Quarterly News - Grand Rapids Housing Commission

Quarterly News - Grand Rapids Housing Commission

GRAND RAPIDS HOUSING COMMISSION
Quarterly News
Volume 7, Number 2
Fall-Winter 2011/2012
Arts competition at
Mount Mercy Apartments!
Details inside!
In This Issue...
National FSS Program
Study Results Published
G.R. 9th for Growth in
Suburban Voucher Use
A Visiting Physicians professional provides blood pressure screening during a recent Resource Fair at Adams Park
Apartments. Adams Park serves disabled adults and senior citizens ages 62 and older.
Development Update
New Partnership with Pine Rest Supports
Health Services at Adams Park
Art Fest Spotlights
Resident Artists
Hurst Mechanical
Spreads Holiday Cheer
The Grand Rapids Housing Commission
(GRHC) and Network 180 have forged a
partnership with Pine Rest Christian Mental
Health Services to ensure that needed
supportive services continue to be available to
the disabled and elderly residents of Adams Park
Apartments. Pine Rest is providing two fulltime on-site staff to assist resident Network 180
clients who are coping with a mental health
or substance abuse problem that puts them at
risk for homelessness. The GRHC continues to
employ a full-time MSW-level Resident Services
Specialist who works with the general tenant
population at Adams Park and who will also
coordinate efforts with Pine Rest staff.
Adams Park Welcomes
Pine Rest Staff
The new partnership has evolved from
a collaborative effort the GRHC and
New Partnership with
City Parks & Recreation
Bewitching Fun at Café
Second Anniversary Bash
GRHC Human
Resources Update
Thank You, Interns!
4th Annual FSS Resource
Fair Highlights
Network 180 began at Adams Park in 2009.
A two‑year Community Mental Health
Block Grant funded on-site security services
and one full-time social worker who was the
liaison for tenants referred by Network 180,
communicating with each resident’s case
manager, therapist and other care providers to
ensure continuity of care.
Now that the Community Mental Health
Block Grant has been expended, the
involvement of Pine Rest ensures that our
agency will continue to effectively serve
vulnerable households at Adams Park. The
GRHC has also identified HUD resources
that will enable us to continue the security
services that are vital to the success of this
specialized housing initiative.
National FSS Program
Study Results Published
HUD recently published the results of a five-year study that
explored the features, operations, partnerships and policies
of Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) programs nationwide. The
GRHC was one of 100 public housing authorities (PHAs)
that participated in the study, which also summarizes the
outcomes of the FSS program for a sample of participants
and examines the factors that may influence a family’s ability
to successfully complete the program.
employed increased to 70 percent in 2008, fell to 55 percent
in 2009, and 60 percent of FSS participants were employed
in 2010.
GRHC FSS Program Participation and Employment Rate
400
340
280
220
Conducted between 2005-2009, the study methodology
included tracking the progress of 181 FSS program
participants from 14 PHAs, including several from the
GRHC’s program. All were families that participated in the
Section 8 program. Counseling, employment-related services
and education were the most commonly identified service
needs among participating families during the study’s first
year. Barriers to participation included the cost of child care,
lack of job skills, lack of transportation, and chronic health
problems coupled with a lack of health insurance.
The economic downturn that began in late 2007 affected
expectations and goal setting for some tracked families as
gaining or even maintaining employment became more
challenging. Some participating FSS programs shifted
the emphasis from “maintaining suitable employment” to
“seeking and maintaining employment,” also redefining what
“suitable employment” entails. The complete HUD study can
be found online at www.hud.gov/policy.
The GRHC’s FSS staff are striving to mitigate the impact of
the economic recession on program participants by working
to link them with community resources that can enhance
their employability and access to available jobs. We have
built a partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools to
offer GED preparation classes on site at our family housing
developments. We also partner with organizations such as
Michigan Works, LINC, Goodwill Industries, the Women’s
Resource Center and local employment agencies to offer FSS
families budgeting and employment resources. Additionally,
in 2009 we acquired HUD funding that enabled us to hire a
third FSS Coordinator, expanding our caseload capacity.
These efforts have encouraged relative stability within the
GRHC’s FSS program overall. The number of participants
in our FSS program has increased slightly since the
beginning of the recession. During 2007, 58 percent of FSS
participants were employed. The percentage of participants
160
100
No. of FSS Participants
Employed Participants
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
G.R. Ranked 9th for Growth
in Suburban Voucher Use
A recent Brookings Institution study that compared data
on housing voucher utilization in the nation’s 100 largest
metropolitan areas ranks Grand Rapids ninth for growth in
the use of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for suburban
rentals. The study reports that the total percentage of
vouchers used in Grand Rapids suburbs—including vouchers
administered by not only the GRHC but also Kent County
Housing Commission, Wyoming Housing Commission
and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority—
increased from 23 percent in 2000 to 34 percent in 2008.
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy
organization based in Washington, D.C.
Affordable housing advocates view the suburbanization of
housing voucher use as very positive since one of the goals
of the Section 8 program is to discourage the concentration
of poverty in any given geographic area. GRHC Director of
Program Management Holly Sturges notes that GRHC staff
specifically counsel voucher holders regarding the option to
move to neighborhoods with low poverty rates. She added
that factors such as lack of access to transportation can put
suburban housing out of reach for some families.
The GRHC’s Section 8 program served 3,116 low-income
households in 2011, including 1,558 families with children,
1,534 disabled persons and 499 seniors.
Development Update
GRHC Completes $469,000 in Capital Improvements
intercom system, rooftop
fans, needed interior/exterior
painting, needed window
replacements, community
room lighting and kitchen
upgrades, lobby furniture.
Mount Mercy Apartments,
1425 Bridge St.: Stairwell
wall repairs, gutter and
downspout repairs or
replacement; 1511 Bridge St.:
elevator improvements.
Employees of Steenwyk & Sons Excavating Contractors work on
drainage improvements at Campau Commons Apartments.
The Housing Commission
recently completed $469,000
in capital improvement
projects at our agencyowned low-income housing
developments. GRHC
staff have developed a 2012
capital budget that includes
$537,000 in additional
improvements, pending the
availability of funds.
Highlights of projects to
be undertaken at GRHC
housing developments
during 2012 include:
Campau Commons
Apartments: Exterior
trim painting, concrete
repairs, alarm system
improvements.
Creston Plaza Apartments:
Roof repairs.
Leonard Terrace
Apartments:
Heating and air
conditioning
improvements
in common
areas, entry
Hope Community Service
Center: Entry door
improvements, repair
or replace gutters and
downspouts, replace fencing
around Child Care Center,
new bathroom vanities,
countertops and faucets.
Duplex units: Replace decks
at two units, landscaping.
Ransom Tower Apartments:
New window panes
in stairwells, heating/
ventilation improvements,
replace two boilers, fire
alarm panel and fire fan
replacement, plumbing
repairs, balcony repairs,
community room
improvements.
Sheldon Apartments:
Card access reader at
south entrance, exterior
lighting and security system
improvements, boiler room
improvements, landscaping
upgrades.
For the latest GRHC
development news, please
visit our website at
www.grhousing.org.
Creston Plaza
Redevelopment
Update
The redevelopment of
Creston Plaza Apartments is
on hold indefinitely pending
the identification of needed
funding. Creston Plaza
redevelopment planning
was launched in 2009 with
a series of resident and
community input meetings.
We remain committed to
this important project and
will continue to seek the
financial resources needed
to complete it.
Mount Mercy Art Fest Spotlights Resident Artists
Pictured left: Kathy Goote points
out the fanciful sea creatures that
decorate her inspired fabric art.
Kathy earned First Prize for her
beautiful quilted wall hanging.
Below: Gerard Jean-Pierre displays
the energetic acrylic painting that
earned him a Second Prize award.
As part of the ongoing
Mount Mercy Apartments
“Art at the Mount”
enrichment program, the
GRHC sponsored an early
October “Art Fest” art
exhibit and competition in
the low-income retirement
development’s Auditorium.
Eleven talented resident
artists entered the friendly
creative competition,
sharing work representing
a wide range of media,
including needlework,
painting and drawing,
poetry, sculpture, pottery,
photography and recycled
art.
More than 80 art
enthusiasts visited Art Fest
during its one-week run
and cast votes to help their
favorite artists win a $50
cash First Prize or a $25
Second Prize award.
Congratulations to fabric
artist Kathy Goote who
won First Prize for her
quilted and embroidered
wall hanging
entitled
“Under the
Sea: A Child’s
Imagination”
and to painter
Gerard Jean-Pierre who
won Second Prize for his
lively acrylic painting of a
church.
Many thanks to the
generous anonymous donors
who provided the Art
Fest Prizes and to all who
visited the Mount Mercy
Auditorium to enjoy this
exciting and inspiring
special event.
Residents admire the photographs
and textile art of Carol Brugger
(far left) and Patricia Taylor
(second from left).
New Partnership
with Parks & Rec!
Mount Mercy’s “Art at
the Mount” initiative has
formed a new partnership
with the Grand Rapids
Parks & Recreation
Department that is
bringing a variety of fitness
classes to Mount Mercy.
For ten weeks beginning
the week of January 8,
Parks & Rec will offer
Tai Chi, “Kick & Tone”
and Ballroom Dancing
classes at Mount Mercy,
with residents receiving a
50 percent discount on class
fees. There’s also an ongoing
“Stretch & Flex” class. For
more information, visit
www.grcity.us/parksandrec.
Bewitching Fun at Café 2nd Anniversary Bash!
Senior Meals Program,
Inc., staff and GRHC staff
and residents celebrated
the second anniversary of
the Senior Meals service
at Mount Mercy’s “Café
on The Mount” with a
Halloween-themed feast
prepared by Senior Meals
Café Coordinator Krista
Aslakson and her talented
team. Mount Mercy
residents and their guests
enjoyed a feast of ghoul-ash,
mixed vegetables and cake
Clockwise from above: A resident’s grandchild
joins in the celebration; Hazel Evans reacts to
winning second place in the costume contest;
costume contest winner Nancy Ruiz rocks her
“scary zombie” costume; contest judging; cake
extraordinaire courtesy of Senior Meals!
that was so delicious it was
almost... scary!
The feast was followed
by a Halloween costume
contest featuring residents
in their holiday finery.
Congratulations to contest
winner Nancy Ruiz whose
“scary zombie” attire earned
her a $25 Meijer gift card
donated by Life EMS and
to second place winner
Hazel Evans who won a $10
Subway gift card courtesy
of a generous
tenant neighbor.
Housed in the
commercialstyle kitchen
and cafeteria of
Mount Mercy’s
west wing,
Café on
The Mount
serves lunch
each weekday,
offering great
comfort food
and great
company.
Many thanks to the resident
volunteers who have
supported the café in recent
months, including...
Mary Margaret Aldrich
Beulah Batiest
Margaret Bluitt
Mary Borden
Susanne Brown
Dorothy Brown
Richard Breckenridge
Dorothy Chrusciel
Ray Corris
Randy Dykwell
Hazel Evans
Ray Herzog
Carol Ann Hines
Mary Ann Jacokes
Mary Martinez
Karen McKinnon
John Miller
Thomas Oldfield
Gerard Jean-Pierre
Elaine Segars
Paul Tuthill
Betty Wright
GRHC Human Resources Update
Staff Promotions
Congratulations to GRHC Deputy
Executive Director Hattie Tinney who
was recently promoted to her newly created
post from her former position as Director
of Housing Management. Hattie has more
than 30 years of experience within the
affordable housing industry, and her career
includes management and administrative positions with
the GRHC and the City of Grand Rapids Community
Development Department. She has led our Housing
Management team for the past ten years and holds a Master
of Management degree from Aquinas College. In her new
role, Hattie will use her leadership and administrative skills
to oversee both the GRHC’s agency-administered housing
developments and our leased-housing programs.
Congratulations to Areli Colin who
was recently promoted to Housing
Assistant for Campau Commons
Apartments, Creston Plaza Apartments,
Sheldon Apartments and our Scattered Sites
program. Prior to her promotion, Areli was
the Receptionist at the GRHC main office.
Holly Sturges Retires
After more than 34 years of distinguished
service within the affordable housing
industry, Director of Program Management
Holly Sturges is retiring from the GRHC.
Holly began her housing career in 1977
with the City of Grand Rapids Housing
Rehab Department. In 1984 she joined
the Housing Commission to administer our agency’s
Public Housing and Section 8 programs.
Holly has been instrumental in the development of
the GRHC’s Scattered Sites, 5(h) Homeownership and
Hope Community Transitional Housing programs as well
as the conversion of Mount Mercy to low-income retirement
apartments. Under Holly’s leadership, our Section 8 program
has grown from 250 to 3,190 units. She has also represented
the GRHC in the Kent County Continuum of Care.
We thank Holly for her contributions to our agency and wish
her well as she begins an exciting new chapter in her life.
New Management
Assignments
To promote cross-training
and opportunities for
professional development,
two GRHC Asset Managers
are swapping assignments.
Toni
Coristine
now
manages
Adams Park
and
Ransom
Tower Apartments. Toni
transferred from her role as
Asset Manager for Leonard
Terrace, Mount Mercy
Apartments, and Hope
Community Transitional
Housing Program.
Former
Adams Park
and
Ransom
Tower
Apartments
Asset
Manager Jake Blakeney
now manages Leonard
Terrace, Mount Mercy and
Hope Community.
New Hires
The Housing Commission
recently welcomed two new
staff members.
Esther
McMurray
is the new
Receptionist
at our main
office.
Esther
comes to the GRHC with
more than ten years of
clerical work experience,
primarily within the court
system.
Ronald
Scott is
the new
Custodian
for Leonard
Terrace
Apartments
and our Scattered Sites
program. Ronald brings
more than ten years of
custodial work experience
to our team and comes to
the GRHC from a position
as Maintenance Technician
for the Grand Rapids
Public Library.
Thank You, Resident Services Interns!
GRHC staff and
residents are grateful
for the invaluable
assistance provided by
the fall term’s Resident
Services student interns!
Pictured left to right: Sandy Binnendyk, GVSU;
Melissa Chivis, GVSU; Brett Kelp, Cornerstone
University; Caitlin O’Neill, GVSU; Jacob VanDyke,
GVSU. Not pictured, but very much appreciated:
Autumn Bollman, GVSU; Katy Berghuis, Calvin College.
4th Annual FSS “Passport to Success” Resource Fair
The GRHC partnered with the Wyoming Housing
Commission, Kent County Housing Commission and
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) to offer the
4th Annual “Passport to Success” Resource Fair, held in
September at the GRCC Applied Technology Center.
Forty‑five organizations participated in a communitywide
event that offered information about resources ranging
from health care, transportation and child care services to
education, job training, financial management and home
ownership programs. Many vendors also offered door prizes.
Special thanks to GRCC for hosting the Resource Fair, to
The Rapid for providing free bus passes to GRHC residents
who needed transportation to the fair, to Chemical
Bank for funding a $100 Grand Prize Meijer gift
card, and to all of our Resource Fair exhibitors:
Arbor Circle
Beacon Learning Centers
D.A. Blodgett
Davenport University
Disability Advocates
Express Employment
Professionals
Fair Housing Center
Fifth Third Bank
Goodwill Industries
Grand Rapids Community
College
Grand Rapids Opportunities
for Women
Grand Rapids Public Library
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Rapids Urban League
Great Start Regional
Resource Center
Habitat for Humanity of
Kent County
Home Repair Services
Hope Network
Huntington Bank
Inner City Christian
Federation
KCHD WIC and
Immunizations
Kent County Tax
Credit Coalition
Kent Regional 4C
Legal Aid of Western
Michigan
Legal Assistance
Center
LINC
Literacy Center of
West Michigan
Macatawa Bank
Michigan Works!
Network 180
Pathways to
Prosperity
Planned Parenthood
The Rapid
Pictured clockwise from top:
Beacon Learning Centers
staff offer information; young
attendees; a representative
from ICCF provides affordable
housing information; a
Women’s Resource Center
staffer explains her agency’s
programs; a United Way
representative lends an ear.
Safe Haven Ministries
Shared Care of Kent County
Spectrum Health Healthier
Communities
Spectrum Health MOMS
Strong Beginnings
United Way
Kent County Department of
Human Services
West Michigan Center for the Arts
& Technology (WMCAT)
Kent Co. Health Dept. (KCHD)
Maternal and Infant Care
YWCA Healthy Living HUB
KCHD HIV Program
Women’s Resource Center
GRAND RAPIDS HOUSING COMMISSION
1420 Fuller Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit No. 564
An Equal Opportunity/
Affirmative Action Employer
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
Grand Rapids Housing
Commissioners:
Bobbie Butler, President
Betty Zylstra, Vice President
Angela Bunn, Robert Cooper,
Patrick Miles, Sr.
GRHC Executive Director:
Carlos A. Sanchez
Editor: Joyce Smith
Staff Contributors:
Lois Alexander, Stacy Brown,
Judy Cannon‑Groce, Felicia Clay,
Carlos A. Sanchez, Holly Sturges,
Hattie Tinney, Michael Weaver,
Erin Wieczorek
Published by the Grand Rapids
Housing Commission to keep
residents, community partners and
other supporters informed
of our affordable-housing programs.
Please send questions, comments or
story ideas to:
Grand Rapids Housing Commission
1420 Fuller Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
E-mail: [email protected]
Copyright 2012, all rights reserved.
Hurst Mechanical Spreads Holiday Cheer
Hurst Mechanical continued
a six-year tradition of
bringing holiday cheer to
Mount Mercy Apartments
with a mid-December
visit that assisted a record
number of residents in need.
Hurst Mechanical employees
delivered 41 holiday gift
baskets and 25 Meijer gift
cards. The total value of the
donation from the company
and its employees totaled
approximately $3,600!
Many thanks to
Hurst Mechanical, to the
staff and students
of Unity Christian
High School
who once again
sponsored a
Christmas party
at Adams Park
Apartments,
and to all of the
organizations
and volunteers
whose incredible
generosity
exemplifies the true spirit
of the holiday season. We
are very grateful for your
continuing support!
Hurst Mechanical employees
with a few of the 41 holiday
gift baskets they delivered to
Mount Mercy residents.
Adams Park Welcomes Pine Rest Staff
Adams Park Apartments
staff and residents welcomed
two new full-time staff from
Pine Rest Christian Mental
Health Services in midNovember. The Pine Rest
staff will assist residents
as part of an ongoing
partnership between the
GRHC and Network 180.
(See related story on the front
page of this newsletter!)
Victoria Sluga,
MSW, is a
Pine Rest
Resident
Supports
Coordinator.
She will
provide counseling and
assistance to Adams Park
residents coping with
physical or mental health
problems, substance abuse,
or other issues that put them
at risk for homelessness.
Dionna
Bracey is a
Pine Rest
Recovery
Coach. She
will focus on
providing
counseling and support
to Adams Park residents
struggling to overcome
substance abuse or other
addictions that threaten
health, housing stability
and personal well-being.