GAHRA Winter - Georgia Association of Housing and ...

Around the State
te
Acwor
orth
The Acworth Housing Authority children, up to age
12 participated in the “Shop with a Hero” program compliments
of the JOY Foundation of Georgia. Each child
was allowed to spend $100.00 at Kohl’s Department Store
on Saturday before Christmas.
Shown are resident, Kendall Chewning, purchasing
items at Kohl’s along with his Hero, Lt. David Roskin of
the Acworth Police Department, and Angela Papaleoni
from the JOY Foundation of Georgia.
College e Par
ark
Rap superstar Ludacris and the Ludacris Foundation
spread holiday cheer to several residents of the College
Park Housing Authority giving turkey dinners and
joining others for dinner at the Brady gym.
Five College Park Youth Coalition members were
noted finalists of the Ludacris Foundation’s Principles of
Success Essay contest. These finalists received gift certificates
and CD players. The foundation also gave DVD
players to five lucky families. Thanks to Luda and his
crew!
Albany
The Albany Housing Authority recently held Dedication
Services for Seay Village (North), located in the 300 block of
West Mercer Avenue. The new development contains 30 units.
This is the third development of four that are in replacement
of the 140 units of Washington Homes that were destroyed
by the Flood of 1994. There are
one and two bedrooms apartments;
each one comes
equipped with central heating
and air units, ranges and refrigerators,
and washer/dryer
connections.
The development was
named in honor of the late Mr.
Howard Seay, who served as a
volunteer AHA Commissioner for over 27 years.
Attendance was excellent. The Honorable Mayor Willie
Adams, Congressman Sanford Bishop, Dougherty County
Commissioner Jeff Sinyard, AHA Board Members, AHA Resident
Advisory Board Members, members of the Albany Police
Department, Chamber of Commerce Members, and residents
were all present on this memorable day. Special guest
was Ms. Kaye Seay, daughter of the late Mr. Howard Seay
and Ms. T. Watson.
Warner Robins
The Youth Entrepreneurship Program is designed
to strengthen and provide youth with a variety of selfmarketing
skills
that will prepare
them to engage future
social and economical
challenges.
The program
is designed
for parents and
children with lowincome
and limited
resources to help
them build good
parent-child relations
through
strengthening the
family unit. There
are 15 active participants that actually participate on a
regular basis from the Warner Robins Housing Authority.
The program is conducted by Mr. Woodie Hughes, 4-
H and Youth Development Specialist from Fort Valley
State University’s Cooperative Extension Program. The
program is scheduled for eight weeks. When completed,
the students will have learned how to: Develop their
own business, positively communicate with future clientele,
and market their own business, finance their
business, set and achieve goals to enhance their sense
of empowerment and self-sufficiency, cooperate and collaborate
with people. The overall purpose of this program
is for low-income youth to enhance decision-making
skills, prevent teen pregnancies and encourage a
development of positive self-esteem.
G
A
H
R
A
Gazette
The Official Publica
lication of the Georgia
Association of Housing and
Rede
edevelopment elopment Authorities, , Inc.
Winter 2005
Augusta Issues Capital Prog
ogram am Reven
enue ue Bonds
Four Proper
operties to Benefit it with almost $20,000,000 in New w Capital
(Augusta, Georgia December 8, 2004) The Housing Authority of the City of Augusta, Georgia was the first
housing authority in the state to issue bonds to finance capital construction and renovation projects. The Authority
issued $19,990,000 of Capital Program Revenue Bonds, Series 2004. The funds will be used for the
renovation and modernization of the following high-rise buildings for the elderly which are owned by the Authority:
Peabody Apartments, Ervin Towers, Hal Powell Apartments and M. M. Scott Apartments.
The Authority will use a combination of HUD-allocated capital funds and proceeds from the bond sale to
finance the redesign of the existing properties. Jacob Oglesby, Executive Director of the Authority, said that this
form of finance was a perfect fit for the Authority and its goals. “We were able to accelerate the infusion of capital
into the Authority, utilize money from Wall Street, and do it all on an extremely cost effective basis”. The parties
that truly benefit are the residents. “This bond sale will allow us to provide for a comprehensive renovation plan,
which will directly improve the quality of housing here in Augusta and improve the quality of life for many of our
residents.”
The bonds will provide capital for these specific renovations but not at the expense of any of the other
properties. Oglesby said, “we undertook an extensive process to see where we should spend the bond proceeds,
and made sure none of the Authority’s properties would be neglected.”
Although this bond issue was a first in Georgia, it was not the first in the industry. This form of financing
is modeled after similar transactions undertaken by both large and small housing authorities nationally. When
asked about the sale process, Jeffrey Cohen a Senior
Vice President of First Albany Capital said, “a public
sale of highly rated bonds (the bonds were rated AA by
Standard and Poors) provides for a very low cost of capital
to public housing authorities. Mutual funds, insurance
companies, bank trust departments, retail and
other types of institutional investors bought the bonds,
thus increasing demand and lowering the cost to Augusta.”
He added, “The Authority’s bonds were well understood
by the market, highly rated and demand was
great. This product is a great tool for all types of public
housing authorities. Augusta did a great job working
with HUD, the attorneys and First Albany.”

Around the State
te
Northeast Georgia
Ocilla
The Ocilla Housing Authority recently formed an
all Girls Community Performance Choir. The group consists
of girls ranging from age 8 to 18. They are involved
with singing, dance and theatrical performances. In its
community outreach efforts, the Authority has developed
a collaborative partnership with Albany State University
and Dr. Wendy Coleman. Dr. Coleman, a Professor
of Music and Drama, is a key individual in developing,
implementing and orchestrating activities for the program.
Their first performance is scheduled for February
19, 2005. Funding is being provided, in part by the ABAC
Arts Connection through its Grassroots Art Program and
the State of Georgia's Arts Council.
Tifton
The Tifton Housing Authority Abstinence program
participants traveled to the historic city of Savannah,
GA. Teens ages 15-18 visited Savannah State
University and Skidaway Island. They toured the campus
where they were exposed to the “adventures” of
university life. They also visited the UGA Aquarium
and walked the nature trail on Skidaway Island. The
program is funded by a grant awarded by the Children
and Youth Coordinating Council that seeks to
reduce the number of unwed mothers, the pregnancy
rate among teenagers, the poverty rate, sexually transmitted
diseases, the school dropout rate and other
negative factors resulting from premarital sex.
Cedartown
The Cedartown Housing Authority recently sent several residents
and staff to the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment
Authorities’ Resident Advisory Board training. The training was
held in Augusta, GA on October 29-31, 2004. The purpose of the
RAB is to provide the Board of Commissioners and staff of the
Housing Authority with input regarding various policies, operational
approaches, capital improvements, supportive services, and other
activities to ensure that programs fulfill the Authority’s mission
while meeting the needs of its clients. Participants gained knowledge
of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s rules and
regulations and now have a better understanding of what is required
of each public housing authority.
The 2004 Northeast Georgia Housing Authority Red Ribbon Block
Party was held on Saturday, October 23, 2004 in conjunction with
the National Red Ribbon Week drug awareness campaign.
Approximately 225 guests enjoyed the program which also included
a performance by the Diamond Dollz step team, a magic show and
lunch. Activities included karaoke, face painting, bounce house,
basketball and a bubble station. Also on hand were the National
Guard’s humvee, big man balloon, weapon display, fire trucks, law
enforcement vehicles, an 18 wheeler and the Multi Agency Narcotics
Task Force canine unit. Residents received door prizes and goody
bags.
Steven B. Nesmith, Asst. Secretary for Congressional and
Intergovernmental Relations from the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development located in Washington, D.C.,
presented an inspiring message for those who attended the block
party at the Northeast Georgia Housing Authority. He said that as
long as you have two things, faith and hope, you can achieve your
goals and rise above any circumstances. He stated that the future is
bright with promise if you choose a lifestyle that is free of drugs
and alcohol.
GAHRA Spring Confer
erence
ence
May 15 - 18
Macon, GA
Carrollton
Social Service employees of the Carrollton Housing
Authority recently attended Instructor Training
through the Life Skills
Training Program. This program teaches students
how to make correct decisions,
stand up
against negative peer
pressure, and have a
positive self-esteem.
These Instructors are
now certified to teach
this program to youth.
Carrollton
For approximately 15 years, Dr. Fred Richards
has been Santa to the Elderly/Disabled residents of
the Carrollton Housing Authority. The residents always
look forward to visiting with Santa and telling
him about
things that
have happened
in the past
year. Santa
sings and
dances with
the attendees
and always
adds an exciting
element to
the party.
Carrollton Housing Authority would like to thank
Dr. Fred Richards for his dedication to the Elderly/
Disabled residents.
Northeast Georgia
gia
Going back to school should be an exciting time for
children. However, each year less fortunate children face
ridicule by other students and are made to feel like they
don’t fit in because of their clothing. The Northeast Georgia
Housing Authority, Stephens County Department of
Family and Children Services, Wal-mart and Belk’s formed
a partnership to help these children go back to school in
style.
Back to School displays were set up at the entrances
of Wal-mart and Belk’s with a card with each child’s code
number, age, sex and sizes along with a list of needed school
supplies. Customers then took a card and shopped for the
students and the selections were turned into a sales associate.
The students were presented with their gifts at a Back
to School celebration which was sponsored by the First
Presbyterian Church of Toccoa. The guest speaker was the
principal of the Stephens County Middle School, Brenda
Kelley. She shared some of her school experiences and offered
practical advice to the students. Entertainment included
several dramas by the H2O Living Water Youth
Drama Team.