Harrisonburg HRHA Board of Commissioners April Meeting Notice

Update: HRHA Board of Commissioners Meeting time has been moved from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Pursuant to Harrisonburg City Code Section 2-2-6, the City of Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority will hold a meeting on April 19, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. In the City Council Chambers, 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA.

The agenda will be posted at https://harrisonburg-va.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

Interested parties may watch the Council meeting, including the public hearing, on Public Education Government Channel 3 or on the City’s website, https://harrisonburg-va.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

HRHA Applicant, Resident, and Landlord Portal Now Open

We are happy to announce that our new portal is now live for applicants, residents, and landlords use. HRHA’s waitlist is now open and accepting new applications through the portal. To access the portal, click here.

We at HRHA would like to thank you for your patience during our transition to this new software. This software will better help applicants, residents, and landlords at HRHA. This software will allow online access to apply, update personal information, complete the application certification process, and pay rent. These new features will help improve client access, increase communication, and enhance ease for all its users.

HRHA Waiting List to Open March 1, 2022

We are excited to announce that HRHA will open up its waiting list and accept applications again on March 1.

We at HRHA would like to thank you for your patience during our transition to this new software. This software will better help residents, landlords, and service providers for HRHA. This software will allow online access to apply, update personal information, complete the application certification process, and pay rent. These new features will help improve client access, increase communication, and enhance ease for all its users.

 

Harrisonburg HRHA Board of Commissioners February Meeting Notice

Pursuant to Harrisonburg City Code Section 2-2-6, the City of Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority will hold a meeting on February 16, 2022 at 400 p.m. In the City Council Chambers, 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA.

Please note that in accordance with an Emergency Continuity of Governance Resolution adopted by City Council on January 11, 2022, members of the public are not permitted in Council Chambers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but are encouraged to participate and express their views electronically by emailing comments to  wongway@harrisonburgrha.com.

The agenda will be posted at https://harrisonburg-va.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

Interested parties may watch the Council meeting, including the public hearing, on Public Education Government Channel 3 or on the City’s website, https://harrisonburg-va.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

 

Harrisonburg HRHA Board of Commissioners January Meeting Notice

Pursuant to Harrisonburg City Code Section 2-2-6, the City of Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority will hold a meeting on January 18, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. In the City Council Chambers, 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA.

Please note that in accordance with an Emergency Continuity of Governance Resolution adopted by City Council on January 11, 2022, members of the public are not permitted in Council Chambers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but are encouraged to participate and express their views electronically by emailing comments to wongway@harrisonburgrha.com.

The agenda will be posted at https://harrisonburg-va.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

Interested parties may watch the Council meeting, including the public hearing, on Public Education Government Channel 3 or on the City’s website, https://harrisonburg-va.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

HRHA Waiting List to Temporarily Close December 1, 2021

Public Notice from HRHA Executive Director Michael Wong:

Effective December 1, 2021, HRHA’s waiting list will be closed due to software conversion and data migration issues.  We will continue to admit applicants from the current waitlist.

We are migrating to a new software which will provide residents, landlords, and service providers increased online access to apply, update their personal information, complete the application and certification process and pay rent.  We are excited about all the new features the software will provide which will hopefully improve client access, increase communication, and enhance ease of use for all involved.

We anticipate that the new client portal will be available March 1, 2022 and we will start accepting new applications at that time.  I apologize in advance for any issues closing our waiting list may present.

– HRHA Executive Director Michael Wong

(CLOSED) HRHA is Hiring! Maintenance Aid

Position Title:        Maintenance Aide

Reports To:            Facilities and Construction Manager

Function: Primary duties are to provide cleaning services at Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority offices and apartment complexes. Also to assist in other duties which include ground work, painting, and minor maintenance in dwelling units under the general supervision of a Maintenance Mechanic.

Duties And Responsibilities:

  • Cleaning – Lineweaver Building, Commerce Village, administrative offices and other buildings operated by the Housing Authority as needed.
  • Monitor the properties during the course of daily tasks, reporting to supervisor any items that need services of the maintenance department.
  • Supplies-responsible for keeping account of supplies and materials needed for job completion.
  • Grounds Maintenance – mowing, cleaning (trash pick up, etc.), weeding plants and flowers, pruning flowers.
  • Painting – ability to paint apartments and all common areas of apartment complex
  • Minor Maintenance repair – other maintenance work, as long as it is done under the supervision of the Maintenance Mechanic I.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Facilities and Construction Manager

Skills needed:

  • Ability to treat all residents with respect
  • Experienced in operating a variety of equipment including floor machines, lawn mowers, snow blowers and other small hand tools
  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Able to work with minimal supervision
  • Able to prioritize and complete tasks and follow specified procedures
  • Physically capable of lifting 50 pounds
  • Driving – must have valid driver’s license -able to drive, following all laws and safety rules

This is a part time position of 29 hours per week.

Hourly rate $11 to $12 or commensurate with experience

Applications available or deliver resume to:

Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Attn: Duane Bontrager

286 Kelley Street

Harrisonburg, Virginia

 

Or email resume to:  dbontrager@harrisonburgrha.com

HRHA Welcomes New Staff Members

This month we welcomed two new members to the HRHA team. After spending some time with their predecessors (Emily and Laura) Kim and Anton took over their roles early March 2021. Please join us in welcoming them to our team and, in Anton’s case, to our community as well.

Kim Haines – Community Development and Grant Coordinator

Kim grew up in Winchester and, after much moving around the country, was determined to return to the Shenandoah Valley. She moved to Harrisonburg in 1999 with her husband Jay Hotchkiss. They have a son, Jack, a daughter, Carson, and two dogs. She taught high school in Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer, has worked for many local nonprofits, and worked as a writer and editor, including for Virginia Business magazine. She currently serves on the board of Massanutten Regional Library and HHS Band Boosters.

 

 

Anton Overby – Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Administrator 

Anton comes to the Shenandoah Valley by way of New Orleans where he managed and analyzed data for the Algiers Charter group of schools from 2015 to 2020. He is excited to be part of the HRHA team because it provides him the privilege to use his nerdy talents to promote social justice and wellness in his newfound community. Firmly believing that the power in data lies in the people and relationships it represents, he looks forward to contributing to projects that bridge the gap from spreadsheets to the actual streets. In his spare time he likes tinkering with different computer languages, hanging out with his cat (Omar Little), cheering on the Saints, and cooking. Anyone reading this can consider it a direct invitation to a homemade pot of gumbo — just tell him when, where and how many he’s cooking for.

Farewell Emily and Laura!

While we are saddened to say goodbye to two incredible members of the HRHA team this month, we are excited for their next steps as they leave our agency. Emily and Laura have both been recognized in our community for their work on affordable housing and homelessness. We wish them both the best as they move on from HRHA. They will be missed! 

 

Emily McCarty has served as the Community Development and Grants Coordinator for HRHA for the past four years. She has ensured funding is appropriately requested and distributed for multiple HRHA and community initiatives. She even served informally as the executive editor for the HRHA newsletter and team lead on a variety of HRHA projects.

“I’ve worked with Emily for a number of years with the goal of using federal funding to make affordable housing more accessible in Harrisonburg. Emily has always been a pleasure to work with. She is thorough in her work, and has a genuine interest in helping those she works with and for. I’ll miss getting to work with her and I wish her all the best as she moves on from the HRHA.“

-Kristin McCombe, Community Development Block Grant Coordinator, City of Harrisonburg

Laura Black has served as the Homeless Management Information Systems Administrator since 2014. She has been behind the collection, training, compliance and reporting of homeless data for the region and coordinated the yearly homeless census for HUD. She is a self-described “data fairy” and has helped many of us understand how data can change the world. 

“When the Winchester Rescue Mission first got involved with the CoC, Laura Black was there every step of the way with guidance and understanding with all my questions; and I had a lot. Her heart for assisting others is evident to all of those who interact with her. I have come to know Laura as a friend and know that she is going to bless the lives of those she will be helping in her next adventure.”

– Vicki Culbreth, Winchester Rescue Mission

 

(CLOSED) HRHA is Hiring! Community Development and Grants Coordinator

Community Development and Grant Coordinator

Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Full-time
Salary: $37,000.00 to $45,561.00 /year

 

Apply on indeed.com

Position Description

Position Title: Community Development and Grant Coordinator

Reports To: Executive Director

Function: Provide administrative and project leadership in planning, developing, writing, and monitoring of the Authority’s grants, administrative plans, special projects, and community development initiatives. Activities include: directing and overseeing the Authority’s grant writing activities, grant coordination and grant operations, completing funding applications, ensures community development and grant activities meet all federal and state regulations, performs complex analysis of development projects, provides project management, program evaluation and reporting functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Ability to identify community needs and possible resources, develop comprehensive and concise applications for funding, monitor all of the Authority’s grants, and ensure all grant activities meet regulatory requirements. Knowledge of and experience in use of different online grant application systems needed.

2. Ability to work independently or in a team to analyze community development initiatives/projects, develops financials, budgets, and creates project action steps, and work schedules.

3. Knowledge and experience in interpreting complex federal regulations, state law and local ordinances in relationship to grant requirement and community development initiatives. Ability to multi-task, sequential activities, and guide grant sub-recipients on fund requirements.

4. Ability to analyze, evaluate, and write progress and summary reports, policies and procedures, and annual plans.

5. Ability to create and maintain effective relationships with other state, federal and local agencies, build local grant coalitions, and communicate effectively orally and written to a diverse population.

6. Completes other project as assigned.