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HUD HONORS BOWLING GREEN HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR RESIDENT INITIATIVE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT
Carrollton, Pikeville, Scottsville, Louisville, Bowling Green, and Covington Housing Authorities/Agencies Also Receive Awards

LOUISVILLE - The Louisville HUD Office of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), presented awards for excellence in management to several housing agencies at the Kentucky Housing Association Mid-Year Conference held February 12-15, 2006, in Louisville.

The Louisville HUD Office annually recognizes superior program administration by presenting awards for Small Public Housing Authority (PHA) of the Year for housing authorities with less than 100 units; Mid Size Public Housing Authority of the Year for housing authorities with 100-250 units, and Large Public Housing Authority of the Year for housing authorities with more than 250 units; and, for Housing Choice Voucher Agency of the Year for housing choice voucher rental assistance program administrators. Awards are also given for Resident Initiative Program of the Year, Family Self Sufficiency Program of the Year, and a new Best Practices for Web Site Design of the Year. One-hundred and five public housing authorities are in competition for the public housing awards and forty-four Housing Choice Voucher agencies compete for the Housing Choice Voucher award. To be considered for the authority and agency of the year awards, the competing organizations must excel at property, financial, and occupancy rate management.

Executive director Abraham Williams and the staff of the Housing Authority of Bowling Green (HABG) were recognized with the Resident Initiative Program of the Year award for their "JUST THINK!" program. This outstanding program provides a diverse array of activities for youth (K-12) residents at the HABG including:

• Older teens who are in jeopardy of dropping out of school have benefited from the opportunity to go to summer school and make up the work needed in order to be promoted along with their peers. This partnership with the school system is an exceptional example of cooperation that benefits everyone. These teens have taken the opportunity to raise their standard of living through increased education and leadership skills.
  
  
• The Kaleidoscope/Youth in Art program promotes community involvement for youth in K-12 and focuses on reading, computer skills, science and math remediation, and art careers through hands-on projects as well as field trips to various locations.
  
  
• Participants traveled to Alabama to discuss pertinent social implications regarding living in diverse communities.

In addition, the HABG has assisted more than 40 families reach their dream of homeownership through their homeownership counseling program; has an after-school program serving up to 230 children; has a work training program for women in construction; and has successful work training programs in upholstery and cabinet making, which includes an on-site shop.

Other award winners included the Housing Authorities of Carrollton, Pikeville, Scottsville, Covington, and Louisville, as well as the City of Paducah Housing Choice Voucher Program.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

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