Aurora Housing Authority / Newsroom

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Linda Jaster
720 .251 .2067ljaster@aurorahousing.org

AURORA HOUSING AUTHORITY WINS NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 – The Aurora (Colo.) Housing Authority (AHA) has won a national award honoring superior assisted housing and community development programs. The AHA won in the Program Innovation: Community Revitalization category for the Aurora Community Reinvestment Plan.

The 2008 Award of Excellence comes from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), and will be officially presented on Oct. 28 at NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas. The AHA is one of 23 programs nationwide to receive the 2008 award, out of an original pool of 188 applicants.

Beginning in 2004, the AHA set out to address the need for multi-family construction in Aurora. According to a Housing Needs Assessment, no new multi-family construction occurred between 1960 and 2001. The study also indicated that 4,000 new units of housing per year would be needed. The AHA began a systematic approach to acquiring, renovating, preserving or building affordable housing. The AHA began by reinvesting in its own properties and by creating opportunities for building or acquiring other affordable developments. By breaking away from its role as an 'old fashioned' public housing authority, the AHA preserved 271 units of project-based Section 8 housing; built 68 new tax credit units; entered into limited partnerships with for-profit developers to newly construct or renovate 359 tax credit units; reinvested in its own properties through tax credits partnerships and grants to upgrade 210 units; and formed alliances with other non-profits to preserve 140 units of special needs housing.

"Dreams have become reality through commitment, passion and innovation of NAHRO professionals who are increasing opportunities in their communities," said NAHRO President Renée Rooker. "Our Awards of Excellence program recognizes their accomplishments as the best across our nation and they are truly making a difference in communities and the people who live there."

Aurora Housing Authority wins "People's Choice" award at AAMD Chili Cook-off

October 11, 2008 – Aurora Housing Authority, participating with Resident Data (http://www.residentdata.com/) won the People’s Choice award for red chili at the Apartment Association of Metro Denver’s 9th Annual Chili Cook-off. The booth presented a “Zorro” theme, complete with black masks and swords. Green and red chili were prepared by award-winning cooks and AHA employees Steve Garceo and Roberta Olmos, respectively. Also participating were Meera Dane and Esmeralda Garcia with AHA, and Amy Johnson of Resident Data.

This family-friendly event was held from noon to 4 p.m. at RediCarpet in Aurora. In addition to the many fun-themed individual booths there was also a Kids Zone including a Jumping Castle, a Haunted Path, a professional Fire Eater, Face Painters, Clowns, and a Stilt Walker.

In addition to the “Best Red” and “Best Green” chili categories voted on by participants were the “Most Unusual but Edible,” and “Hottest.” Examples of “Most Unusual” macaroni and cheese chili as well as a “Philly Cheesesteak” chili. AHA’s winning red chili revealed an unusual velvety sauce with tasty pork and orange, whereas the crowd-favorite green had an endorphin-rush of heat and flavor. Also popular were the special recipe “orange margaritas” available to the adult public.

Click the following link to see pictures from the event http://www.flickr.com/photos/aamd. Check page 3 for a picture of the award winning team and chili.

Congratulations on the award!

AURORA HOUSING AUTHORITY RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD OF MERIT FOR PROGRAM INNOVATION-COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION

Aurora, CO August 8, 2008 – Aurora Housing Authority has been named a 2008 recipient of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Award of Merit for its work in Program Innovation – Community Revitalization. The award was presented at the NAHRO Summer Conference in Nashville, TN, July 25, 2008.

The award recognizes outstanding achievement in housing and community development programs through the nation. Program Innovation-Community Revitalization includes innovative use of programs in areas such as economic development, neighborhood preservation, and creative financing.

Between 2004 and 2006 AHA created, preserved, and reinvested in 1,048 units to provide decent, safe, and sustainable housing available to the lowest income residents of the community (those at ≤ 30% AMI). Over 40% of the 1,048 units house those at ≤ 30% AMI and overall over 3,500 people were affected. AHA participation in the community’s revitalization efforts increased the City’s portfolio of affordable units by 745 within the 3-year period.

“NAHRO members have been innovative in their solutions to address resident services, operations, housing development, and economic development in their communities,” said NAHRO President Renee Rooker. “They have taken advantage of opportunities and we are proud to recognize their achievements.”

The 2008 NAHRO Awards of Merit recognize outstanding achievement in housing and community development programs in five categories: Administrative Innovation, Program Innovation-Affordable Housing, Program Innovation-Community Revitalization, Program Innovation-Resident and Client Services, Project Design.

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials is a 74-year-old membership organization of 3,200 housing and community development agencies and 19,500 professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low-and moderate-income. NAHRO ensures that housing and community development professionals have the leadership skills and education to serve communities; advocates for appropriate laws and policies; and foster the highest standards of ethical behavior, service and accountability.

AURORA HOUSING AUTHORITY ACHIEVES 100% SEMAP SCORE

Aurora Housing Authority has received a 100% High Performer rating for the FY2007 Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP). This is the third year in a row that AHA has achieved this rating.

The Section Eight Management Assessment Program measures the performance of the public housing agencies (PHAs) that administer the housing choice voucher program in 14 key areas. They are:

Proper selection of applicants from the housing choice voucher waiting list
Sound determination of reasonable rent for each unit leased
Establishment of payment standards within the required range of the HUD fair market rent
Accurate verification of family income
Timely annual reexaminations of family income
Correct calculation of the tenant share of the rent and the housing assistance payment
Maintenance of a current schedule of allowances for tenant utility costs
Ensure units comply with the housing quality standards before families enter into leases and PHAs enter into housing assistance contracts
Timely annual housing quality inspections
Performing of quality control inspections to ensure housing quality
Ensure that landlords and tenants promptly correct housing quality deficiencies
Ensure that all available housing choice vouchers are used
Expand housing choice outside areas of poverty or minority concentration
Enroll families in the family self-sufficiency (FSS) program as required and help FSS families achieve increases in employment income.

AURORA HOUSING AUTHORITY WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Aurora Housing Authority (AHA) staff and supporters gathered to welcome Craig A. Maraschky, the new executive director of AHA, at a reception at the 1st Ave Residences Thursday, March 27.

Maraschky presented a commemorative plaque to Linda Jaster in recognition of her service as interim AHA executive director.

Maraschky has 15 year’s experience in the affordable housing community and most recently served as the founding executive director of the Douglas County Housing Partnership where he helped start up many programs and operations.

Previously he served the Adams County Housing Authority as Manger of Planning and Operations. There, he oversaw program operations and development of single and multifamily housing inventory.

Maraschky earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University and his Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Colorado. In addition he is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and also certified as a Housing Development Financial Professional by the National Development Council.

Aurora Housing Authority Announces New Executive Director

Craig A. Maraschky has been named the new executive director of Aurora Housing Authority effective February 11, 2008.

Maraschky has 15 years of experience in the affordable housing community and most recently served as the founding executive director of the Douglas County Housing Partnership where he helped start-up many programs and operations.

Maraschky’s background includes redevelopment, refinancing and management of a diversified multifamily housing portfolio, in addition to public housing, Housing Choice Voucher program, Community Development Block Grant, HOME, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Mortgage Revenue Bonds. Maraschky also served as a vice president of the Aurora Housing Corporation Board of Directors.

He served the Adams County Housing Authority as Manger of Planning and Operations. There, he oversaw program operations and development of single and multifamily housing inventory.

Subsequent to five years of military service, Maraschky was executive director for Rutland West Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. in Rutland, Vermont; Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager, City of Thornton, CO, and Housing Administrator for Arapahoe County.

Two Top Awards for AHA at Vail Conference

The Aurora Housing Authority won two of the top awards at the Preston Prince 19th Annual Housing Colorado NOW! Conference in Vail Oct. 1- 4.

AHA received the prestigious Eagle award for outstanding leadership and accomplishments related to affordable housing and supportive services in Colorado. The agency also received the People’s Choice Award, which was created in 1999 as an opportunity for conference attendees to evaluate cutting edge work in the affordable housing field.

The 19th Annual Housing Colorado NOW Conference, Colorado's premier affordable housing event, attracted over 500 housing Preston Prince professionals to Vail, October 1-4. The four-day conference featured keynote presentations from national experts, a Colorado Public Policy panel, over 30 juried workshops on best practices and housing trends, and exhibits.