Friday, September 24, 2010

HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY HONORS SOCIAL SERVICE PARTNERS WITH PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR THEIR WORLD CLASS DEDICATION TO MANKIND



Success of DHAP Program Largely Attributable to the Commitment of Partners
HOUSTON – The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) today honored five local social service agencies for their exceptional service and commitment to the implementation of the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Guy Rankin, CEO and executive director of the HCHA and the HCHA’s Board of Commissioners presented this esteemed award to Neighborhood Centers, Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Harris County Community Services Department, City of Houston’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Focused Care Project and Family Services of Greater Houston for their “World Class Dedication to Mankind.”

The HCHA partnered with each of these five social service agencies to provide essential social services and case management support to more than 6,500 families that participated in the DHAP Harris County Katrina/Rita program and case management services to more than 2,500 families in 41 states throughout the country through the housing authority’s national program for disasters DHAP USA.

“The unique care and support of the Harris County Housing Authority's leadership coupled with the DHAP Program’s focus on self-sufficiency enabled our case management efforts to soar,” said Carolyn Scantlebury, Project Manager with City of Houston’s Focused Care Project.

The DHAP Program has been instrumental in placing families into safe and sanitary housing following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and now Ike. The program is unique in that it encompasses a critical social services element so families could be given the tools needed to rely less on government assistance and more on themselves.

“We are so grateful to our amazing social service partners,” said Guy Rankin, CEO and Executive Director, Harris County Housing Authority. “Without their dedication and commitment to providing top-notch social services and case management to families in need, DHAP would not have been the success it is today.”

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Angela Blanchard, president and CEO, Neighborhood Centers, Inc. “Thousands of people relied on the DHAP program and the efforts of case management staff to get back on their feet and reach permanent self-sufficiency. Our team was privileged to work with the HCHA as a part of this amazing effort.”

About the Harris County Housing Authority
The Harris County Housing Authority operates housing-choice voucher programs and family self-sufficiency programs for more than 4,100 families of Harris County. It also has developed seven senior affordable housing developments and one single-family neighborhood. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has given the Authority its highest performance rating for six years in a row. For more information visit: www.hchatexas.org.

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