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Housing Authority gets high ranking

For close to 20 years, the Williams Housing Authority has been helping low-income people in the area find a place to live or fix up their own homes.

During 2000, the organization was inspected and surveyed to see just how good of a housing authority they are and they excelled, said Deborah Beals, executive director.

“We received a 91.2 percent,” she said. “That means we’re a high performing public housing authority.”

Beals went on to say the housing authority in town is the only one in northern Arizona to get that high of a ranking.

“We’re pretty proud of it,” she said. “It’s definitely a team effort that gives you this kind of scoring. I think we have a great team.”

The housing authority was ranked by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a federal program that helps provide housing and other programs for lower-income families. Criteria for the rating included the physical condition of Willliams' two public housing developments, financial records, management and resident satisfaction.

“The housing authority’s mission is to provide excellent affordable housing opportunities for qualified persons through effective management, excellent customer service and wise stewardship of public funds,” Beals said. “Our purpose is to improve living standards throughout the community.”

Williams Housing Authority is a local government agency that was formed by Williams City Council in 1981 to provide housing assistance to people in need.

The agency offers three programs in town:

• 30 units of subsidized public housing.

• 37 Section 8 vouchers. These help low income families by paying a portion of their rent.

“We have 81 people on our Section 8 waiting list,” Beals said. “So we feel there is a substantial need for more affordable housing.”

• Homeowner occupied rehabilitation. This program is funded under the Arizona HOME and Housing Trust Funds and by matching funds from the City of Williams.

“Since 1995, we have rehabilitated 24 homes, at an average cost per home of $25,000,” Beals said.

This year the rehab program is scheduled to receive $300,000 in funding, she said.

Another ongoing project is the formation of a non-profit organization called Williams Housing Solutions. This project will look at exactly what this town needs and what people want, Beals said

“On April 2nd we’re filing an application for a 56-unit low income housing unit,” Beals said. “What we want is to build what the community needs.”

Beals said the housing authority is currently looking at land for the new housing development but is waiting to purchase until the application is approved.

In September 1985, the first 20 low income housing units were completed on South Sixth Street. It was 1987 that 10 additional units were added on East Fulton Avenue.

“A high percentage of our residents are members of the working poor — they are employed in jobs that do not provide sufficient income to fully support their families,” Beals said.

Anyone with income below 80 percent of the area median income, by family size is income-qualified for public housing and the owner occupied rehabilitation program. Persons who have income below 50 percent of the area median, by family size, qualify for Section 8. For Coconino County the median income is $45,500 for a family of four.

People interested in letting the housing authority know their lodging problems can attend a meeting set for 2 p.m. on Feb. 9.

“We’re going to have a public meeting to talk about housing,” Beals said. “That will give people a chance to tell us what they need.”

Beals said because the housing authority is a provider of service for low income families and individuals, it is always looking for ways to improve the quality of life and economic opportunities available to clients. As part of this goal, the housing authority also has two computers in its office so housing authority residents can have access to computers and the internet during office hours.

Staff also used HUD grant funds to help establish the Citizens Against Substance Abuse Life Skills Program, an after school program aimed at helping kids avoid drugs and alcohol.

“We have also set a goal of employing our clients to the greatest extent possible,” Beals said. “As of Dec. 31, we employed three residents in part-time jobs.

“We hope that the skills gained in these jobs can be leveraged into full time employment in Williams.”

Recently, three long-time employees were given awards — Beals and Debbie Fuller, public housing manager, on the job since 1990; and John Crain, maintenance foreman, employed there since 1992. Beals said there is also one Williams citizen who has always supported the organization.

“Our chairman, Edgar Brown, has been involved with the housing authority since day one,” Beals said. “Chairman Brown’s length of service and dedication to the housing authority have been an incredible asset.”


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