Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Where people matter every day

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Where people matter every day.

Letter From the Executive Director

Executive Commentary

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 im-

prove 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 hous-

ing community in Hopewell. We continue to improve our services to our residents with grant

funding sought after and received by our Resident Services Depart-

ment. 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 re-

mained focused on their performance indicators and consistently met

or exceed them. The 2013 Audit which was reported in 2014 was com-

pleted without any deficiencies or need for corrections in financial

management of the agency. Meeting and exceeding standards trans-

late 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 ex-

pertise.

Sincerely,

Steven A. Benham

Steven A. Benham, Sr. Executive Director.

Mixed Income Housing

The Summit at Hopewell

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 com-

munity 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 Partner-

ship (HOME) funds, Virginia Housing Trust funds, private bank financing, and a strong development part-

ner, 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 de-

termined 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

Easter Eggstravaganza HAI Poster Contests Hopewell Explorers Story Time with Appomattox Regional Li-

brary

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

Hopewell Explorers

A DIFFERENT VIEW

The Hopewell Police Explorers (HPE) is a program that promotes character building and citizenship train-ing for young adults ages 14-21 through exposure to the duties of a career in law enforcement. The pro-gram 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 pos-itive respect for police officials and that young adults interested in this career field will have an opportuni-ty to explore the nature of work.

Hopewell Community Day

STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS

In May HRHA partnered with the Richmond Attorney General’s Office, Hopewell Police Depart-

ment 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 re-

garding reducing violent crimes and combatting gang violence. Vendors from community agen-

cies and organizations were present to distribute information to families. It is hoped that this an-

nual celebration will connect diverse citizens from various neighborhoods to partner with local

agencies and organizations on community initiatives.

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program

ASSITING 37 FAMILIES BEGIN A NEW JOURNEY

To catch the reader's attention,

place an interesting sentence or

quote from the story here.

“A journey of a thousand

miles begins with one single

step.”

~ Lao Tzu

The FSS program provides low-income families opportunities for education, job training and coun-

seling 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.

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 resi-

dents 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 be-

ing 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 re-sources 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 Authori-ty 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 ex-perienced in prior years. The Authority also implements Program-level budgeting in order to im-prove 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.

Community Partners THANK YOU

Special Events

2014 Occasions to Celebrate

Bikeathon Zumba National Night Out

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

Services

Hopewell Explorers Hopewell Police Department

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

Attorney General

Surry County Office on Youth The Empowerment Zone The James House

The Wicked Few Virginia Cooperative Extension Virginia State University Petersburg Goodwill Employ-

Easter Eggstravangza Valentine’s Day Dinner

Father’s Day

Hopewell Community Day Mother’s Day

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 obso-

lete 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 pro-

ject will come from private investors. The total estimated cost to redevelop Kippax Place is be-

tween $9.5 and $9.8 million.

RAD is an essential part of the housing authority’s rental housing protection strategy. This strate-

gy 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 nu-

merous accomplishments, project comple-

tions and expanded community partner-

ships. 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 fellow-

ship 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

www.hopewellrha.org

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