Annual Report 2002-2003

Charleston Housing

Welcome Home

Charleston Housing staff and Board of Commissioners are pleased to present this an-

nual report reflecting the accomplishments and positive changes that have taken place

over the past year at our agency. Charleston Housing’s 85 dedicated employees are cred-

ited with providing quality service to more than 3,500 residents throughout the year. Their

hard work resulted in Charleston Housing maintaining the High Performer Housing agency

status with a score of 98% for the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and a score

of 100% for the Section Eight Management Assessment System (SEMAP).

Through the management of Public Housing and Section 8 Programs, Charleston Housing

brings more than $17,918,273 in federal grants, rent collections and other commissions to

the local community.

Our community partners and residents have a large role in the success of our programs.

Some achievements in recent headlines include:

• For the first time in the State of West Virginia, a Section 8 participant was able to

apply their assistance toward the purchase of a home through Charleston Housing’s

Family Self Sufficiency Homeownership Program. This program was a collaborative

effort of local agencies including: West Virginia Housing Development Fund, Reli-

gious Coalition for Community Renewal (RCCR), HUD and the City of Charleston.

• The Orchard Manor Community witnessed re-growth with the addition of six new-

handicapped units and a new public safety center.

• Ten public housing developments are receiving computer labs with Internet access

and training through the Neighborhood Networks Grant awarded by the Department

of Housing & Urban Development and administered through a contract with West

Virginia State College.

Many exciting things are happening at Charleston Housing and we invite you to review

this annual report to share the highlights of the past year.

Best Regards,

Mark E. Taylor

Acting Executive Director

Our Message to the Community

Dedicated to Richard P. Cooke

Richard P. “Dick” Cooke has served as a Commissioner of

Charleston Housing since 1998. Mr. Cooke is currently the

Executive Director and CEO of the West Virginia Solid Waste

Management Board.

Mr. Cooke is a member of the West Virginia Recycling Grants

Committee; WV Division of Natural Resources;

Conservation; Education and Litter Control. Dick has 31

years in public service, twenty with the City of Charleston

and eleven with the state of West Virginia.

Mr. Cooke was awarded the honorable Jennings Randolph Award for Public

Works Excellence in March, 1987, in recognition of outstanding public works

achievements and personal dedication to the protection and enhancement of the

human environment. He was presented an award for Excellence in Public Works

Education by the American Public Works Association, WV Chapter, for out-

standing achievement as a public works educator and trainer in 1989. Mr. Cooke

has also been recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers & was given

the Public Service Award by the Women’s Club of Charleston for development of a

Community Improvement Project in 1981.

Richard Cooke received his Master of Science Degree in Safety Management from

Marshall University in 1981. He was initiated into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Soci-

ety in Education whose purpose it is to encourage high professional, intellectual,

and personal standards and to recognize outstanding contributions to education.

Mr. Cooke earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology

in addition to an Associate in Science Degree in Architectural Technology from

West Virginia State College.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners serves as the policy making body of Charleston Housing similar to the Board of Directors of a private corporation. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor, they receive no pay and are civic minded citizens who are willing to give of their time and energy to provide a decent, safe, and sanitary home and a suitable living environment for every resident.

Marie L. Prezioso, Chair Senior Vice-President of Ferris, Baker,

Watts, Inc.

Katherine L. Dooley, Vice-Chair Principal, Dooley Law Firm

Michael G. Comer Executive Officer at

United National Bank

Vernadine Crothers President of the Orchard Manor

Resident Management Corporation

Richard P. Cooke Director & CEO of the West Virginia

Solid Waste Management Board

Our Mission Charleston Housing’s mission is to provide every resident with a decent, safe, affordable place to live while linking them to programs that will assist them on their journey to self-sufficiency.

Our Programs

Charleston Housing offers two types of housing assistance. Public housing is made up of housing units located in developments owned and operated by Charleston Housing. Rental Assistance or Section 8, allows the tenant to find their own hous-ing and Charleston Housing provides subsidy to the landlord. The agency manages six family developments, four high-rises and several scattered sites on the public housing program and administers Section 8 vouchers and moderate rehabilitation units throughout Kanawha and Putnam Counties.

Who We Serve

Charleston Housing provides housing assistance for more than 3,000 low to mod-erate income families. Section 8 tenants find their own housing and pay a portion (30%) of their monthly income toward rent and utilities with Charleston Housing making up the difference. For public housing tenants, the obligation for rent is based on 30% of their adjusted monthly income.

Community Services Charleston Housing offers residents more than a home. After-school programs of-fer homework assistance and mentoring to youth. The Summer Nutrition program assures that every child is given a healthy lunch when school is not in session. The Family Self-Sufficiency, FSS, Program assists residents in creating a plan for self-sufficiency by linking them to resources to help them attain two goals: obtain employment (or better employment); become free of public assistance. The FSS Homeownership program links participants to homeownership/credit counseling and allows them to use their Section 8 voucher to support a monthly mortgage payment. The Service Coordinator coordinates enrichment activities, services and programs for the elderly and disabled in the high-rise communities. The Neighbor-hood Networks Program will provide all residents with Internet access & state of the art equipment located at a computer lab in their community.

Our Staff

Charleston Housing has 80 employees who work to provide quality service through our programs. With our Board of Commissioners, community partners and resi-dents, we will continue to work to build stronger communities and improve the quality of life for those we serve.

About Charleston Housing

Leased Housing The Leased Housing Department administers the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), designed to help low income families rent safe, decent housing on the open market in Kanawha and Putnam Counties. Families are responsible for finding their own housing and paying a portion (30%) of their monthly income toward rent and utilities. Charleston Housing makes up the difference between the cost and the family’s contribution. As of March 31, 2003, the Department managed an allotment of 1,607 tenant based vouchers and an addi-tional 81 Moderate Rehabilitation units. 100% of these units were utilized at fiscal year end and there were 1,291 applicants on the Section 8 waiting list.

Leased Housing Highlights

• The Department continued its strong performance in program operations by receiv-ing a 100% rating (high performer) on HUD’s Section Eight Management Assess-ment Program (SEMAP). Likewise, staff consistently displayed their strong cus-tomer service skills by averaging an 87% rating on shopping calls.

• 100% utilization of units allocated and dollars budgeted.

• Awarded an additional fifty Housing Choice Vouchers through HUD’s Fair Share al-

location process.

• Increased payment standards on efficiency, one and two bedroom vouchers to 105% of the Fair Market Rent in order to reduce high rent burden on assisted families. This adjustment helped to reduce the number of families paying more than 30% of their income in rent and utilities from 59% to 38%.

• Relocated the application intake and processing staff to the Family Enrichment

Center. This move has increased the program’s accessibility to low-income families and provides staff with facilities to conduct large briefing sessions. Approximately 630 families have attended orientations at the FEC and over 300 of these applicants have become program participants.

• Reorganized the Leased Housing Department along functional lines with regard to

case management services, application intake and processing, and self-sufficiency programs. The Senior Specialist position was added to improve oversight and sup-port provided to five case management specialists.

• Executed Memorandums of Understanding with the WV Department of Health and

Human Resources in Kanawha and Putnam counties to keep families united and to assist foster youth in transitioning to independent living.

• Provided free training in lead paint safe work practices to 35 Section 8 landlords.

Continued to work with the WV Housing Development Fund to promote the Mini-Mod Rehab program to assist landlords in improving rental properties.

Self Sufficiency Charleston Housing initiated a Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program in 1998, with the help of various outside service providers, attempting to help bridge the gap between the terms “low income” and “self-sufficient”. Now in its fifth year, the FSS program has proudly announced its twentieth graduate. Escrows awarded total in excess of $78,000. Over the past year alone the FSS program had significant growth and successful comple-tions with ten new participants and six successful graduates. Currently forty-seven fami-lies have accumulated an estimated $116,253 in escrow and interest and over $206,924.39 has been earned by various families since the beginning of the program in 1998.

Breaking New Ground

Wanda Blake became the first Section 8 Homeowner in West Virginia after successfully completing the Homeownership program offered to Charleston Housing’s FSS Participants. Ms. Blake, pictured right during a television interview, said, “It is a wonderful program. It is just positive all around.” Charleston Housing’s Family Self Sufficiency Homeownership Program is designed to promote and support homeownership by “first time” buyers through the use of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher program. Instead of using their Voucher assistance to support a monthly rental payment, the homeownership program will permit qualified families to achieve the dream of homeownership and still only have to pay thirty percent (30%) of their monthly-adjusted income toward their mortgage, escrow and utilities. The Homeownership program was initiated in March 2001 with Charleston Housing part-nering with Jubilee Housing of the Religious Coalition for Community Renewal (RCCR) to offer pre-assistance homeownership counseling to interested FSS families. In addition, in August 2001, Charleston Housing and the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) executed an agreement that would increase financing opportunities for families participating in the program. Since that time twenty-nine families attended counseling classes with the first to successfully take full advantage of the program being Ms. Wanda Blake who found her dream home in the fall of 2002. Ms. Blake successfully completed the counseling program in November 2001 and began the process of locating a house. Once she found her home, Charleston Housing, RCCR and the WV Housing Fund began working on the financing of her home. As part of this process the federal Home Program, through the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Commu-nity Development, was involved to reduce the overall cost of the house by twenty percent to make it more affordable for Ms. Blake. The closing occurred on February 28th, 2003. This represents the first successful Section 8 Homeownership purchase in West Virginia and is a great testimony to the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local agencies as well as private and non-profit groups helping to make homeownership possible for a low-income family in the Charleston area.

Rebuilding a Community

Charleston Housing built six new handicapped-accessible units in Orchard Manor in 2003. The agency received a HOPE VI demolition grant and removed 230 units from the development in January of 1999. These units are the first new construction since the demolition took place. There are one, two and three bedroom units available, each with its own parking pad and porch. Charleston Housing hosted an open house on January 30, 2003 at Orchard Manor to present the units to the community. Mayor Jay Gold-man; George Rodriguez, State HUD Field Office Director; Vernadine Crothers, Orchard Manor Resident Management Corporation President; and Marie Prezioso, Board Chair gave comments during the event. There are more modernization upgrades planned for the Orchard Manor development. The existing buildings will be completely upgraded on exterior and interior. These up-grades will include; new roofs & roof lines, front porches, walkways, new windows, air conditioning, new kitchens, new bathrooms, electrical and heating systems. There are four two story townhouses under construction in the community and a new mainte-nance facility. The City of Charleston has a new safety center in the Orchard Manor community that will include fire and ambulance service for the lower West Side of Charleston.

Orchard Manor had many additions in 2003. Counterclockwise from left: Three new handicapped accessible duplexes were added to the Orchard Manor community. There are six units with two each of one, two, and three bedroom units. The public safety center was also built in the Or-chard Manor community. The center will provide fire and ambulance ser-vice to the lower West side of Charleston.

Public Housing Properties

Property Number Total of Units Residents

EFF

1

2

3

4

5

6

Year Built

Littlepage Terrace 170 254 76 76 18 1939

Washington Manor 301 441 124 163 14 1939

Orchard Manor 136 226 110 20 1952

Lee Terrace 100 97 45 55 1965

Jarrett Terrace 101 97 83 17 1970

Carroll Terrace 199 201 153 44 1970

South Park Village 84 281 39 31 10 4 1970

Hillcrest Village 53 120 12 24 12 4 2 1972

Oakhurst Village 50 99 8 22 14 4 8 1972

Lippert Terrace 112 113 112 1973

Scattered Sites 32 76 12 18 2

TOTALS 1332 2005 281 448 407 135 41 20 4

Bedroom Composition

Quality Affordable Living

Littlepage Terrace 1809 Washington Street

Hillcrest Village 1000 Hillcrest Drive

Lee Terrace 1319 Lee Street Administrative Office

911 Michael Avenue

Washington Manor 211 Clark Drive Carroll Terrace

1546 Kanawha Blvd. East

Public Housing Properties

Oahhurst Village 1039 Lawndale Lane

The Switzer Center Orchard Manor

Lippert Terrace 4420 MacCorkle Avenue

Orchard Manor 900 Griffin Drive

Jarrett Terrace 824 Central Avenue

South Park Village 680 South Park Road

Operations Office 1809 Washington Street

Secretary of HUD Visits Charleston

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez visited Jarrett Terrace on September 27, 2002 during a visit to Charleston. He was accompanied by West Vir-ginia Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito. Pictured above, Martinez visited the Family Enrichment Center to an-nounce $432,000 in federal grant money for Family Self Sufficiency Programs for housing authorities throughout West Virginia. Pictured right, Secretary Martinez with Mary Green, Jarrett Terrace resident and Congresswoman Capito. Martinez took a tour of the high-rise and visited Mary Green’s home.

Professional Involvements

Charleston Housing partici-pates with other profes-sional organizations to pro-mote and support low in-come housing and social service programs. Charles-ton Housing promotes public housing properties and the Section Eight pro-gram by setting up an ex-hibit at various events. Dur-ing the past year, Charles-ton Housing participated in: the Senior Expo, pictured right; Community Housing Day at the State Capitol and at the Chamber of Com-merce Trade Show in a multi-agency booth repre-senting the Family Enrich-ment Center. Charleston Housing staff participate in several com-munity groups and the agency is a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelop-ment Officials, (NAHRO) and the South Eastern Re-gional Council (SERC) of NAHRO. Charleston Hous-ing received a NAHRO Award of Merit in 2003 for Charleston Housing High-lights, a monthly newsletter that provides a snapshot of the agency’s activities. This award recognizes out-standing achievement in housing and community de-velopment programs throughout the nation.

Charleston Housing actively participates in the West Vir-ginia Association of Housing Agencies, WVAHA, which was formed to provide professional leadership and train-ing for member housing agencies. The WVAHA also has a scholarship program that offers educational opportunities for residents, employees and their dependents. Charles-ton Housing had two scholarship recipients in 2003. To date three residents, six employee dependents and one employee have received scholarships from the associa-tion.

Pictured above from left, Joe Romagnoli, Charleston Housing resident performed during the opening session of the WVAHA workshop hosted by Charleston Hous-ing. Right: Charleston Housing had two scholarship recipients, Shannon Par-sons, Section 8 resident, received the WVAHA Jennings Randolph Academic Scholarship and Matt Lee, son of housing employee Denise Lee, was awarded the Russell Bibbee Memorial Scholarship.

Phoebe Whidby, Housing Management Aide, gives a brochure to a Senior Expo participant to promote Charleston Housing’s high-rise communities.

Charleston Housing re-ceives a PHAS score each year. PHAS was estab-lished to standardize the grading of all public hous-ing agencies. This grade card for housing, scores each agency according to various components, listed above, and then gives the agency an overall perform-ance rating. Charleston Housing continues to hold the status of high perform-ing housing agency. The Safety & Security Offi-cer works with the resi-dents and the manage-ment staff to resolve any issues and concerns in the public housing communi-ties. The Officer also works directly with local law enforcement to provide after-hours focus patrol and trainings for the resi-dents.

PHAS Indicator Score

Physical 29/30

Financial 30/30

Management 30/30

Resident 9/10

PHAS Total Score

98/100

Property Management

The Public Housing Management Depart-ment is responsible for occupancy, resi-dent applications and property manage-ment. Charleston Housing manages ten public housing com-munities: six family and four high-rises, as well as, scattered site properties with a total of 1332 apart-ments. These com-munities provide homes for more than 2000 residents. As of March 31, 2003, Charleston Housing was 100% occupied. The property manage-ment department faced many chal-lenges in 2003 with the loss of the Public Housing Drug Elimi-nation Grant. These funds were used to staff the community services department and the After-School programs. Although there has been a re-duction in staff and services, through community partner-ships Charleston Housing has managed to sustain many vital programs for the families in these com-munities.

Charleston Housing’s Report Card

Charleston Housing did re-ceive grant funding to pro-vide a Service Coordinator for elderly & disabled resi-dents in the high-rise com-munities. The Service Co-ordinator is available to assist residents and con-nect them with services. A ROSS grant was also awarded to set up com-puter labs with Internet access at each public housing site. The Neighborhood Networks program will offer train-ings, children’s program-ming, Internet access and free computer time during posted lab hours. Managers at each public housing site have set aside a day each month to meet with residents in a public forum. This gives the resi-dents an opportunity to address concerns about new policies or changes in their community. The managers also bring in guest speakers and new staff to allow the residents to get to know them. Sev-eral communities have new resident councils in their communities because of the encouragement of the manager during these meetings. The resident councils also meet with the Directors and manag-ers on a quarterly basis for a progress update.

Community Outreach

Charleston Housing staff volunteer their time to various organizations and for many causes. Over the past year, employees came together and conducted a canned food drive, donated money and time to the Ju-venile Diabetes Founda-tion and to the March of Dimes. Housing managers are pictured at right with the non-perishable items that were collected and distributed to the Salva-tion Army and the Union Mission. Charleston Housing staff & several residents partici-pated in the “Read to Me” program at Chandler Ele-mentary to encourage liter-acy among youth. Em-ployees also went to jail for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Annual Lock-Up event. The Fellowship Fishing Club run by staff volun-teers since 1995 continues to provide youth with an opportunity to be involved with nature in a whole-some activity. In addition to fishing, the young men take an annual ski trip. Residents and staff con-tinue to actively partici-pate in community activi-ties.

Several organizations were generous to Charleston Housing’s residents and programs over the past year. Owens Corning staff, pictured above, adopted a family at Oakhurst Village during the holiday season and donated beds, linens, groceries, furniture, household supplies and gifts.

Taylor Books in downtown Charleston donated over 200 books to be used in Charleston Housing’s af-ter-school programs and in the senior high-rises. Charleston Housing staff and residents appreciate the community support for the agency’s programs.

Combined Balance Sheet

ASSETS Cash Cash - restricted Accounts receivable Tenants (net) Intergovernmental Interest Other Due from other funds Prepaid expenses Materials inventory (net allowance for obsolete inventory) Investments Land, structures and equipment (net) Amount to be provided for retirement of general long-term liabilities TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES AND FUND EQUITY LIABILITIES: Accounts payable Intergovernmental payable Due to other funds Accrued salaries and expenses Deferred credits Trust and deposit liabilities Notes payable Compensated absences Other post employment benefits TOTAL LIABILITIES FUND EQUITY: Retained earnings - unreserved Investment in general fixed assets Fund balances: Designated for special projects: Section 8 Reserved for deferred charges and inventories Reserved for resident participation activities Reserved for capital projects Unreserved, undesignated TOTAL FUND EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND FUND EQUITY

March 31, 2003

GOVERNMENT FUND TYPES PROPRIETARY FUNDS SPECIAL ENTERPRISE GENERAL REVENUE FUND $ 4,898,125 $ 79,143 $ 1,388,708 - - - 45,734 - - - 517,436 - 21,423 - 3,068 14,920 - - 250,320 338,104 3,266 75,959 214 1,536 279,784 - - 2,496,235 - 557,438 - - 116,568 - - - $ 8,082,500 $ 934,897 $ 2,070,584 $ 720,823 $ 105,358 - 63,167 35,063 - 86,492 511,302 5,793 66,398 - - 12,904 23,843 1,000 - - - - - - 143,450 28,285 - 28,061 - - 1,121,295 703,851 6,793 - - 2,063,791 - - - - 231,046 - 355,743 - - 41,317 - - 242,170 - - 6,321,975 - - 6,961,205 231,046 2,063,791 $ 8,082,500 $ 934,897 $ 2,070,584

Combined Balance Sheet

FIDUCIARY FUND ACCOUNT GROUP TRUST AND GENERAL GENERAL TOTAL AGENCY FUNDS FIXED ASSETS LONG-TERM DEBT (MEMO ONLY) $ - $ - $ - $ 6,365,976 104,357 - - 104,357 - - - 45,734 - - - 517,436 - - - 24,491 - - - 14,920 11,897 - - 603,587 - - - 77,709 - - - 279,784 - - - 3,053,673 - 54,287,706 - 54,404,274 - - 1,311,461 1,311,461 $ 116,254 $ 54,287,706 $ 1,311,461 $ 66,803,402 $ - $ - - $ 826,181 - - - 98,230 - - - 603,587 - - - 66,398 - - - 37,747 116,254 - - 116,254 - - 1,024,942 1,024,942 - - - 171,735 - - 286,519 314,580 116,254 - 1,311,461 3,259,654 - - - 2,063,791 - 54,287,706 - 54,287,706 - - - 231,046 - - - 355,743 - - - 41,317 - - - 242,170 - - - 6,321,975 - 54,287,706 - 63,543,748 $ 116,254 $ 54,287,706 $ 1,311,461 $ 66,803,402

Audit Report

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Mark E. Taylor Acting Executive Director Sherry Harless Executive Assistant Ray Marsh Acting Director of Operations Michele Hatfield Marketing & Public Affairs Manager Dale Whitehair Safety & Security Officer FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Mark E. Taylor Director of Finance & Administration Lynn Cottrill Information Services Manager Denise Lee Human Resource Coordinator Connie Hardy Finance Manager Tonya Wiersma Accountant Barbara Brewer Department Secretary/Accounting Technician John Abbott Purchasing Manager Perdita-Johnson Caster Purchasing Specialist David Puckett PC/Network Specialist HOUSING MANAGEMENT Pernell McCoy Acting Director of Housing Management Regenia Davis Operations Assistant Eric Howard Amy Lewis Mike McClure Tammy Sharp

Housing Management Continued Darlene Stokes Application Coordinator Bonnie Darlene Gunter Phoebe Whidby Housing Management Aide Frances Susie Halstead Service Coordinator RENTAL ASSISTANCE Jeffrey Knight Director of Leased Housing Tammy Jones Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator Tammy Good-Knight Senior Leased Housing Specialist Patricia Bush Wendy Haddox Frances Justice Barbara Voiers Kimberly Pickens Tammy Chabot Jennifer Young Leased Housing Specialists Mary O’Conner Leased Housing Assistant Wanda Allen Clerk/Receptionist SPECIAL PROJECTS Kenny Powell Director of Special Projects Arleen Higginbotham Special Projects Department Assistant Patrick Miller Special Projects Technical Assistant Deanna Kay Casto Maintenance Data Clerk Allen W. Taylor Facilities Manager Terry Estep Materials Manager

E. Allen Taylor Hobart Taylor Paul Wright Rodney Moffat David Naylor Marshall Bailey Mark Young Steve Payne Terry Duiguid William Ranson Maintenance Specialists Mark Davis James Asbury Larry Boyce Tom Skees Robert Jordan Larry Crihfield Tom Nichols Dana Atkinson Maintenance Technician II Steve Bumpus David O’Brien Tom Kessler James Reed Steve Cyrus Franklin Ray Eric Peterson Kyle Groves Woodrow Saville Carlos Hamilton Lenox Chandler James Deal Phillip Kessinger Danny Asbury Mark Morriston Carl Guthrie Robert Higginbotham Joey McCormick Dale Jarrett Stanley Faucett Maintenance Technician I Nancy Marion Custodian II

Charleston Housing Staff