The Community Development Commission (CDC) and the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA) were recently recognized with seven Awards of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).

The projects included the Comprehensive Health Services at the Star Apartments, which provides supportive housing for homeless individuals, including 77 units for people living with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The TGE-ERC Carmelitos Public Housing program was also awarded for maximizing the use of formerly blighted urban land to serve as a replicable model of environmental sustainability and food production for low-income communities.

(photo courtesy of HACoLA)

Additionally, NAHRO recognized the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program which solicits feedback from current and past participants to improve supportive services. Also honored was the HACoLA’s housing program for veterans in which the agency made interjurisdictional agreements with eight cities to create more housing options. HACoLA also reached 100 percent voucher utilization for its Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program within six months and provided housing to over 1,700 formerly homeless veterans and their families.

NAHRO also recognized the county’s Landlord Incentive Program to End Veteran Homeless, which encourages landlords to rent units to homeless veterans. HACoLA also implemented the Homeless Incentive Program to encourage landlords to rent units to homeless families.

“We are honored to be recognized by NAHRO this year. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication from each staff member working to build better lives and better neighborhoods every day,” said Sean Rogan, executive director of the CDC and HACoLA.

The NAHRO Agency Awards Program honors the achievement and innovation of NAHRO members throughout the country. It provides additional opportunities to inform the public about housing and community development and creates new resources. Since 1989, NAHRO has honored more than 6,000 programs. For information, visit hacola.org.