Newport Housing Authority Wins Award of Excellence for Resident and Client Services
(Washington D.C.-Nov. 17, 2020)- Newport Housing Authority partnered with a nonprofit to enhance residents’ health and wellness and is a 2020 recipient of the Award of Excellence for Resident and Client Services by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
“This year’s award-winning agencies have given us innovative local solutions for increasing affordable housing stock and improving the lives of their residents,” NAHRO President Sunny Shaw said. “I am excited to honor them for their excellence.”
Working with newly created nonprofit Hi-Lo Neighborhood Association, the Newport Housing Authority applied for grant money to create a space for seniors to improve upon their physical and mental health. NHA and Hi-Lo helped turn a poorly maintained fitness center into a safe place for seniors to exercise and come together.
The renovated space allows for additional exercise classes, such as yoga and a class targeted at improving balance and preventing falls, and provides an office for resident services. The housing authority also formed a relationship with a local university to foster interactions between elderly residents and college students. The aim is to better mental and physical health for residents and provide service opportunities.
As a next step in helping residents lead healthier lives, NHA and Hi-Lo are sponsoring health and wellness fairs and looking to create a public-private partnership to rent the unused space to local health care providers.
“NAHRO members have always been in the business of providing homes and improving lives – these awards commemorate shining examples of the vital work they do nationwide,” NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman said. “My sincere congratulations to this year’s winners.”
About Awards of Excellence
Nominated from among the Award of Merit winners each year, these Awards are chosen by national juries and presented at the annual National Conference and Exhibition. They represent the very best in innovative programs in assisted housing and community development.
About NAHRO
NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of nearly 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.