August 17, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) announced that the Housing Services Department received six Awards of Merit. Housing Services submitted Awards of Merit applications to NAHRO for noteworthy programs that can be replicated by other Housing Authorities throughout the country. The Awards of Merit were awarded to the following programs:
1. Jordan Downs Gets Connected with Free DSL Access:
In 2010, Internet World Stats reported that 77.44 percent of North America used the Internet. Around the same time, the 2,384 residents of Jordan Downs development in Watts, Los Angeles joined the modern world with free DSL service HACLA purchased from One Economy Corporation in Portland, OR. Through the Jordan Downs Universal Internet Access project, residents with PCs or Macs can obtain government information and forms, apply for jobs and other services, and support their children’s curiosity with online educational resources 24/7. This expansion in digital communications infrastructure represents an enlightened attitude toward supporting public housing residents in their quest for self-sufficiency.
The Jordan Downs Gets Connected with Free DSL Access is also nominated for a higher honor for an Award of Excellence.
2. Partnership in the Ready to Lead Program:
Only 40% of Hispanic students graduate from the Los Angeles Unified School District and many of whom do not receive adequate college preparation or information necessary to pursue a post-secondary degree. The dismal graduation rate and lack of college preparation among low income, public housing high school students are much more pronounced than the average high school student population. The Housing Authority partnered with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute to motivate, educate, and empower students in public housing to complete high school and to pursue a college degree.
3. Domestic Violence Awareness Training:
Yearly, over 3 million incidents of domestic violence are reported. Women of all races are equally vulnerable to attacks from persons they know. The risks tend to climb where household incomes fall. Women in families with annual incomes below $10,000 are most likely to be violently attacked by someone they know. HACLA partnered with three community-based agencies to provide site staff with training on domestic violence awareness and with resources for referrals to individuals experiencing domestic violence. 22 sessions were conducted at 11 sites, training a total of 233 staff.
4. Preventing Scalding Injuries in Public Housing:
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles implemented a program to prevent scalding injuries in public housing, to eliminate fire danger in water heater closets, to lower energy use and to extend the lifespan of water heaters. Many of scalding injuries are a result of household water heaters being set at temperatures above 120o F. In 2009, Housing Authority staff set 6,514 water heaters temperatures to 120o F in public housing units, prevented scalding, saved approximately 3% to 5% or $57,453 to $95,756 in energy cost and increased the lifespan of its water heater inventory.
5. Preparing Young Achievers for Lifetime Success
Some LAUSD high schools are called “dropout factories” with an incompletion rate as high as 51.4 percent (Watts’ Jefferson High). With private funds, HACLA’s Resident Services Department sponsored 20 young adults, ages 18 to 24, from its Rancho San Pedro and San Fernando Gardens developments to join the Millennium Momentum Foundation’s Ambassadors Pilot Project. From September 2010 through March 2011, the Millennium Momentum Foundation’s Leadership Institute helped to develop the youth into leaders through education, mentoring by community and business leaders and program graduates, and practical experience.
6. Trees and Green Careers Take Root in South L.A.
After years without environmental renewal, Imperial Courts and Nickerson Gardens resident developments in Watts turned almost bare of trees. In Spring 2010, HACLA partnered with nonprofit North East Trees to train and provide income to 23 dislocated youth, ages 18 to 24, as they planted over 700 shade trees at their developments. The Environmental Stewardship Program reversed a long decline in greenery and improved energy conservation, storm-water retention, and civic pride while young adults took classes and applied the latest xeriscaping techniques (low-water use landscaping). They finished the monumental program better prepared for green industry careers.
Source: Intergov & Media Relations
