Wilmington Housing Authority

Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE

WILMINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY PREPARES TO OPEN SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM WAITING LIST FOR FIRST TIME IN OVER THREE YEARS

Wilmington, NC December 2, 2011

The Wilmington Housing Authority announces it will be accepting applications for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program Waiting List for the first time in over three years. Beginning Monday, December 5, 2011, applications will be available to those interested in applying to be placed on the Section 8 Waiting List. Applications are available at numerous places throughout New Hanover County including WHA’s website at www.wha.net and its central offices. For a complete list of where applications are available, please refer again to the WHA’s website.

Applicants are reminded that no applications will be accepted at any Wilmington Housing Authority office. All applications must be mailed and postmarked no later than December 24, 2011. Applications will be selected by way of a lottery system. As such, order of receipt has no bearing on whether an application will be selected for the waiting list. The lottery will be held in early January 2012 at WHA’s central offices. Applicants need not attend the lottery as they will be notified in writing whether or not they have been placed on the waiting list.

Michael Krause, Chief Executive Officer of the Wilmington Housing Authority, says, “We are excited to again open our Section 8 Waiting List so that we can continue to further our mission by providing more affordable housing options to families in need. We have developed an application process that affords every interested applicant the opportunity to apply by mail only. By randomly selecting the applications received for placement on the waiting lists, we are assured that the process is equitable.”

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

Wilmington Housing Authority Wins Nearly $250,000
Emergency Safety & Security Funds HUD Grant

The Wilmington, NC Housing Authority has been awarded $248,243 in competitive grant funds by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Wilmington, NC – September 23, 2010 -- 438 Wilmington families will enjoy increased security as a result of an award of competitive funds to the Wilmington Housing Authority. Nearly a quarter of a million dollars will be spent to install video surveillance systems in the Houston Moore, Rankin Place Terrace, and Creekwood South neighborhoods.

Emergency Safety & Security Funds are eligible for use in combating rising crime rates and drug related criminal activity in public housing developments. While the Housing Authority has a variety of systems in place to deter crime, such as a $158,000/year contract with the Wilmington Police Department for supplemental security services, the lack of a comprehensive video surveillance system in these neighborhoods has proven a significant obstacle in the efforts of both agencies.

Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous says, “We were happy to assist the Housing Authority with its grant application and look forward to the installation of technology that is proven to both prevent crimes and help identify and capture those within our population who exhibit gross disregard for our laws and law enforcement officers.” "In addition to serving as a deterrent of major crimes, these camera systems will help minimize nuisance crimes that may prevent residents from enjoying an otherwise peaceful neighborhood", says WHA Chief Executive Officer, Michael J. Krause.

About the Wilmington Housing Authority:
The Wilmington Housing Authority was established in 1937. In addition to providing housing for 977 families in apartments directly owned and managed by the Housing Authority, an additional 244 units of affordable rental units are provided through various partnerships. As well, the Housing Authority is currently overseeing the construction of 63 affordable apartments and houses. Additionally, the Authority administers 1,823 Housing Choice Vouchers to ensure affordability of privately owned and managed rental units.

Contact:

Michael J. Krause, Chief Executive Officer
Wilmington Housing Authority
910-341-7700, ext. 243
m.krause@wha.net
http://www.wha.net

"Wilmington Housing Authority Receives $13.0 Million Tax Credit Award "

The Wilmington, NC Housing Authority has been awarded $13,000,000 in federal low income housing tax credits by the North Carolina Housing and Finance Agency (NCHFA).

Wilmington, NC -- August 16, 2010 -- 138 Wilmington families will enjoy living in a newly renovated public housing community to be modernized with proceeds from a $13.0 million tax credit award. Sixty apartments have already received substantial interior renovations at the housing complex with funding provided through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The tax credit award represents the maximum award allowed and the largest single tax credit grant awarded in North Carolina this year.

Due to the present state of the Housing and Finance markets, the tax credit award is expected to net WHA approximately $9.1 million in construction funds. Gap financing will be provided by the Wilmington Housing Authority and an additional loan from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. Construction is expected to begin in 2011. The project will be accomplished in phases so as to minimally disrupt the community.

WHA Chairperson Debra Hays says, “Once again, the Wilmington Housing Authority has proven a formidable player when it comes to securing competitive funds for the citizens of Wilmington and New Hanover County.” "These funds will breathe new life into Creekwood South", says WHA Chief Executive Officer, Michael J. Krause. “This award allows us to modernize an aging but otherwise viable property, replace deteriorating infrastructure, and build to modern code standards.”

Creekwood South will include 2, 3, and 4-bedroom apartments that will be home to as many as 1,320 residents.

About the Wilmington Housing Authority:

The Wilmington Housing Authority was established in 1937. Prior projects initiated by WHA include 130 single family homes at Sunset South, 48 units of affordable family housing at The Pointe at Taylor Estates, 96 affordable apartments at Robert R. Taylor Senior Homes, and 48 townhomes at New Brooklyn Homes at Taylor Estates (currently under construction).

Contact:

Michael J. Krause, Chief Executive Officer
Wilmington Housing Authority
910-341-7700, ext. 243

m.krause@wha.net

"Wilmington Developer of Affordable Housing Announces Groundbreaking Ceremony"

Housing and Economic Opportunities, Inc. (HEO), a Wilmington, NC based developer of affordable housing announces groundbreaking ceremony date for the New Brooklyn Homes at Robert R. Taylor Estates apartment community. HEO is a non-profit subsidiary of the Wilmington Housing Authority.

Wilmington, NC – March 04, 2010 – Construction will soon commence on a $6.2 million affordable housing community, announced officials of Wilmington-based Housing and Economic Opportunities, Inc. (HEO).
A groundbreaking ceremony for New Brooklyn Homes at Robert R. Taylor Estates is scheduled for
March 26, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the old Taylor Homes public housing site located in the 1400 block of North 4th Street. Dignitaries from the federal, state and local governments have been invited to attend. Mike Krause, President of Housing and Economic Opportunities and Chief Executive Officer of the Wilmington Housing Authority, said, “Breaking ground on this ambitious construction project in these economic times is a testament to the ability of HEO and WHA to advance the interests of affordable housing in our community. New Brooklyn Homes at Robert R. Taylor Estates will generate scores of job opportunities for the next nine months and creates modern, affordable, and safe housing for those who suffer the most during times of economic difficulty.”

New Brooklyn Homes at Robert R. Taylor Estates will include 48 apartments with two, three, and
four-bedrooms that will be home to as many as 240 low income residents. The property will feature mature oak trees, plentiful parking, a community building, and architectural features that will be a natural extension of the Fourth Street corridor. HEO hopes to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the apartments by incorporating innovative design, renewable solar energy, sub-surface water retention systems, and green building technologies. Financing for New Brooklyn Homes at Robert R. Taylor Estates was made possible, in part, by the
City of Wilmington and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

About Housing and Economic Opportunities, Inc.:

Housing and Economic Opportunities, Inc. was established by the Wilmington Housing Authority in 1998. Prior HEO projects include 130 single family homes at Sunset South, 48 units of affordable family housing at The Pointe at Taylor Estates, and 96 affordable apartments at Robert R. Taylor Senior Homes.

Contact:
Michael J. Krause, Chief Executive Officer
Wilmington Housing Authority
910-341-7700, ext. 243
m.krause@wha.net
http://www.wha.net

“WILMINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY AWARDED TWO GRANTS TOTALING $772,848”

$508,800 - YouthBuild Grant from the U. S. Department of Labor to assist young people, ages 16-24, with education and training. The YouthBuild program will afford out-of-school youths an opportunity to obtain their diplomas or GEDs while providing occupational training in the construction industry. In addition, the youths will acquire leadership skills, participate in community service, and renovate affordable housing within our communities.

$264,048 - 50 Section 8 Vouchers from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide rental assistance to non-elderly persons with disabilities. These vouchers are needed to house non-elderly disabled families that otherwise would have been housed if not for the preferences for, or restricted occupancy to, a development for elderly families only.

We appreciate the opportunity these grants will afford the Authority and look forward to working closely with our community partners as we continue to pursue our mission of providing socio-economic opportunities and quality, affordable housing choices to the population we serve.

Contact:
Michael J. Krause, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer
Wilmington Housing Authority
June 23, 2009

"Wilmington Developer of Affordable Housing Receives $6.7 Million Tax Credit Award"

Housing and Economic Opportunities, Inc. (HEO), a Wilmington, NC based developer of affordable housing has been awarded $6,764,000 in federal low income housing tax credits by the North Carolina Housing and Finance Agency (NCHFA). HEO is a non-profit subsidiary of the Wilmington Housing Authority.
Wilmington, NC -- August 07, 2009 -- 48 Wilmington families will enjoy living in a new public housing community to be built with proceeds from a $6.7 million tax credit award. The new development, tentatively named Taylor West, is the final phase of replacement housing for the 276 unit
Robert R. Taylor public housing complex that once occupied the site in the 1400 block of North Fourth Street near downtown Wilmington.

Due to the present state of the Housing and Finance markets, the tax credit award is expected to net HEO approximately $5 million in construction funds. Gap financing will be provided by the Wilmington Housing Authority, additional funding from NCHFA, and a $300,000 loan from the City of Wilmington. Construction will begin in early 2010.

HEO Chairperson Deborah Hays says, “HEO’s ability to repeatedly win tax credit awards demonstrates our capacity to work hand-in-hand with the Wilmington Housing Authority in an effort to meet the affordable housing needs in New Hanover County.” "No one does more to advance affordable housing interests in Wilmington than the WHA family of companies", says WHA Chief Executive Officer and HEO President, Michael J. Krause. “This award allows us to increase the number of safe, decent, and affordable rental units in the region and modernize our aging portfolio of properties.”

Taylor West will include 2, 3, and 4-bedroom apartments that will be home to as many as 240 residents. The property will feature mature oak trees, plentiful parking, a community building, and architectural features that will be a natural extension of the Fourth Street corridor.

About Housing and Economic Opportunities, Inc.:

Housing and Economic Opportunities, Inc. was established by the Wilmington Housing Authority in 1998. Prior HEO projects include 130 single family homes at Sunset South, 48 units of affordable family housing at The Pointe at Taylor Estates, and 96 affordable apartments at Robert R. Taylor Senior Homes.

Contact:
Michael J. Krause, Chief Executive Officer
Wilmington Housing Authority
910-341-7700, ext. 241
m.krause@wha.net
http://www.wha.net