NeighborsA publication of the San Antonio Housing AuthorityWinter 2010

Students ReceiveCollege Scholarships

SAHA Puts Stimulus Funds to Work

SAHA EarnsNational Awards

Health Series Educates Seniors

NeighborsA publication of the San Antonio Housing AuthorityWinter 2010

Our Top Three Priorities

Greetings, Community Residents and Program Participants:

As many of you know, I joined the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) in April of 2009 and since then, together with the Board of Commissioners, staff and community stakeholders, we have spent a lot of time and effort identifying the agency’s priorities and goals—those matters that drive our decision-making, focus our resources, and advance our agency’s mission. As 2009 comes to an end and we prepare to welcome the New Year, I’m pleased to share with you SAHA’s top three goals.

IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOROUR CLIENTS

SAHA is making a fresh commitment to improving the quality of life for you, our clients, and creating stronger communities. To do this, it’s essential that SAHA gain a clear understanding of the needs and desires of the communities we serve. We will continue to visit our various properties to hear directly from you and inform you of our progress and initiatives. Through our recent visits, we understand that safety and security and increasing resident programs and community services are important quality-of-life issues that require our attention. In our property management area, we recently restructured our organization to provide an even greater focus on our elderly and disabled residents to better connect them to needed resources. Together with our partner agencies, SAHA is developing a comprehensive safety and security plan and a new Moving to Work program, to test innovative strategies to expand educational and employment opportunities, leading families to economic stability. We have initiated efforts to engage local partner agencies to help us in the planning process, with program implementation in May 2010.

PRESERVE AND EXPAND OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

SAHA is a nationally recognized leader in the field of affordable housing development, and we are committed to continuing to invest in our existing housing communities and to strategically partner to create affordable housing opportunities and renew neighborhoods. Within the past three years, SAHA has added more than 3,000 housing units valued at nearly $285 million, and the work continues at four new construction sites in Council Districts 1, 2, and 5: Hemisview Village, San

Juan Homes, Sutton Homes and Artisan at Creekside; and at two modernization sites in Council District 3: Blanco Apartments and Lewis Chatham Apartments. SAHA is also focusing on expanding our voucher programs, and has recently added 70 more vouchers to our Veterans Assistance and Supportive Housing program and 100 more vouchers to our Disaster Housing Assistance Program. In Bexar County, 15.9 percent of families are living below the federal poverty level. Given the need for affordable housing in our community, we will continue to pursue additional funding as opportunities become

available to create housing for extremely low income families.

STRENGTHEN OUR BASIC SERVICES AND BUILD STAFF CAPACITY

SAHA provides housing to approximately 25,000 households through three affordable housing programs, Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and Non-profit (Affordable) Housing. We commit to significantly improving our performance and becoming a High Performer Agency. The better our programs perform, the better we serve our clients. We are making improvements to our internal policies and procedures to promote consistency and better service delivery by our staff. And, we are expanding employee development initiatives to build staff capacity through training and education.

But we can’t do this work alone. SAHA has many partners who are generously assisting the organization to achieve its mission. Our partners reach out to our residents providing education, job training, childcare, literacy classes, and many other supportive programs and services.

By working together, SAHA and its partners are improving the quality of life for people who participate in housing programs and the community as a whole by creating stronger, more viable neighborhoods.

We want you to be our partners too. Get involved with activities at your property, such as resident councils and community gatherings. Take pride in where you live and let us know how we can help make your home a better place to live and help us strengthen our communities.

Lourdes Castro RamírezPresident and CEO

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Lourdes Castro Ramírez

SAHAS A N A N T O N I O

. . . for the people

NeighborsSan Antonio Housing Authority

Board of CommissionersRamiro Cavazos – Chair

Dr. Brian Herman – Vice-ChairRebecca Galvan

Dr. Richard GambittaYolanda Hotman

Stella Burciaga-Molina

President and CEOLourdes Castro Ramírez

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

Melanie VillalobosPublic Affairs and Personnel Officer

Jamie KaunCorporate Relations Liaison

Lilia SwayneWebmaster/Graphic Artist

Monica QuirogaIntergovernmental Affairs Liaison

Elvira EnriquezCorporate Relations Coordinator

Dolores MuellerAdministrative Secretary

Neighbors is produced by the San Antonio Housing Authority’s Public Affairs Department three times a year for the participants in our public housing and voucher assistance programs.

Deadline for submission of story ideas, articles, photos and artwork is 30 days prior to publishing. Submission does not guarantee publication. To suggest story ideas or to discuss Neighbors, please contact the Public Affairs Department at (210) 477-6126.

Cover photo:(l to r) SAHA President & CEO Lourdes Castro Ramírez, Villa Hermosa residents Anita Hallman, Maryann Villegas and Carlos Carrion, and San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro at the SAHA stimulus funding news conference.

NEIGHBORS | WINTER 2010 | PAGE 3

Just as the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) works with adults to guide them toward self-sufficiency, we hope to help children

whose families participate in our housing programs, build their future through programs like the Education Investment Foundation (EIF).

One EIF program provides

$1,500-a-year renewable scholarships to students who have shown strong academic, social and extracurricular success. Earlier this year, 35 students were rewarded a total of $52,500 in scholarships at the 9th annual Rising Stars banquet.

The scholarships help students, like recipient Kimberly Dominguez, offset college costs. Dominguez, who graduated early from high school, aspires to become a pulmonologist (a doctor who specializes in the treatment of lung condition and diseases).

She is a freshman at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and is the first member of her family to attend college. She helps care for her two nieces and three nephews while going to college and working full-time.

The renewable scholarships are funded by donations from local businesses, individuals and organizations. Including this year’s recipients, the EIF has awarded 314 high school seniors and returning college students with $471,000 to help offset college costs since 1998.

For more information about the EIF scholarships, visit www.eif-sa.com or call (210) 477-6031.

FIRST-TIME RECIPIENTS:Linda ArmendarizLumumba BattleBelinda BowlerValissa ChavezDenise ChonJoshua CostelloTabitha CrileKimberly DominguezBernadette GarciaChristopher JimenezBlanca MartinezKerrionda PatinJessica RamirezJackie RobledoKayla RiveraRobert RobledoDestiny RodriguezBianca RosasEmiliana RulleDiamond Walker

RENEWAL RECIPIENTS:Siobhan BlotSarah BrothersAbigail CarreonDelilah CastilloAlina FloresKellie GonzalesJessica JimenezSamantha LunaIsidro ObregonRegis PriceSara RodriguezCarlos TorresChristopher VasquezStefon Williams Roxanne Zavala

Kimberly Dominguez

SAHA Awards College Scholarships

M any San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) communities will be upgraded

or improved over the next three years, thanks to a total of $20 million in federal stimulus funds the agency received this year as a result of the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).

The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009. The Recovery Act includes $4 billion, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for capital improvement projects at public housing properties.

Out of 349 Texas housing authorities receiving Recovery Act funds on Feb. 29, 2009, SAHA received the highest amount, $14.5 million, to be used solely for public housing capital improvements.

SAHA conducted a thorough

review of the capital needs of the agency’s public housing properties, and established priorities for the allocation of Recovery Act funds, based on physical needs relating to life safety, health risk, property repair and energy efficiency.

The $14.5 million will go towards:1. Comprehensive modernization

improvements to Lewis Chatham Apartments, a 119-unit senior community located at 6405 S. Flores on the city’s south side;

2. Upgrades to elevator, fire alarm and security systems at nearly 20 elderly communities throughout San Antonio, and at the Convent, an historical structure in SAHA’s Springview community;

3. Safety and sustainability repairs and improvements to playgrounds at 12 public housing family communities throughout the city; and

4. Various site and systems repairs and replacements, including windows,

Select Housing Properties Receive ImprovementsThanks To Stimulus Funds

PAGE 4 | WINTER 2010 | NEIGHBORS

roofing, fencing, cabinets and HVAC systems.

Then, on Sept. 23, 2009, HUD announced the last of the funding awards in the competitive round of Recovery Act grants, and SAHA was awarded another $5,350,593 for capital improvements to 13 communities(see below)

Villa HermosaVilla TrancheseCollege ParkParkview MadonnaJewett CircleCisnerosKenwood NorthFair AvenueMatt GarciaVictoria PlazaOP SchnabelLila Cockrell

$265,528.35$890,573.42$74,960.60$727,452.81$92,937.25$287,453.56$328,745.60$303,217.96$697,231.63$323,449.55$859,576.69$362,697.58$136,767.18

(continued on next page)

serving the elderly and persons with disabilities. This new award brought SAHA’s total Recovery Act funding to nearly $20 million.

“Folks have wondered over the last few months where the stimulus money has gone. Here you have a terrific example of stimulus dollars at work going to improve the homes and lives of up to 5,000 elderly and disabled folks here in San Antonio,” San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro said at a Sept. 28 news conference.

This $5.35 million funding award will enable SAHA to further its efforts to improve the quality of life for seniors and persons with disabilities. The funds will specifically go to improve or modify

existing public housing communities to make them fully accessible and to create a more comfortable, accessible and air-conditioned environment that encourages socialization among the residents of these communities.

The funds will also go to providing additional space for agencies whose services are targeted to the elderly and/or persons with disabilities.

“These funds will allow us to make much-needed repairs to our public housing properties and improve the safety and quality of life for our residents,” said Ramiro Cavazos, SAHA Board Chair.

As contractors are procured to perform Recovery Act work, SAHA

L-R: SAHA President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramírez, Mayor Julián Castro, HUD Field Director Richard Lopez, SAHA Chair Ramiro Cavazos,San Antonio Food Bank Representative Zuani Villarreal, and U.S. Congressman Charles Gonzalez.

NEIGHBORS | WINTER 2010 | PAGE 5

will strongly encourage participation of small and minority-owned businesses, with additional weight given to contractors that commit to actively recruiting employees from the neighborhoods in and around where this work will occur.

“These funds also bring additional benefits to our community in the form of new jobs and the preservation of existing jobs for others,” explained SAHA President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramírez.

To read more about the specifics of SAHA’s Recovery Act activities, visit www.saha.org and click on the Recovery Act 2009 graphic at the bottom of the page.

PAGE 6 | WINTER 2010 | NEIGHBORS

If you talk to award-winning medical researcher Dr. Brian Herman for just a few minutes about his career and

community involvement, you’ll quickly learn what drives him is simple—the desire to help others reach their fullest potential and maximize their quality of life.

One way Herman does this is by serving on a number of local, state and national boards, including the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) Board of Commissioners. He was asked by former Mayor Phil Hardberger to serve on SAHA’s board in April 2009 and was recently elected to serve as vice chair by his fellow commissioners.

Herman, who focuses his research on how to enhance the quality of life as we age, is currently a professor in Cellular and Structural Biology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). He is also the Vice President for Research and past-chair of the Cellular and Structural Biology Department.

Prior to joining UTHSCSA, he was a 15-year faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his undergraduate degree at Adelphi University, a graduate degree at the University of Connecticut Health Science Center and postgraduate training from Harvard Medical School.

Herman became a medica l researcher because he’s always been interested in medicine and how things work.

Commissioner Believes in Hard Work, Perseverance

“Research is challenging and puzzling. It’s like being a detective. You may find information from unexpected avenues but when you put it together, it makes complete sense,” Herman explains.

Herman has received numerous awards for his research contributions and he firmly believes there is no shortcut to success—it takes hard work and perseverance.

“I learned these values early in life,” explains Herman. “I worked in my father’s bakery in Bristol, Conn.

from the time I was five years old until I received my undergraduate degree.”

Herman applies these values to both his professional and personal life.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is my current and past involvement in a variety of organizations and other opportunities that have allowed me to enhance the success individuals achieve in their lives,” Herman shares.

Tracey Curran-Herman, Herman’s wife, is also involved in the community through the arts. Tracey, an artist, is co-founder of the Regional Artists Consortium of San Antonio. She served on the organization’s board for six years and was the director of its galleries. Tracey also serves on the McNay Gala Committee, works with the Artists Foundation of San Antonio and serves on the Executive Council of the Council for Excellence in Women’s Health at UTHSCSA.

Their 25-year-old daughter is also an artist and their 20-year-old daughter, a junior at the University of Richmond, aspires to become a physician.

Herman says although he has only been involved with SAHA for a short time, he has seen tremendous positive changes that are impacting the security, safety, health and educational opportunities for residents.

“SAHA’s board and staff are very committed to meeting the housing needs of our residents and improving their quality of life. There are many good things underway and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

“ “

One of the things I’m most proud of is my current and past involvement in a variety of organizations and other opportunities that have allowed me to enhance the success individuals achieve in their lives. - Dr. Brian Herman

Dr. Brian Herman

NEIGHBORS | WINTER 2010 | PAGE 7

Moonwalks, barbeques, block parties, and

even the Chief of Police brought San

Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) residents together

on October 6 in celebration of the 26th annual National

Night Out. These

activities were just a few of many that occurred

Neighbors Join Together for National Night Out

Springhill celebrates National Night Out William McManus (center), San Antonio Chief of Police, joins Springhill neighbors at National Night Out

SAHA Board Commissioner Yolanda Hotman was recently chosen to serve a two-year term on the Board of Governors for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). NAHRO is a membership organization of 21,000 housing and community

development agencies and professionals throughout the United States focused on creating affordable housing and safe, viable communities for low- and moderate-income families. NAHRO’s Board of Governors guides policy for the organization.

SAHA Commissioner Chosen to Serve on National Housing Board

Yolanda Hotman

at SAHA properties throughout the city for the nationwide effort to bring neighbors together to help fight crime.

SAHA thanks its many partners

Homeless Veterans Eligible for Housing Assistance

The San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) is working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) along with the Veterans Affairs (VA) San Antonio Medical Center to provide local homeless veterans with housing choice vouchers (HCV).

Homeless veterans receive rental assistance through HUD’s Section 8 voucher program, and support services, case management and health care from the VA through the program called the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program.

SAHA recently received 70 vouchers for the program

in addition to the 70 it received last year, bringing the total funding for VASH to nearly $900,000. Although the first set of vouchers has all been issued, vouchers are currently available because of the additional funding.

VASH is funded by Congress and administered by HUD through partnerships with public housing authorities and the VA.

Interested homeless veterans must be income-eligible and referred to SAHA by the local VA office. To contact the local VA office, call (210) 692-1155 and press option 2.

SAHA Commissioner Dr. Richard Gambitta was recently named an honoree by the University of Texas System Board of Regents for its inaugural Outstanding Teaching Awards. Dr. Gambitta is the director of the Institute for Law and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he has

served as chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography and a tenured professor for 25 years.

SAHA Commissioner Receives Outstanding Teaching Award

Dr. Richard Gambitta

from local organizations and businesses that helped the agency and its residents celebrate this community event.

PAGE 8 | WINTER 2010 | NEIGHBORS

Knox Winter, 65,

believes the common saying

“You’re never too old to learn.”

This philosophy encouraged him to attend the Health Smart series in October and November at W.C. White Apartments, a San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) community for seniors and disabled persons.

The Health Smart series, presented by SAHA and CommuniCare Health Centers, is a five-week educational program that covers general medical, dental, behavioral health, nutrition and fitness topics geared toward seniors. CommuniCare Health Centers is a nonprofit full-service family health provider that treats patients regardless of their ability to pay, as well as patients

Health Series EducatesSeniors on Wellness

with insurance including Medicare and Medicaid.

“The programs were very informative,” said Winter. “I was able to find some services available to me that I didn’t know about through these sessions.”

Each one-hour session included information on medical topics ranging from medication management and heart

If I live in a SAHA-owned property, how do I report something that needs maintenance or repair?

The San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) strives to ensure its properties are functioning properly and safely. Maintenance issues will arise and there are steps you can take to help SAHA address and correct the issue.

There are three levels of priorities for maintenance issues: emergency, resident call-in (non-emergency) and scheduled. Scheduled items include trash removal, pest control inspections, etc.

Here’s what you should do if you experience a maintenance issue at a SAHA property and the steps SAHA takes to correct it.

1. Call the SAHA maintenance line at (210) 477-6800. Tell the representative what the issue is and he or she will input the information you provide into the computer system.

2. The representative will give you a work order number. Write the number down and keep it handy should you need to check on the status of your maintenance issue.

3. Once the maintenance issue information is put into the computer system, it is sent to the appropriate property manager and staff.

4. The property staff will respond within 24 hours to emergency issues, such as broken locks, non-working refrigerators, etc. In most cases, they respond to non-emergency issues, such as leaking faucets, non-working light switches, etc., in that timeframe as well. Scheduled issues will be completed on the scheduled date.

5. If property staff has not responded within 24 hours, call the maintenance line. Provide them with your work order number and they can check on the status for you.

If you are not satisfied with the repairs or have other concerns, contact your property manager.

health to dental care and exercise. Participants are given handouts with valuable health information at each session that they can later refer to as needed.

This new program, which kicked off at W.C. White, will be offered at various SAHA senior properties throughout the year. Victoria Plaza will host the next series.

For more information on the Health Smart series, call (210) 477-6026. For more information on services provided by CommuniCare and locations, visit www.communicaresa.org, or call one of their two San Antonio health centers: the Dr. Frank Bryant Health Center (east side) at (210) 233-7000 or the Barrio Family Health Center (west side)at (210) 434-2368.

Ask SAHA 210-477-6262For general housing questions, callQ

A&

Knox Winter, W.C. White resident

NEIGHBORS | WINTER 2010 | PAGE 9

SAHA Receives Multiple National HonorsThe San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA)

has been recognized by several national organizations over the last few months for outstanding performance in new construction

design, internal development programs and resident services.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILSAHA’s mixed-income family community Victoria

Commons won a national innovation award from the National Development Council (NDC), the oldest national non-profit community development organization in the U.S.

NAHROSeveral SAHA communities and programs were

honored for outstanding achievement by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), an organization focused on creating affordable housing and safe, viable communities for low- and moderate-income families.

The NAHRO awards for innovation include:* Design – Artisan at Salado Apartments and Costa

Almadena Apartments * SAHA Resident Handbook, an informational

handbook for public housing residents* Woodhill Cares, an initiative aimed at improving

customer service and maintenance programs at Woodhill Apartments

In addition, NAHRO honored the SAHA Leadership Program, an internal development program that encourages employees to develop and become successful leaders, with an Award of Excellence in the Administrative Innovation category.

PUBLIC RELATIONSThe SAHA Leadership Program was also awarded a

Silver Spur, the Texas Public Relations Society’s highest honor. The program has also been recognized by the Association for Women in Communications (AWIC) and the International Association of Business Communicators. The newsletter you are reading, Neighbors, was also honored by the AWIC for excellence.

“The ‘face’ of public housing has changed in San Antonio over the last several years and we’re pleased our efforts are being recognized on a national level,” said SAHA Board Chair Ramiro Cavazos.

Refugio Apartment Homes at Victoria Commons

PAGE 10 | WINTER 2010 | NEIGHBORS

While you can always call the main San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) phone number (210-477-6262)for information, you may find the list below of commonly used phone numbers helpful.

Main number/general questions (210) 477-6262Board of Commissioners (210) 477-6133Business Opportunities/Procurement (210) 477-6166Client Care (210) 477-6777Public Affairs/Communications (210) 477-6126Client Care-Customer Service (210) 477-6262 General questions/information

Executive Office/President and CEO (210) 477-6047; TTY (210) 224-7124Finance and Accounting (210) 477-6061Housing Choice Voucher Fraud (210) 477-6287 Homeownership (210) 477-6013 Inspections (210) 477-6149 Landlord Inquiries (210) 477-6033 Resident Informal Hearings (210) 477-6066 Waiting List (210) 477-6115Human Resources (210) 477-6116; TTY (210) 224-7144Legal Department (210) 477-6027Public Housing Admissions (210) 477-6196 Applicant Informal Hearings (210) 477-6224/6562 Resident Informal Hearings (210) 477-6066 Work Orders (210) 477-6800Real Estate and Development Services (210) 477-6001Risk Management (210) 477-6122

SAHA Helpful Phone Numbers

Important DatesJanuary 2010 Jan. 1, New Year’s Holiday, all SAHA offices closed Jan. 14, SAHA Board of Commissioners Meeting, 1 p.m., Central Office Boardroom Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all SAHA offices closedFebruary 2010 Feb. 4, SAHA Board of Commissioners Meeting, 1 p.m., Central Office Boardroom Feb. 15, President’s Day, all SAHA offices closedMarch 2010 March 4, SAHA Board of Commissioners Meeting, 1 p.m., Central Office Boardroom March 14, Daylight Savings Time starts – set your clocks ahead 1 hour