2015 Annual Report

Where people matter every day.

HRHA 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE ADEQUATE, SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING; TO ENHANCE RESIDENT'S QUALITY OF LIFE, PROMOTING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND A SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION.

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Last year moved with a surprising swiftness. We have come to expect greater degrees of success in our endeavors. This is not by happenstance. We continue to enjoy growing favor and support for the vision we have for HRHA and our role in the city.

So, what matters to us? HRHA ­ where people matter every day.

We stay focused on the importance of our work, managing housing opportunities in varied forms of affordable housing. We act to give low­income residents a place to call home. A place of simple, basic accommodation and a retreat from unaffordable options and in some cases homelessness. Even when negative influences cause unwanted attention, we remain buttressed by a strong conviction that most of our residents appreciate our efforts.

Last year marked 75 years of service to Hopewell. The agency and the housing communities and programs that exist today are the result of the actions of thoughtful men and women over many years. I applaud their vision and perseverance. Viability in any organization is due to its ability to plan for a future beyond its current stewards. This is the living legacy of HRHA. Efforts were made to create a vehicle for obtaining additional grant funding to support our resident services goals. As reflected in our mission statement, economic self­sufficiency for our residents is essential because it impacts the social fabric of our city. Current HUD funding does not support a robust resident services focus. However, agencies are encouraged to find alternative funding sources in order to provide more opportunity for our population. As a result we created a non­profit organization named “STORY”. Creating opportunity matters.

What does customer service mean? The answer to this question is as varied as the people answering the question. We are focusing on this area in a deliberate and hopefully radical way. For me customer service is a one­on­one encounter. Each encounter must be addressed with active listening and a resolve to partner with our customer in addressing their concerns. Customer service must be as critical as other performance indicators that we measure. A legacy of consistent customer service is worth creating to serve our stakeholders for our next 75 years.

Thank you to all the partners who believe like we do that there is promise in our communities.

Everyone deserves a chance to succeed or fail based on merit. It matters!

YOUTH PROGRAMS 1 Hopewell Explorers 2 Davisville Run Club 3 Kids CafĂŠ Program 4 NCWIT Technology Camp 5 Hopewell Is Alive 6 Summer Dance Camp 7 PS After School Tutoring 8 SLOT Academy Mentoring 9 ML2 After School Program 10 Boy Scouts 11 Girl Scouts 12 James House Youth Workshops

69

Be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Ghandi

FINANCE REPORT 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 segregated to enhance accountability and control.

Major Factors Affecting the Statement of Net Position Current Assets remained relatively stable from 2014 to 2015 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 Program­level budgeting in order to improve its cash management. Capital Assets decreased $833,592 during the fiscal year 2015 due to a depreciation charge of $926,266 exceeding the amount of net capital asset additions of $92,674.

Debt Outstanding As of March 31, 2015, The Authority had no long­term debt outstanding.

Economic Factors Significant economic factors affecting the Authority are as follows: • Operating subsidy was provided by HUD at the 85.36% level for the grant year ended December 31, 2015.

• Capital Fund Program grant was similar to prior years.

• Change in capital fund guidance required that the authority fund a maintenance shop renovation project phase 2 thru operations and caused a large variance in our extraordinary maintenance expense / budget line.

FSS HIGHLIGHTS The Family Self­Sufficiency (FSS) program was established by section 554 of The National Affordable Housing Act in 1990. HRHA established its FSS program in 2012 and is actively recruiting residents to contract into the program. As we do this, let’s reflect and acknowledge the 2015 accomplishments of our 38 highly motivated and determined FSS participants. These accomplishments include: • 12 Participants Gained Employment • 11 Established Escrow Accounts and Have a Combined Savings of over $16,000!

• 1 First Time Homeowner • 3 Moved into Fair Market Rental Housing • 1 GED Obtained • 3 Currently Enrolled in GED Courses • 2 Graduated College • 7 Currently Enrolled in College • 7 Participants have completed Job Training Certification Programs Congratulations to all the FSS participants!

SPECIAL EVENTS We don't remember days, we remember moments. ~ Cesare Pavese

ART MATTERS

When Maurice first came to us, we learned that he was the oldest of four children with no plans of graduating high school. His plan was to continue a tradition seen in many public housing residents of being a high school dropout.

Resident Services Specialist, Terence Barber, is pretty fanatic about all things band and was excited to learn of Maurice's interest in learning to play an instrument.

He remembers seeing Maurice carrying his trombone for the first time. “I was so excited that I slammed on brakes and backed up to speak with him. I said I didn’t know you were in band and he said yes I play trombone.” Terence also joined band in middle school and had an immediate connection with Maurice.

Terence discovered that Maurice was missing the class book and borrowing someone else’s mouthpiece for practice. As a result of these challenges, Maurice was failing the class. Terence made payment arrangements for all of his necessary class supplies and holiday concert uniform. Maurice's grade has improved and Resident Services staff attended the holiday concert.

Maurice has joined Boy Scouts, attends the after school program and Saturday mentoring sessions. He now wants to graduate high school and is working towards a band scholarship for college. Terence stepped outside of his normal job duties to ensure the success of one of HRHA’s youth residents because we believe people matter every day.

YOU ARE SIMPLY THE

BEST Virginia Mentoring Partnership

Department of Housing and Urban Development Cameron Foundation

Hopewell CDBG

Commonwealth Catholic Charities

Sports Backers

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

National Center for Women and Information Technology Virginia State University EOC Center Feed More

Boy Scouts

Girl Scouts

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Woodlawn Presbyterian Church Hopewell Is Alive

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

Black Girls Run

Salvation Army

Virginia Housing Development Authority Smart Beginnings

Student Liason Outreach Team Virginia Commission for the Arts

The James House

Board of Commissioners Michael Mahaney – Chairman Sheila Flowers – Vice­Chairman Renee Broxie – Commissioner Johnny Jones – Commissioner Rogers Henry – Commissioner Edward Henry ­ Commissioner

Executive Director Steven A. Benham

Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority 350 E. Poythress Street Hopewell, VA 23860 804­458­5160 www.hopewellrha.org Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority