The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) recently honored the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) with the 2019 Award of Merit in the Resident and Client Services category for the Housing Plus program partnership with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA).
Housing Plus provides case management services to older adults, veterans and individuals with disabilities who reside in properties owned or managed by HACSB, comprising about 60 percent of HACSB residents. “We serve a vulnerable population. This program helps to ensure that these residents receive assistance to mitigate issues that may lead to eviction. It also helps residents connect to vital services that support well-being and success in maintaining housing,” said Denise Wise, CEO of HACSB.
“This initiative connects multiple agencies to address a variety of needs in one place with one coordinated approach that benefits all involved. We are proud to connect our residents with providers who can be a safety net of resources for people in need,” Wise said.
The VCAAA, under contract with HACSB, provides short-term case management and referrals to other services and consults with HACSB staff to ensure residents can access the services they need, such as mental health, nutrition, healthcare and crisis intervention.
NAHRO President Carl S. Richie, Jr. said, “Congratulations to our 2019 Awards of Merit recipients. I am so proud of the great work they’re doing for their clients and their communities.”
The NAHRO Awards of Merit program was created 20 years ago to recognize agencies who found innovative ways of making a difference in their communities and in the lives of the people they serve by creating affordable housing, revitalizing their neighborhoods and developing initiatives such as job readiness programs, public-private partnerships, disaster prevention projects and more.
HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura, currently managing 295 public housing units, 705 nonprofit affordable rental units, and more than 1,500 Section 8 vouchers. The agency is actively working to increase the supply of affordable housing and to improve the quality of life for hundreds more of the low-income residents of the City of Ventura. http://www.hacityventura.org/.
NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of nearly 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.
