to make columns on the front and back porches, 30 loaves of bread were used for the roof, 40 cans of tuna represented sidewalks, and numerous cans of a variety of items were used to construct the home. In all, 3,984 items were used to CANstruct the 7 entries, all of which were donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to assist food insecure families in Pitt County.
Hearing Impaired Residents Receive Advanced Call Captioning Telephones
HACG partnered with CaptionCall to provide hearing impaired residents with advanced call captioning at no cost to the residents. The CaptionCall phone dials numbers and receives calls just like a standard landline telephone. The difference is its large display screen, which provides near-instant captions so you can read what is being said. CaptionCall works automatically with your phone service provider, with no increase to your monthly bill. The captioning service for qualified users is paid for by the federal government through the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are excited to offer this new service to our hearing-impaired residents. CaptionCall Account Manager James Ktsanes is pictured below with a Moyewood resident at National Night Out.
Mark Your Calendar
Marine Corps Reserve - Toys for Tots
The Housing Authority of the City of Greenville is now taking registrations for Toys for Tots!
October 11th - November 23rd
Ages 0 - 12 years old
Registration forms are available at HACG's Cultural & Recreation Center
1710 W. 3rd Street, Greenville, NC 27834
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
- October 20, 2021 - Super Saving
- October 27, 2021 - Relating with Money
- November 3, 2021 - Cash Flow Planning
- November 10, 2021 - Dumping Debt
- November 17, 2021 - Buyer Beware
- November 24, 2021 - The Role of Insurance
- December 1, 2021 - Retirement & College Planning
- December 8, 2021 - Real Estate & Mortgages
- December 15, 2021 - The Great Misunderstanding
Be a part of this FREE 9-week series Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm.
For more information or to register, call 252-329-4056
Homebuyer Education Workshop - 2022 Schedule
- January 15, 2022
- February 19, 2022
- March 19, 2022
- April 23, 2022
- May 21, 2022
- June 18, 2022
- July 16, 2022
- August 20, 2022
- September 17, 2022
- October 15, 2022
- November 19, 2022
- December 17, 2022
Classes are held at 9:00 am in the HACG Training Room 1103 Broad Street Greenville, NC 27834.
For more information or to register, call 252-329-4036 or 252-329-4056
Classes are free of charge.