From Lori Brockman, Communications Officer, (503) 655-8752

Date:  2-3-10

Media and related parties

Housing Authority of Clackamas County receives high marks from HUD

The Housing Authority of Clackamas County recently received high marks from HUD for properly maintaining its public housing properties.  Many of the HACC public housing properties were built in the 1930s, and maintenance of older properties is no small undertaking.

HUD maintains quality control of the thousands of properties and units under its purview through annual property evaluations performed by the Real Estate Assessment Center.  Through REAC, inspectors use a very detailed, standardized checklist to evaluate randomly selected properties.

REAC inspectors look at all aspects of the housing units, inside and out.  Emphasis is given to life and safety items, such as whether or not all smoke detectors are in working order.  Inspectors review accessibility standards and rate living conditions including cleanliness of units and condition of paint, functionality of cabinets, door thresholds, windows, gutters and sidewalks.

HACC public housing developments received the following high scores (maximum score is 100 with reductions made for findings that do not meet standards):

• Clackamas County HA (scattered sites): 99
• Clackamas Heights: 98
• Hillside Manor: 98
• Oregon City View Manor: 95
• Hillside Park: 98

"It is important for citizens to have access to decent, affordable, safe housing," said Clackamas County Commissioner Ann Lininger.  "National studies point to the relationship between stable public housing and its long-term effects on employment, raised earnings and reduced dependence on welfare."

In addition to Public Housing, HACC received a perfect score of 100% for fiscal year 2009 under HUD's Section Eight Management Assessment Program.  SEMAP enables HUD to better manage the Section 8 tenant-based program by identifying Housing Authority capacilities and deficiencies related to the administration of the Section 8 program.  Indicators that are rated to determine the score include reasonable rent, Housing Quality Standards, expanding housing opportunities and timely annual re-examinations.

Such high scores are commendable given the funding cuts, heavy case loads, the rapid process improvement and system changes facing the HACC.  "I'm proud of our staff for their efforts," said Trell Anderson, Executive Director of the HACC.  "They work diligently to provide these housing programs with shrinking resources."

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The Housing Authority of Clackamas County is a division of the Health, Housing and Human Services department, which promotes and assists individuals, families and communities to be healthy, safe, and thrive.  H3S provides a broad spectrum of services for low income and vulnerable residents and addresses public health issues for the entire county.  To learn more, please visit our web site at http://www.clackamas.us/dhs

For more information, media may call Lori Brockman at (503) 655-8572 (office) or 503-307-7545 (cell).