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. . . organizational history & description

KHA Organizational History & Description

Mission Statement

The mission of the Keene Housing Authority is, directly or in collaboration with others, to provide for: decent, safe and affordable housing for individuals, families, elderly and disabled persons of low and moderate income within the Monadnock Region; and to provide and/or advocate for any and all services and programs that will assist in improving the social and economic welfare of such individuals and families.

History

Establishment: The Keene Housing Authority was created by resolution of the City Council for the city of Keene July 15, 1965 in accordance with Section 4 of Chapter 203, New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated. The stated mission of the authority was filling the need for “safe, sanitary dwelling accommodations for the elderly and persons of low-income in Keene”. Pursuant to this resolution the Mayor of Keene, in accordance with NHRSA 203:5, appointed five persons as Commissioners of the KHA, and these appointments have been made regularly in accordance with the law, through and including the present time. The Authority, as a duly created municipal agency of the city, derives extensive powers from RSA 203.8. Among these powers is the authority to:

  • Acquire, lease, manage, maintain or operate housing projects
  • Provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, and extension of housing projects or any part thereof.
  • Lease or rent any dwellings, houses, land, or buildings in any housing project.
  • Establish and revise the rents and other charges for use of the property.
  • Own, hold, and improve real or personal property.
  • Purchase, lease, obtain options upon, and acquire by gift any real or personal property.
  • Sell, lease exchange, transfer or dispose of any real or personal property.

Governance/Administration: The Authority is governed by a five person Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of the city of Keene. A list of the Board of Commissioners is attached. The Board is responsible for the hiring and supervision of the Executive Director, who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the agency. The authority has a staff of 40.

Housing and Supportive Services

Housing Management: At present the Keene Housing Authority owns or manages and maintains 522 units of elderly, disabled, family and market rent housing. These include the following:

Keene Affordable Housing Properties

  • Bennett Block, Keene, 14 units of effieiciency and 1 bedrooms elderly/disabled units in a 3 story elevator building (meal site)
  • Harper Acres, Keene, 112 units effiency, 1 and 2 bedroomof elderly/disabled units in walk-up style building (meal site)
  • Forest View Apartments, Keene, 38 units of townhouse style 2 and 3 bedroom apartments
  • North and Gilsum St Apartments, Keene, 29 units of townhouse style 3 and 4 bedroom apartments
  • Scattered Sites, Various 2 and 3 family homes scattered throughout Keene

Multifamily Section 8 Housing

  • Central Square Terrace, Keene, 90 efficiency and 1 bedroom units of elderly/disabled housing
  • Wedgewood Duplexes, Winchester, 30 2 and 3 bedroom duplex units
  • Meadow Road, Keene, 18 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse style apartments

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Properties

  • Riverbend Apts, West Swanzey, 24 units of 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse style apartments
  • Evergreen Knoll, West Swanzey, 32 units of 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse style apartments
  • Stone Arch Village Family housing, Keene, 24 units of 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse style apartments (meal site)

Community Development and Block Grant Properties

  • Cottage St, Keene, 3 units of housing owned and operated for Monadnock Family Services Clients
  • Chamberlain Block, 14 units of apartments in downtown Keene
  • Various commercial properties in Keene.

Additionally the KHA administers about 400 Section 8 Housing Assistance Coupons, which include homeownership vouchers, and 50 mainstream vouchers. KHA also operates numerous commercial properties rented to local businesses and non-profit organizations.

Moving To Work: In 1997 the KHA was selected as one of approximately 20 housing authorities nationwide to be part of a “Moving To Work” demonstration program. Participation in the program is required for all public housing and section 8 residents receiving Housing Assistance Coupons. Elderly or disabled persons may choose to participate. Under the Moving To Work program, rents are calculated according to a graduated step program.

As part of the Moving To Work program, the Resident Self Reliance Program assists public housing and Section 8 HAC residents in attaining self-sufficiency by providing connections to community resources and offering support in areas such as employment, education, homeownership, finances, and family and personal goals. The RSR program defines competencies for self sufficiency. These competencies outline the skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Each family's needs are identified during an initial assessment. The competencies a participant must work on are identified by the RSC and participant working together during the initial assessment. In order to be exempt from required activities, participants must demonstrate they have developed the skills associated with each competency. Competency categories include the core skill groups of financial management, employment, education and family planning in addition to the self-development groups of interpersonal skills, wellness, healthy relationships and household management. The program is uniquely tailored to the family's skills, resources and goals. Each family works to achieve competencies specific to their circumstances since the abilities and backgrounds of participants are diverse and one plan would not be suitable for all families.

There are 4 main program requirements participants must engage in to remain active in the Spectrum program and maintain their housing assistance:

  • Develop a financial plan
  • Participate in quarterly goal meetings
  • Participate in required skill development activities
  • Make reasonable progress toward ISTP goals

Youth Services

The BUILDING BRIDGES program uses several strategies to influence youth development, family and community to prevent juvenile delinquency. There are currently 44 youth enrolled in the program.The program is offered to all family residents living in public housing operated by the Keene Housing Authority at both Forest View and North Street housing communities. There is a Family Activity Center at each community from which the program operates. The center has been the hub of the community, attracting and encouraging positive interaction with all youth, adults and staff. Program components include:

  • Case management services for youth and their families
  • Daily after-school and summer program for youth ages 5 through 10 (open to all youth up to age 18)
  • Life skill workshops for teens and adults
  • Community events and improvement projects

Stone Arch Village Senior Supportive Services

Monadnock Collaborative and Stone Arch Village Senior housing established a Memorandum of Agreement to provide the following services to Stone Arch Senior residents:

  • Intale/screening of potential residents to determine: approriateness, ability to safely reside in this setting; in-home supports needed to maintain independent living
  • Referrals to secure needed services from local service providers
  • On-going care and service coordination for residents
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with regional service providers
  • Work closely with Service Link