THE SAM McKAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM


The Scholarship Program was created to honor Sam’s commitment and dedication to the Commissioners and Commissioners’ Training  Programs in the Louisiana Housing Council, Southwest NAHRO and National NAHRO. Many executive directors have joined in supporting and contributing to the scholarship fund and helping to make it a successful program.

The Scholarship is awarded as a part of Southwest NAHRO’S Scholarship Program, based on competitive academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, and community involvement.

The contributions made by Commissioners and with the help of the Executive Directors ensure Sam McKay Scholarship will be successful.  With your help, this can be a “GREAT YEAR” for the program. As in previous years the names of agencies and individual Commissioners and the Executive Directors who contribute will appear in the SWRC’s  Annual Conference Program.  We hope to have several pages! Your contributions of  $ 5.00 for each Commissioner and Executive Director should be sent to:

Mel Scott
Commissioner, Sulphur Housing  Authority,
703 Kingswood Dr.
Sulphur, Louisiana 70665.

Please do not send cash, and make one check for the total contribution from your agency.

Please Make Checks Payable to "Southwest NAHRO"

Click Here for more information.

HUD MAKES FUNDS AVAILABLE TO HOUSING AGENCIES WITH SECTION 8 DIFFICULTIES

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is today advising all public housing agencies that administer HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program that additional funds have been made available to help them address funding shortfalls that may limit them from serving families participating in their HCV rental assistance programs. HUD issued this guidance to minimize the impact on families and prevent terminating housing vouchers.

"I know from experience how much of a challenge it is to manage this important program, especially during a recession," said Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez, who heads HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing. "It was only a few months ago that I was an executive director, and now I stand as a partner with my former colleagues so that we can work through this funding challenge together to continue helping families who need support to live in affordable housing." Prior to joining HUD, Henriquez spent 13 years as the Executive Director of the Boston Housing Authority. More>>

NO SMOKING IN PUBLIC HOUSING?
PIH Notice 2009-21

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently issued a notice urging Public Housing Authorities to implement non-smoking policies in some or all of their public housing units. This concern was recently addressed by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, P.L. 111-31, signed by the President on June 22, 2009.

By reducing the public health risks associated with tobacco use, this notice will enhance the effectiveness of the Department’s efforts to provide increased public health protection for residents of public housing.

PHAs are permitted and strongly encouraged to implement a non-smoking policy at their discretion, subject to state and local law. Some PHAs have established smoke-free buildings. Some PHAs have continued to allow current residents who smoke to continue to do so, but only in designated areas and only until lease renewal or a date established by the PHA. Some PHAs are prohibiting smoking for new residents. More>>