2014 Report to the Community

IMPACT

J. Len WilliamsChief Executive Officer

Susan McGuireChief Human Resources and

Risk Management Officer

Lisa WaltersChief Financial Officer

John CasteelChief Assisted Housing Officer

Verona CampbellChief Real Estate Officer

Beverly LaMeeDirector of Community Initiatives

Sabrina RichardsDirector of Housing

Enterprise Operations

Tashee SingletonDirector of Public

Housing Operations

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

IMPACTleadership It has been said that the character of a community can best be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. At the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia (HACG) we work to create strong communities by providing af-fordable housing and support services for those needing assistance. It is our belief that residents should be proud of where they live and that public housing should be transitional for those who wish to become self-sufficient. In 2014, our impact on the community was recognized at a national level with multiple awards for innovative funding, design and programs.

In the next few years, HACG will further invest in community revitaliza-tion with the redevelopment of Booker T. Washington into Columbus Commons, and Chapman Homes into Patriot Pointe. These new com-munities follow the research-based direction of public housing; where traditional public housing is replaced with modern, mixed-income complexes that better reflect progressive living communities.

HACG will use low income housing tax credits and partner with pri-vate investors. These partnerships help create new, affordable hous-ing that couldn’t otherwise be built without private investment. These new communities have a significant impact on entire neighborhoods, making it a win/win opportunity for all.

HACG’s impact on the community will become even more evident as we transition from what is typically known as ‘public housing’ to further developing new neighborhoods and communities, as well as assisting residents in becoming more self-sufficient and productive.

J. Len Williams Chief Executive Officer The Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia

R. Larry CardinChairman

Retired Bank President

Charles Alexander Vice Chairman

Retired

Kenneth Henson Attorney

Ruhnell B. BankstonHACG Resident

J. Edgar Chancellor, III

Financial Consultant

Edward BurdeshawRetired Architect

Jeanella PendletonRetired Principal

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Amy Moore retired from HACG after 43 years of service. Amy began her tenure as a part-time clerk and typist while still in high school and worked her way up the ranks to Chief Real Estate Officer – leaving a lasting impact on HACG and the Columbus community.

Amy spent much of her time at HACG working with the city on urban renewal, project plan-ning, real estate development and land acquisition. The impact of Amy’s work can be seen throughout the community - from the Uptown TSYS campus and the expansion of Doctor’s Hospital to the rehabilitation of the Liberty Theatre and the preservation of the Ma Rainey House.

Amy also led the efforts on a wide range of community development programs, the Hope VI program and mixed-finance communities which included the redevelop-ment of Peabody Apartments into Ashley Station and Baker Village into Arbor Pointe.

Amy leaves a legacy of leadership and service that will impact the community for years to come.

More than 10,000 people rely on HACG for the place they call home. While housing is the

essence of HACG’s mission, a roof over one’s head is just the beginning. HACG’s impact

on the community is greatest when it connects residents with the supportive services

necessary to improve the quality of their lives and to attain economic self-sufficiency.

Most HACG residents face challenges based on limited incomes, but their needs go

beyond financial. They also need educational and job training opportunities. That is why

HACG ensures its impact goes beyond housing to provide programs that empower resi-

dents. Whether it is a senior citizen, a working family or a single parent, HACG is a source

of help and guidance for those who are struggling to make it on their own.

HACG also continues the modernization and preservation of established housing commu-

nities, as well as constructing new multi-family and senior developments. When residents

take pride in their homes and have the tools to become self-sufficient, they take pride in

themselves, impacting the quality of life for their families and community.

IMPACTcommunity

HACG broke ground on its newest project in late 2014. The multi-phase

project will include the redevelopment of Booker T. Washington (BTW)

and Chapman Homes and is expected to be completed by late 2016.

Like Peabody Apartments and Baker Village before it, the apartments

are being redeveloped into more contemporary residential communi-

ties with mixed-income housing.

When completed, these properties will have a tremendous

impact on those who call it home, the neighborhood and the entire

community. Residents will find a new sense of pride in their homes,

creating a revitalized community and making Columbus a better place

to live for everyone.

Phase I Chapman Homes becomes Patriot PointePatriot Pointe will replace Chapman Homes. The completed project

will consist of 100 units of ‘near-elderly’ (55 years old and older),

including five market-rate units and 95 income-restricted units.

Phase II Booker T. Washington becomes Columbus Commons

Booker T. Washington is being completely redeveloped into Columbus

Commons beginning in the fall of 2015. The final project will consist of

106 multi-family units: 15 market-rate and 91 income-restricted units.

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENTS

IMPACTpeopleThe path to self-sufficiency for HACG residents is

paved with people and programs to help families

succeed. HACG is there to connect public housing

residents – like Meyaco Fitzpatrick – with these oppor-

tunities. Meyaco knew that HACG was giving her the

chance to make something happen for herself and

her family and she wasn’t going to let that pass her by.

Meyaco enrolled in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)

program and the Circles program (offered through

Open Door). She was determined to show her chil-

dren that with hard work and perseverance, you can

accomplish anything.

For the past seven years, Meyaco has worked at TSYS

in a job she loves.

One of her greatest accomplishments during her

time with FSS was receiving a promotion to Customer

Service Representative II. As a result of her promo-

tion, Meyaco now receives health, dental, and vision

insurance, in addition to a retirement fund. Meyaco

also received an escrow check based on her increase

in earned income during her time in FSS.

Meyaco graduated from the Circles program in 2012

and FSS in 2014; and credits her success to both

programs. Meyaco continues to be determined,

focused, and very grateful to HACG and its programs

for giving her the encouragement to improve the

quality of life for herself and her children.

SUCCESS AT WORK

Marilyn Johnson dreamed of one day owning a

home with a fenced-in backyard where her five

kids could play. She worked hard while raising her

kids but was unable to achieve that dream before

they were grown and gone. However, Marilyn never

gave up, even in her darkest hours.

Living in Miami in 2005, Marilyn found herself

jobless and homeless – but not hopeless. She found

work but even with a job, Marilyn could not afford

a place to live. Not wanting to burden her children,

she continued to work and sleep on a friend’s

couch until she could get back on her feet. That

all changed with a fateful phone call from half way

around the world.

Marilyn’s daughter, stationed in Iraq at the time,

called to check in and was devastated to learn what

her mother was going through. She sent Marilyn

money and instructions to get on a bus and head for

Columbus, GA where she could help Marilyn find a

place to live and work.

Marilyn hopped on the next bus out of Miami and

headed to Georgia, where a new life awaited. She

found a great job at Fort Benning and moved into

Wilson Homes, where she could take advantage

of HACG’s programs and refocus on her dream of

homeownership.

In 2014 Marilyn’s dream became a reality when she

moved into her own home – recently renovated by

Habitat for Humanity – complete with a fenced-in

backyard where her 13 grandchildren can play.

SUCCESS AT HOME

HACG’s greatest impact on the community is the housing it provides; but it goes beyond that

to impact the lives of residents with self-sufficiency programs. The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS)

program, Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) program and Housing Vouchers

for Veterans (HUD-VASH) and help the residents improve the quality of their lives by assisting

them in reaching personal and professional goals.

Family Self-SufficiencyFSS is a voluntary program that helps Section 8 participants and public housing residents

achieve economic independence in five years or less. Participants work with an FSS

coordinator to create a plan that identifies training and education needs and includes

employment goals. The FSS coordinator also links families with community resources to help

them overcome barriers to self-sufficiency, while allowing them to build an escrow savings

account.

As a participant’s income increases, the difference between their previous and new

rent will be automatically deposited into an escrow savings account each month. Once

they complete the program they receive the money – including interest – that was put

into their escrow account. Participants often use the savings in their escrow account to

accomplish additional long-term goals, such as buying a home or starting a business.

The FSS program impacts the community by developing a strong work ethic in residents and

providing the opportunity to change their lives for the better.

IMPACTprograms

Housing Vouchers for Veterans The HUD-VASH program is a

collaboration between HACG, the

U.S. Department of Housing and

Urban Development (HUD) and

the U.S. Department of Veterans

Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH).

This partnership helps chronically

homeless veterans and their immediate

families find and maintain affordable,

permanent housing.

The program is designed to improve

veteran’s physical and mental health

through HUD Section 8 Housing

Choice Vouchers. Case management

and clinical services are provided by

the Department of Veterans Affairs

(VA).

HACG believes that offering a program

specifically for veterans is a way to

honor their service while impacting

their lives.

Resident Opportunities for Self-SufficiencyROSS provides opportunities for families living in public housing

to identify and work on achieving their life goals. ROSS is the

connection between the family and the supportive services

necessary to achieve independence. ROSS service coordinators

assist participants in assessing strengths, needs and aspirations,

to create a plan that outlines the families short and long-term

goals.

The referral services provided to families include: child care,

education, job training, substance abuse treatment, parenting

skills and money management, along with other assistance.

ROSS impacts eligible families by giving them the tools to achieve

economic independence and self-sufficiency.

HACG is proud of its many partnerships. A great example of one of

these is the Circles progam, a national movement to end poverty, at

Open Door Community House.

HACG and the non-profit, Open Door Community House, work

together to empower low-income individuals to recognize their full

potential.

Circles impacts the community by working to end poverty

one family at a time through fostering relationships across

economic class lines. Circles surrounds hard-working yet

under-resourced, families with the support to make them thrive.

A Circle Leader is an individual or family working to get out

of poverty. Allies (or volunteers) support the Circle Leader in

building the emotional, intellectual, financial and spiritual resources

necessary for economic self-sufficiency and stability.

IMPACTpartners

AmericanWorkBethany Christian ServicesBoys and Girls Clubs Boy ScoutsCB&TChattahoochee Valley Episcopal MinistryChattahoochee Valley LibrariesClear Channel Media and EntertainmentColumbus Area Habitat for HumanityColumbus Consolidated Government

• Community Reinvestment • Job Training Division • Parks and Recreation

Columbus Department of Public Health• SAFE Kids Columbus

Columbus Regional Health Columbus State University Columbus Technical College Enrichment Services Program, Inc.Family Center • Consumer Credit Counseling ServicesFamily ConnectionsFeeding the Valley, Inc.Friendship Baptist Church

• Boys of Distinction

Georgia Department of Community AffairsGeorgia Department of Community Health

• Georgia Healthy FamiliesGeorgia Department of Behavioral Health

and Developmental DisabilitiesGeorgia Department of Human Resources

• Department of Family and Children Services• Great Start Georgia

Georgia Department of Labor • Experience Works• Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Georgia Job TipsGirl Scouts of Historic GeorgiaGirls, Inc.Goodwill Industries of the Southern RiversHome for GoodHomeless Resource Network, Inc.Literacy AllianceRiver Valley Area Agency on AgingMission ColumbusMuscogee County School District Neighborhoods Focused on African-American Youth, Inc.NeighborWorks ColumbusNew Horizons Behavioral Health Open Door Community House Pastoral InstitutePaxen Learning CentersSt. Francis HospitalSaMarc Dream and Achieve FoundationSOURCE Care ManagementUnited Way of the Chattahoochee ValleyUniversity of Georgia • Cooperative Extension Service • Family and Consumer SciencesVolunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) ProgramWells FargoYMCA

OUR PARTNERS

The Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia (HACG) received

three Agency Awards of Merit from the National Association

of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for finding

innovative ways to impact the lives of the people it serves. HACG

was recognized for the design of the Cottages at Arbor Pointe,

the modernization of E.J. Knight Gardens and the programs at

Willow Glen.

The Cottages at Arbor PointeThe Cottages at Arbor Pointe are 120 bungalow-style apartments

built specifically for the elderly. The Cottages features walking trails,

exercise stations and gazebos that encourage outdoor activity and

create a sense of community.

E.J. Knight Gardens Originally built in 1952, E. J. Knight Gardens is a 52-unit complex of

family housing. The property’s twelve one-story brick buildings under-

went a dramatic renovation with façade updates and modernization

that focused on sustainability and energy conservation.

Willow Glen Willow Glen is a 28-unit therapeutic residential community that serves

individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, have a

documented disability, or suffer from substance abuse and are in need of

supportive social services.

IMPACTinnovation

The Cottages at Arbor Pointe also received a

Multi-Housing News (MHN) Silver Award for

Excellence for Best New Development. The

national MHN Excellence Awards recognize

the apartment industry’s most outstanding

people, companies and properties based

on financial performance, customer service,

resident satisfaction and design excellence.

Arbor Pointe, which has helped contribute to

the overall revitalization of South Columbus,

was developed through a partnership

between HACG, private firms and investors.

Utilizing innovative partnerships allows

HACG to be the foremost provider of quality,

affordable housing in the Columbus region.

Columbus

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Fort Benning

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*Managed by HACG for the City of Columbus

Arbor Pointe I, II and III 416 Apartments

E.J. Knight Gardens and Apartments 92 Apartments

Elizabeth F. Canty Homes 249 Apartments

Willow Glen 28 Apartments Columbus Villas 88 Apartments

Farley Homes 102 Apartments

Booker T. Washington Apartments 392 Apartments

Legacy Terrace* 17 Apartments

Rivers Homes 24 Apartments

Warren Williams Homes 160 Apartments

Nicholson Terrace Apartments 100 Apartments

Ashley Station 367 Apartments

Chase Homes 108 Apartments

Wilson Homes 389 Apartments

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OURproperties

84% - Governmental Grants & Subsidies

10% - Dwelling Rent

6% - Other Income

OPERATING REVENUE

47% - Housing Assistance Payments

9% - Depreciation & Amortization5% - General Expense

4% - Utilities

17% - Administration

15% - Maintenance & Operations

3% - Tenant Services

IMPACT

OPERATING EXPENSES

Statement of Revenues, Expenses and

Changes in Fund Net Assets June 30, 2014

Operating Revenues

Dwelling rent $ 2,850,676

Governmental grants and subsidies 23,336,198

Other income 1,593,012

Total Current Assets 27,779,886

Operating Expenses

Administration 4,759,245

Tenant services 778,508

Utilities 1,101,627

Maintenance and operations 4,198,417

General expense 1,407,628

Housing assistance payments 12,928,953

Depreciation and amortization 2,451,555

Total Operating Expenses 27,625,933

Net Operating Income (153,953)

Non Operating Revenues/(Expenses) (393,479)

Capital grants 481,471

Net Increase in Net Assets 1,028,903

Total Net Assets at July 1, 2012 77,545,255

TOTAL NET ASSETS $ 78,574,158

Statement of Net Assets June 30, 2014

Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,871,431 Accounts receivable - net 551,227 Other current assets 1,874,753 Total Current Assets 27,297,411

Noncurrent Assets Land, structures and equipment - net of depreciation 40,057,273 Notes receivable 16,278,592 Other assets 736,515 Total Noncurrent Assets 57,072,380

TOTAL ASSETS $ 84,369,791

Liabilities and Net Assets June 30, 2014

Current Liabilities Accounts payable $ 626,220 Other current liabilities 914,132 Tenant security deposits 387,239 Long term debt - current portion 26,596 Total Current Liabilities 1,954,187

Noncurrent Liabilities Long term debt 3,363,217 Other noncurrent liabilities 478,229 Total Noncurrent Liabilities 3,841,446 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 5,795,633

Net Assets Invested in capital assets, net of related debt 36,667,460 Restricted net assets 16,808,545 Unrestricted net assets 25,098,153 TOTAL NET ASSETS 78,574,158 TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $ 84,369,791

IMPACT

OURmission To be the foremost provider of quality, affordable housing in the Columbus region by

developing, revitalizing and managing contemporary housing communities.

1000 Wynnton Road • Columbus, GA 31906

ColumbusHousing.org

In memory of

Franklin Douglass1936-2015

A visionary, a builder of communities and a dedicated servant leader, Franklin

Douglass served on the Board of the Housing Authority of Columbus, GA, both

as a Commissioner and Chairman, for over three decades.

His commitment and service to the Housing Authority impacted the lives of

thousands of public housing residents.