2014 Annual Report

Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority Where people matter every day

2014 ANNUAL REPORT Where people matter every day.

Executive Commentary Letter From the Executive Director Happy New Year to the citizens of Hopewell.

I look forward to this year with great expectancy. My executive level staff has laid out a plan to further enhance the work that we accomplished in 2014.

I continue to be excited and assured at the manner in which my staff adjusts to the various changes that they face in our business. They are truly mission driven. Our vision remains to improve the quality of housing stock in the city of Hopewell and beyond into the Tri-Cities. This past year we took a major step to change the landscape by partnering with Community Housing Partners to redevelop Langston Park into the Summit at Hopewell apartments, the newest housing community in Hopewell. We continue to improve our services to our residents with grant funding sought after and received by our Resident Services Department. Equally important is the leveraging of services with the over 30 partnerships developed to assist our residents.

The Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher staffs have remained focused on their performance indicators and consistently met or exceed them. The 2013 Audit which was reported in 2014 was completed without any deficiencies or need for corrections in financial management of the agency. Meeting and exceeding standards translate into the provision of quality service and improved quality of life for our residents.

The freedom to operate and the assurance upon which we act are due to the culture nurtured by our excellent Board of Commissioners. Many thanks for their tireless efforts to effectively govern this authority.

Thank you to all those stakeholders who have helped to move this agency a little further into our future. I really appreciate you and I anticipate an even deeper and stronger reliance on your expertise.

Sincerely, Steven A. Benham Steven A. Benham, Sr. Executive Director.

The Summit at Hopewell Mixed Income Housing

The Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority (HRHA) became the first Housing Authority in Virginia to break ground on a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) project on Friday, July 25. HRHA and its development partners celebrated the official groundbreaking for Langston Park Apartments as the first step toward revitalizing the neighborhood.

Built in 1962 as a public housing development, the Langston Park Apartment complex consists of 30 units in sixteen two-story buildings. Once construction is completed, Langston Park will have 56 units in eight two-story buildings.

Steven Benham, Executive Director, HRHA, said “Langston Park will be the newest and best designed in Hopewell.”

The new Langston Park will be “a community with energy efficient homes, lots of green space, a new community center and playground allowing neighbors to enjoy their community,” added Carrie S. Schmidt, U.S. Department and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Richmond Field Office Director.

Schmidt noted that, RAD is a key component of HUD’s affordable rental housing preservation strategy. It helps communities attract investments that will enable them to convert housing developments, such as Langston Park, into project-based rental assistance developments with more income levels and amenities than before.

The RAD award has helped Hopewell to attract new investment into the City. Investors and partners in the Langston Park project include the Low-Income Housing tax Credit program, HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds, Virginia Housing Trust funds, private bank financing, and a strong development partner, Community Housing Partners.

Linwood Crenshaw, Chairman of the Board of Directors for HRHA, noted that there were obstacles that stood before HRHA, and with “community support, funds, space, and outstanding partners, HRHA is determined to stay focused and to get this done.”

“It’s a wonderful day for Hopewell, we’re excited. We in Hopewell are on the move, and we see progress,” said Crenshaw.

In

creased Youth Programming

Hopewell Explorers A DIFFERENT VIEW The Hopewell Police Explorers (HPE) is a program that promotes character building and citizenship training for young adults ages 14-21 through exposure to the duties of a career in law enforcement. The program provides an opportunity to learn police procedures as well as participate in community service. HPE hosts monthly events on HRHA properties to help build the relationship between police and young adults.

Each event consists of a fun physical activity for all ages. HRHA hopes that residents will gain a more positive respect for police officials and that young adults interested in this career field will have an opportunity to explore the nature of work.

Hopewell Community Day STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS In May HRHA partnered with the Richmond Attorney General’s Office, Hopewell Police Department and the Hopewell Department of Parks and Recreation to host Hopewell’s first citywide Community Day. Attorney General Mark Herring and other local and state dignitaries made opening remarks at the event. Participants then volunteered to beautify the park’s entrance with the Hopewell Explorers and police officers. The event focused on City involvement efforts regarding reducing violent crimes and combatting gang violence. Vendors from community agencies and organizations were present to distribute information to families. It is hoped that this annual celebration will connect diverse citizens from various neighborhoods to partner with local agencies and organizations on community initiatives.

Easter Eggstravaganza HAI Poster Contests

Hopewell Explorers

Story Time with Appomattox Regional Library

If I Were Mayor Essay Contest

HRHA Bike-A-Thon

Boy Scouts Family Day

Troop 491 Fundraiser

Christmas Ornament Craft Class

World Book Night

Jumpstart Celebrations

VAHCDO Scholarship Assistance

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program ASSITING 37 FAMILIES BEGIN A NEW JOURNEY The FSS program provides low-income families opportunities for education, job training and counseling so they can obtain skills necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. HRHA currently serves 33 public housing families and four HCVP program families in its FSS program.

The 2014 FSS Program achievements are as follows :        

One GED obtained.

Two currently enrolled in a GED program.

Two Associates Degrees obtained.

One seeking a Bachelor’s degree.

Four enrolled in an Associate’s Degree program.

Six program completions.

Six completed job training programs and obtained certifications.

Six established escrow accounts due to an increase in earned income.

To catch the reader's attention,

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one single quote from the story here. step.”

place an interesting sentence or

~ Lao Tzu

Improving HRHA Communities 2014 CAPITAL FUND PROJECTS HRHA in partnership with The Gordian Group began implementation of a lighting improvement project in the Thomas Rolfe community using capital fund dollars in the fall. The project was planned to be completed by the end of 2014. Improved lighting will enhance the safety of the residents residing in the Thomas Rolfe community and provide greater enjoyment overall. “We hoped that by adding the additional lighting, we will see a reduction in the crime rate. “With issues the property has had in the past, this lighting project, along with the other security projects that are being discussed, will make this a much safer property,” said Matt Rigsby, project manager.

HRHA also plans to update current security cameras to have a better view of what takes place on the property. Property improvements were reviewed in the Annual Plan meeting held in October.

Financial Reporting 2014

Fund Financial Statements The Authority is accounted for as an Enterprise Fund. Enterprise Funds utilize the full accrual basis of accounting. The government wide financial statements are reported using the economic resources measurement focus and accrual basis of accounting. Many of the programs maintained by the Authority are required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Others are seg-

regated to enhance accountability and control.

Major Factors Affecting the Statement of Net Position Current Assets remained relatively stable from 2013 to 2014 due to stabilizing operation of Authority programs and implementation of management tools. Stabilization of the Housing Choice Voucher Program eliminated significant changes in the amount of cash held by the Program as experienced in prior years. The Authority also implements Program-level budgeting in order to improve its cash management. Capital assets decreased $636,063 during the fiscal year 2014 due to a depreciation charge of $931,840 exceeding the amount of net capital asset additions of $295,777.

Debt Outstanding As of March 31, 2014, the Authority had no long-term debt outstanding.

Economic Factors Significant economic factors affecting the Authority are as follows:  Operating subsidy was provided by HUD at the 88.79% level for the grant year ended December 31, 2014.  Capital Fund Program grant was similar to prior years.  Bedbug extermination expenses were higher than budget and caused a large variance in our maintenance services expense / budget line.  Change in the capital fund guidance required that the Authority fund a maintenance shop renovation project thru operations and caused a large variance in our extraordinary maintenance expense / budget line.

Special Events 2014 Occasions to Celebrate

Valentine’s Day Dinner

Easter Eggstravangza

Hopewell Community Day

Father’s Day

Bikeathon

National Night Out

Mother’s Day

Zumba

Community Partners THANK YOU Abundant Life Christian Center Appomattox Regional Library

Briggs DWD Home Health Care CARE NET

CARES

Clearr Vission

Community College Workforce

Community Housing Partners

Dress for Success

Hopewell Dept. of Social

Hopewell Explorers

Hopewell Police Department

Services Hopewell Recreation & Parks

Hopewell-Prince George

Hopewell-Prince George Smart

Hernandez Drywall & Painting

Hidden Angels

Housing Opportunities Made

Jencare

Laos Outreach Center

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Moving Forward Agency

Pepsi

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

Richmond Office of the

Surry County Office on Youth

The Empowerment Zone

The James House

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Virginia State University

Petersburg Goodwill Employ-

Attorney General The Wicked Few

Looking Ahead Kippax Place Redevelopment On the heels of the Langston Park redevelopment comes plans to begin a total gut rehab on the Kippax Place apartments. Kippax was chosen as the second redevelopment project due to obsolete elevator and HVAC systems. HRHA was awarded RAD and tax credit funding for the next development project in the summer of 2014. The remainder of funds needed to complete the project will come from private investors. The total estimated cost to redevelop Kippax Place is between $9.5 and $9.8 million.

RAD is an essential part of the housing authority’s rental housing protection strategy. This strategy works to preserve the nation’s stock of affordable rental housing, promotes efficiency, and builds strong, stable communities.

In October, Community Housing Partners (CHP) held a meeting with the residents of Kippax to discuss the possibilities of what could take place if the building was purchased by their agency.

CHP in partnership with HRHA will continue to hold meetings with Kippax residents to keep them updated on the progress of the redevelopment. Closing on the property is anticipated in late spring of 2015. HRHA is proud to be a leader in the development of affordable housing within the City of Hopewell.

Year End Celebration Work Hard Play Harder HRHA consists of a staff of 25 dedicated employees who keep the mission of the agency at the forefront of their work.

Hard work and dedication have led to numerous accomplishments, project completions and expanded community partnerships. The agency ends each year with its annual Christmas celebration. It is a time where the staff, board of commissioners and community partners can enjoy fellowship before gearing up for another year. It is a time to celebrate the achievements that are a direct result of the team effort made by all.

Board of Commissioners Linwood A. Crenshaw, Chairman Michael L. Mahaney, Vice-Chairman Sheila V. Flowers, Commissioner Renee E. Broxie, Commissioner John H. Jones, Commissioner Mike Browder, Commissioner Rogers Henry, Commissioner

Executive Director Steven A. Benham, Sr.

Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority Where people matter every day.

350 E. Poythress Street Hopewell, VA 23860 804-458-5160

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