2002 Moving To new Ways Annual Report

2002 was a busy and successful year

SHA undertook several major initiatives during the year, including:

• Reorganization of housing management from the ground up to return to managing nine portfolios of like properties together, instead of a geographically-based organizational structure.
   

• Reorganization of the financial reporting system to match the new portfolio management structure. New property- and portfolio-specific monthly financial monitoring reports were created, modeled on typical monitoring reports from the private sector.
   

• Creation of the "Maintenance Mechanic" position. SHA worked with its unions to develop a new position, maintenance mechanic, which combines routine tasks of several trades. Many repairs used to require two or three trades people and several trips. These can now be done by one person in one visit. Forty-five existing maintenance staff were converted or hired into this position and trained.
   

• Energy conservation measures to save over $1 million annually in utility costs to the housing authority and residents. Over 2,800 toilets were replaced with water-saving models (another 3,200 are to be replaced in fiscal year 2003). Over 2,800 light fixtures were replaced with energy-efficient fixtures in Seattle Senior Housing Program buildings. The hydronic heating system at Jefferson Terrace was repaired and upgraded. Over 2,500 windows at Yesler Terrace were replace with high-performance vinyl windows. 

 

An old, leaky toilet being replaced
With financial support from Seattle Public Utilities, SHA replaced 2,800 toilets with water-saving models.  The project was only half complete in FY 2002, and already SHA has saved over $100,000.

Several milestones in community revitalization were reached:

• Westwood Heights, SHA's first public housing high-rise designated for seniors re-opened in December 2001 after a comprehensive renovation.
   

• A site was selected, with resident participation, for the new Yesler Terrace Community Center.
   

• Beacon Tower and Olive Ridge exterior replacement projects were completed.
   

• The NewHolly Elder Village was completed with 318 housing units for seniors with a range of services needs and income levels.
   

• The last of the 148 for-sale units in phase I of NewHolly sold during the year.  Construction began on 51 for-sale units at NewHolly phase II.  

Information technology projects included:

• Creation of a five-year IT strategic plan;
   

• Preparation for a document imaging pilot project to move paper files to computers to improve productivity in processing paperwork;
   

• Completion of a "time and attendance project," which assessed the feasibility of going to a computer-based time-keeping system;
   

• Redesign of SHA's Web site; and 
   

• Replacement of SHA's computer network, including hardware and software to move to Windows 2000 and to bring Seattle Senior Housing buildings into the SHA network.

Housing Resources

During FY 2002, SHA:

• Received 717 new Housing Choice Vouchers from the federal government;
   

• Purchased 93 units of affordable housing, of which 39 will count toward HOPE VI replacement housing goals;
   

• Had 130 more units under contract for purchase at the end of the fiscal year, of which 103 will count toward replacement housing goals for HOPE VI and other commitments;
   

• As Impact Property Services, assumed management of Kateri House, an 8-unit building owned by Seattle Indian Health Board, and Shirley Bridge Bungalows, a 6-unit cottage development owned by AIDS Housing of Washington.  Both are for people with disabilities.
   

• Transferred ownership of the Morrison to the Downtown Emergency Service Center.
   

• Demolished the last of the old Holly Park units, and began infrastructure work for the construction of 163 new public housing units and 56 tax credit units.

Performance Indicators

During MTW, HUD monitors SHA performance on the basis of the MTW Annual Report, in lieu of regular HUD assessment systems. Here is a summary of performance over the past fiscal year.  

• Vacancy rates remained low:  the public housing vacancy rate was 2.3 percent; Section 8 New Construction was 1.7 percent; and the Seattle Senior Housing Program was 1.9 percent.
   

• SHA collected 97.9 percent of rent due in public housing.
   

• SHA responded within 30 days to 94 percent of regular work order requests received from residents of SHA communities; the third year of a trend of significantly improved performance in this area.
   

• Impact Property Services began leaving Customer Service survey cards with residents to assess customer satisfaction.  Maintenance staff welcomed the positive feedback of 96 percent over­all customer satisfaction.
   

• SHA completed 100 percent of required inspections in public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program.
   

• SHA used 100 percent of the funds available in the Housing Choice Voucher program.
   

• In February, a survey was sent to 970 SSHP households. 567 (58 percent) surveys were returned. In general, residents expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their housing, giving SSHP an A- or B+ for building management and maintenance, safety and security and the overall quality of the program. 

Each July during Moving to new Ways, SHA adopts an annual plan that describes activities planned for the following fiscal year. Click here for information on SHA's Fiscal Year 2004 Annual Moving to new Ways Plan.

For more information about SHA's annual report or the Moving To new Ways program, contact Andria Lazaga at alazaga@seattlehousing.org or (206) 615-3546.