FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 1, 2004

Contact:  Vanessa L. Rockovich, Executive Director

(814) 432-3416

Fax:  (814) 432-5793

hacf@usachoice.net

HUD NAMES FRANKLIN HOUSING AUTHORITY A "HIGH PERFORMER"

The Authority received a 93 in a public housing assessment and a 97 on Section 8 management.

Franklin, PA -- The Franklin Housing Authority has been designated as a high performer by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for management of its housing programs.

HUD awarded the authority a public housing assessment system score of 93 and a Section 8 management assessment program score of 97 for 2003.

The public housing assessment system measures public housing authorities in terms of the physical condition of its properties, its financial condition, management operations and resident satisfaction.

The authority manages and operates 61 apartments at Colonial Manor and 40 townhouse apartments for families.

The Section 8 management system assesses performance based on several factors, including reasonable rent, expanding housing opportunities and family self-sufficiency.  The authority manages 128 Section 8 tenant-based housing choice vouchers.

The high performer designation is the highest honor HUD can give to a public housing authority.  Of the 37 housing authorities in western Pennsylvania, only seven received the high performer designation in both the public housing and Section 8 programs.

Authority executive director Vanessa Rockovich said the scores were achieved by the dedication of a team of employees working together to provide quality housing for working families, as well as elderly and disabled individuals.

Rockovich said the greatest achievement was receiving the high performer rating for the Section 8 housing choice voucher program.  That program was assisting an average of 86 participants of 128 available vouchers in 2000, and has increased to an average of 122 participants in 2004.

The authority's high scores will allow for recognition of superior management and for the agency to be more competitive in seeking grant funding.

More information about the authority is available by calling 432-3416 or via the Internet at www.franklinhousingpa.org.

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