Contact:
Christina M. Hardin
Chief of Community Relations, DSHA
Phone: (302) 739-4263
Email: Christina@destatehousing.com
NCSHA Recognizes State Rental Assistance Program with National Award
November 4, 2013 (Dover, DE) – Delaware’s State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) received national attention last week when it was honored with an Award for Program Excellence during the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) 2013 Annual Conference & Showplace in New Orleans, LA. This year’s conference was attended by more than 900 affordable housing industry professionals.
The purpose of SRAP is to assist low-income individuals who require affordable housing and supportive services to live safely and independently in the community. SRAP provides rental assistance to particularly vulnerable populations – people exiting or at risk of admission to state long-term care institutions, youth exiting foster care, and families for whom housing is a barrier to reunification. The program was officially launched in December, 2011 and has assisted nearly 300 individuals and families find and maintain housing in communities of their choice.
Governor Jack Markell stated, “It’s great to see Delaware’s efforts recognized nationally. Our state agencies are clearly demonstrating what we can achieve when we work together to help more individuals live independently. The rental assistance program is a shining example of an initiative that is giving more people a chance to live in a community and increase their quality of life.”
“We are honored that NCSHA chose SRAP as a Program of Excellence. Our goal is to provide the foundation of a stable home where individuals have access to continuing home- and community-based services,” said DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi. “They are able to live independently with safe, long-term housing and the appropriate services necessary to succeed.”
Now in its 29th year, the NCSHA Annual Awards for Program Excellence was created to identify and elevate industry best practices as well as encourage continued Housing Finance Agency (HFA) innovation.
“These awards are presented annually to honor the best work of HFAs nationwide,” said Brian A. Hudson, NCSHA president and executive director of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. “The NCSHA Annual Conference provides an outstanding platform to showcase award winners and entries in order to exchange best practices within the HFA community,” Hudson continued. “The ongoing ability to share information with each other enables all HFAs to be even more successful in achieving our common mission of providing affordable housing for those who need it.”
About the Delaware State Housing Authority
The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it also serves as a Public Housing Authority and acts as a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own, and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call: (888) 363-8808 or visit our website at: www.destatehousing.com.
Seated Left to Right: Matthew Heckles, Anas Ben Addi, Gary Hecker
Standing Left to Right: Christina Hardin, Patricia Conley, Susan Eliason, Cynthia Karnai, and Cynthia Deakyne
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