NHA newsletter, March 2003

8 Pages·2003·0.44 MB·

by  Newark Housing Authority

March 2003
Newark Housing Authority
A MessaGe From THe Executive DIRECTOR
This past February Newark “We should be about helping people and there is such a
Housing Authority (NHA) Ex- tremendous job ahead of us in the city of Newark. The
cecountviveen eDdi recatno r aHgaernoclyd -wLuicdaes hNiHriAn g isa nodn e taokfi ntgh e cparree moife pre aogpelnec iwehso i n atrhei st hcei tyl eians tt earmmosn gof
staff meeting at Newark Sym- us.
phony Hall where he shared
with employees the fiscal sta- “It's so important that we continue our progress. Newark
tus and future direction of the is finally turning itself around and people are getting ex-
tNeHrAe.d onM r.t heL uicamsp’e nrdeimnagr kfse dceerna-l cited.
bbluyd giemtp accutt sp utbhlaitc wihlolu siinnevgi taau-- h“Bouuts ing. The attitudae c ri(siasm oin g policymakers) is jthiart publilcic
thorities throughout the coun- housing authorities have spent too much for too long in
try. The following are excerpts from the Director’s mes- this country.
sage.
“We're going to have to work harder. We're operating
“We were advised that public housing budgets would be undae2r 00 3 budget thate xpires nextm onth, andt he2 004
cut by 30 percent across the nation, in the operating side of budget is worse than this one. But we're goingt ot ry and |
the budget that pays for many of the things we do. We lob- stay the course. Hiring is frozen at the Newark Housing
bied to mitigate against these cuts but we still don’t know Authority. Everybody has value if theya pplyt hemselves,
what the real numbers are going to be. That means the way if they give it a chance and if theya reg iven a chance to
that HUD distributes monies to public housing authorities shine. Š
has not been decided yet. Maybe we'll know in June, but
starting in April the cut is 30 percent. get
staff. We can only do it by working together. We have to.
r“Iens eannttiincgi peamtipnlgo yteheiss ,s ittuhaet ioBno,a rdw e ofm et with Commitssiohners e Unionasn d respe-- pes
ansiokre ds tatfhfe arnedq usihsaitree d sttahfifs tdoi lpreemsmean t wiptlha ntsh eomn. hWoew htahveey aclars o do the best thyaout ca n.
reduce costs so that we can meet thi .
goingt ob e borne by any one Union. As a famiwlew yan t
“We need to have a meeting like this once a year so every- to remain a family; weal l havea jobt od o— let'sc ontinue
body can see who everybody is. Only through a family to do it. We have enough people at the Newark Housing
approach can we make progress. There are no individuals
at the Newark Housing Authority; the only in-charge people everybotdody o .”
are the ones that help each other. It’s about the hope we
have and the benefits we get from helping the tenants.
March 2003
The NHA Celebrates Black History Month
NH; l
ctheelierb rastuipopno rtt hiso fp atshte FeNbHrAu’arsy , Blsaectkt ingH itshteo rtyo neM ofnotrh a
spirited atmosphere that was enlivened by remarks
from the keynote speaker, Lenworth Gunther, and a
luncheon featuring delectable African American
cuisine
To highlight their cultural heritage, many employees
donhn ed African atttirraed iftoiro nt hoef occasion, whicahn cebsetgora n
with the pouring of a libation, coupled with music
evocative of Africa and rendered by Chukata, an
ensemble of drummers.
IHna rhoisl dr emLaurckass tao cekmnpolwoyleeedsg,e d NHthAe Estxreucgugtlievse eDnidreucrteodr
by our forefathers and that our energies should be
used to create good works.
"We got here on the backs of our ancestors, and our
efforts should be focused on uplifting ourselves and
others.
“We must continue to work together to make the
housing authority better, to make our lives better and
to make the world better because it’s not about us,
but about others,” Mr. Lucas said.
Featured speaker Dr. Lenworth Gunther, a noted
educator and scholar, spoke on his self-titled theme,
“Beyond the Bright Lights: The Power and Presence
of a People.”
March 2003
two
"We need to understand the uni
ity, the struggle of our peopl
greatness ofsm all people
into the history
With Characteristic Verve and Style!
He characterized black history as 12 million Africans 1) Bala Jayaraman, Finance, and Karen Torian, HOPE VI.
surviving the holocaust otfh e slave trade and settling 2) Executive Director Harold Lucas with Dr. Lenworth
tihn eiprl apcrees selnickee Afmeeltr itchar,o ugBhra ztihle,i ra nmdy rCiaudb a and making Gunther.
atos setrhtee d,w oralddd.i ng", Ou“ras waisr ma awnodn derircfh ulhi sthoirsyt.o”r y," he and Sandra Jenkins, Administration. Standing: Elio
Mena, Legal.B ackgAntorinetote Tuillneryd,C on:tra cts,
Dr. Gunther continued, "We need to understand the A. Kevin Medlin, Contracts, and Dorothy Thompson,
universality and the struggle of our people, as well as Modernization.
ftohre tgrranesfaortmninoegf sshm siasl lt orpye ople whod idn’gte ta ny credit 4r)e pMeretmobireer sw itohf CDhru. kGautnat hesrh o(wsceaastee d thleefitr) African music
"We need to understand the depths of our people 5) Olusanya Adewusi, Finance, JodiW alston, Executive
because wearei sno t external, but internal. Our Office, Joseph Foushee, Security, and Shaye Araromi,
what guided us through the struggles and Assistant Executive Director.
bpreeysoenncde tthhea t btrrigahnts celnidgsht sa,l l.t”h ere is a power and a 67)) CTaajrio lLyewni sR,e eOscec, upParnocpye,r tyK imM anWaogrtehmienngtt.o n, Section 8,
The program was coordinated by Arthur N. Martin, and Dana Smith, IT.
Jr., chairman, Legal, LaVerne Dudley, co-chairperson, 8) NHA staffl ifutp their voices in song.
Legal, Amy Lebron, Revenue Recovery, Bernard
Rollins, Modernization, Marcia Robinson, Personnel,
Jodi Walston, Executive Office, Olusanya Adewusi,
Finance, and Yvonne Reynolds, Public Information
March 2003
Three
Several notables from the boxing world, area youth and
‘community representatives recently joined NHA Execu-
ntiivtey DOirrgeacntiozra tHiaorno ldM akLiucnags Bato xCi.nOg. M.AlBt.eAr.nTa.tTi.ve'ss T(oCdoamym uf-or
Tceopmtoirorno wt)o, ceFliresbtr aAtnen uahlis Aawcahridesv emDeinnnte r asa ntdhe Cerleecbirpiiteyn t Reo-f
the organization's "Humanitarian Award."
Mr. Lucas was selected for the award in recognition of his
work in the Newark community. Specifically, he helped
Cga.n0i.zMa.tBi.oAn. Tf.oTr. ,at -rias kc oymomuit hs, implesmede,n ta mtahtee uart hlbetoixci ngt raionr- -
ing part of the program and resurrect the old Dukers Ath-
letic Club at an NHA housing complex in 1996.
March 2003
5) Joyce Morgan, Executive Office, with boxing
promoter, Murad Muhammad,
6) World Middleweight Champion Bernard
Hopkins, flanked by Albert Lucas,a s taff member
of the International Boxing Federation/United
Under the direction of its brainchild, New Jersey Box- States Boxing Association, congratulates Executive
ing Commissioner Larry Hazzard, Sr., C.O.M.B.A.T.T. Director Harold Lucas.
afdacder,e sbsoetsh miansniyd e carintdi caolu tissisduee s thteh atr inpgr.o fPersosigornaaml pbaorxtiecris- 7) Donald Moore, Modernization, Sandra Jenkins,
ptiaonntss,, retcheirvoeu ghs ervai cneest wroarnkg inogf fpruobml icp/hpyrsiivcaatle fiotrngeassn iazan-d ADidrmeicntoirs.t ration Vernita Sias-Hill, Assistant Executive
boxing skills training and nutrition to education, eco- 8) Boxing greats Marvis Frazier with his father, Joe
nomic and social developmenatn d cultural enrichment. Frazier, honoree Marian Muhammad, presidento f
wPirlol ceheedlsp Cf.rOo.mM .tBh.eA .Tb.enTe.f it,t o hoepledn ati tsR oobwenr t facTirleiatty, wHohtieclh, tBhoex iInngt eArnsastioocniala tBiooxnai,nng d h Foendoerreaet ioBna/rUryn itD.e dJ orSdtaant,e s
is scheduled to open in May 2003. MD, MPH
March 2003
five
GO a oFR OTHUE SICINTGY AOUFTNOE RWIARTK - i
| VLA ANTI-GANG
pew FRCOOMNF ENREONWCE O N.
As part of a collaborative effort between a consortium of
c(GiNatHny Ag)a n Cdor nescfioedurenenttnysc, e atgtheoe n pcNireHosvA i daesn pdNo nHNsAeo wreatdern ka inttsH oFaiusrssstoi cnAigna ntiuAoaunlt hopArrneitstiiy-- CO-NAFIENRTE NGCAE NG
dteionnt s ona,n da nodt heirn sigchotm miunntoi,t yt hel egadaenrgs cwuiltthu rvea launadb lep reivnefnotrimav-e
strategies to help reduce gang-related crimes at NHA com-
plexes.
Held at the Robert Treat Hotel this past January, the confer-
ence, entitled “From Now On," included a forum for ten-
jati i ives from educational
institutions, social service and law enforcement agencies,
the clergy community and community activists to partici
pate in seminars on Gang Awareness, Gang Prevention in
Public Housing, Gang Alternatives and Recreational Activi-
ties, Job Training, Employment and Counseling, and the
Housing One Strike Rule, which permits housing authori-
ties to evict families for drug-related offenses.
"This conference is a first step toward addressing gangs,"
ssaeimdb leNdH. A "ThEoxseec utwihvoe wDei rweactnotr toH saarvoel da re Luinc atsh e tgoa ntg.h osSeo meas--
where along the way we got away from taking care of our
own."
Deputy Mayor Evelyn Williams, who read a statement from
Newark Mayor Sharpe James, stated, "We are here to dis-
cuss an unhappy but extremely important subject. Gangs 1) Workshop participants attending one of the seminars.
create a dangerous environment wherever they operate...
and disrespect our neighborhoods and families who try to ‘Action Director Charles Bell (seated left) and NHA
build strong neighborhoods." Security Director Joseph Foushee look on.
TmMahuteni ivcceio pnAafclet rieCononcu enD ceiwplaa'ssr tamA ejnnotitin,-t Gvatehnnegt uCrTieat ys kbofefot rNwceeewe anar nkdt,h eN tHheA N HNAet weAnafafrinkrt- pt3i)ro oSneavlvi edrsaeolan gr.me espmibtee rfs oorpfa rtthiec iNpHaAn'tss Vaonidc eesn goafg Heo pien iCnhsopiirra -
associations. 4) Workshop panelists (left to right) include B.Walton,
Affirmative Action, Latonya Easterling Public Housing
March 2003
six
NHA Wins Passage of Plan to Designate "Seniors Only" Housing
As part of an initiative designed to improve the deliv- tion 10 of theH ousing Opportunity Program Extension
ery of services and respond to the needs of seniors, the Act by Congress in 1996, however, established three
Newark Housing Authority (NHA), in an historic first distinct housing groups (disabled, elderly, and disabled
fort hes tate’s largest public housing authority, recently and elderly families).
secured HUD approval of its application to designate
certain housing complexes as “seniors only” buildings. “The hue and cry from seniors for separate housing,
particularly apart from the young, has been a major
Ata press conference at James C. White Manor where concern of housing authorities for years,” said Mr.
NHA residents and federal, state and city officials gath- Lucas.
eerledde,r lyN HreAs idEexnetcsu thiavve e Dilroencgt oard vHoacraotledd Lufcora s busialidd,i ng“sO utro “Therefore, for HUD to grant approval of our applica-
fbeed edraels ighnoautseidn g asr egsuelnaitoirosn s ontlhya,t pbruoth iwbeit edh ada nyt o prfooclelsosw tsiioonn eriss maonsdt egsrpaetcifiyailnlgy ttoo tohuer NsHeAni’osr Breosairdden tso.f Commis-
that would mitigate against the young, (Continued on pg.8)
1) Executive Director Harold Lucas addressing seniors
"Previously, few non-elderly disabled residents shared at James C. White Manor with Commissioner Ida Clark
developments with seniors following the construction (seated left) and Councilman Charles Bell (seated right).
f elderly inthecity. Sec- 2) listen attentively as Mr-L lains the
NHA's new policyo n" seniors only" housing.
Officials from the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) and the
U.S. Departmento fH ousing &U rban Development (HUD) re-
cently met with several residentwsh ol ivei n Mt. Pleasant Estates
to prepare them for the process of buying their respective hous-
ing unit. Under the initiative, which is sanctioned by HUD
regulations, the NHA will serve as the mortgage lender, creat-
ing a "win-win" situation for both residents and the Authority
Mt. Pleasant Estates, a 42-unit townhouse development, is lo-
cated in the city’s North Ward and was acquired by the NHA
several years ago. NHA Executive Director Harold Lucas called
the venture a" monumental step that NHA residents are taking
and the NHA is enthusiastic and ready to move this project in a
positive direction.”
March 2003
seven
NHA Institutes New Policy Designating "Seniors Only" Housing
C“oOnutri nsueendi orfsr oma npdg. s7t affa re both pleased because HUD's “We have been fully aware of the generational differ-
approval enables us to better focus our services on each ences within our mixed population sites, and we now
of the resident populations,” Mr. Lucas added. have HUD’s approval to provide a remedy.”
Under the approved plan, James C. White Manor, 516 Mr. Lucas also said that no disabled family would be
Bergen Street, and GiGi Foushee Towers, 68-89 Lincoln forced to relocate from a building that has been desi
Street, have been designated as “seniors only” complexes, nated elderly only but incentives will be offered to make
and one building at specific NHA complexes, includ- the transition from mixed occupancy to elderly-only vi-
ing Stephen Crane Elderly, 815 N. 6th Street; Stephen able,
Crane Elderly Homes, 880 Franklin Avenue; Seth Boyden
Homes, 46 Evergreen Street; and Otto Kretchmer Homes,
100 Ludlow Street, is strictly for elderly occupancy. 1) Desiree Taylor of New Jersey Network interviews NHA
The NHA Executive Director reminded the audience of ‘Commissioner Ida Clark at the press conference.
more than 200 that differences in generational lifestyles 2) Seniors enjoy refreshments and the company of their
prerseisdeennttse.d severe impositions on the tranquility of older neighbors.
SNOTEWORTHY
The Newark Housing Authority can now provide access The NHA recently concluded its participation in the 2002
to NHA services to Newark residents with hearing Public Employee Charitable Campaign (PECC), with
disabilities. The NHA recently purchased and installed a employee contributions totaling $31,240 and 100 percent
TTD (Teletypewriter) Machine, which is currently departmental participation. This year's $20,000 goal was
operating in the NHA's Occupancy Departmenatn d is easily surpassed, once again reflecting employees’
expected to be installed in another NHA department soon. generosity and caring toward those who are in need of
social, medical and other vital services. Mike E.
Rodriguez and Maria T. Compara, Public Information
Newark Hou: g Authority HA'
500 Broad Street BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TNeelw: a(r9k7,3 ) N4J3 00.72140320 Zinweriord Smith, CFhraairnAm daunb ato© HaIrd©ao :l dCl arkDL, uocnasaV,i lcEdex eCcBhruaatdiilervype e rDsio©r ne c Ly© nellG loRorbiian Lso.nC a rtwright, Treasurer
FAX:[phone] . Published by the Newark Housing Authority + Department of Public Information March 2003
aight