Glendale’s Community Housing Services Division recently received statewide recognition from the local office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the assistance they provided 83 families victimized by Hurricane Katrina.

HUD named Glendale as one of its Most Valuable Partners for exemplary practices in promoting HUD’s initiative for strengthening communities. The Katrina families were evacuated to Arizona by FEMA or migrated to the state on their own. Most of the people came to the area with little more than the clothes on their back and needed resources immediately.

Glendale Housing worked directly with local apartment complexes to have landlords either waive or reduce security deposits for the evacuee families. A few of the complexes also offered lowered rents, which included utilities.

For those who had to pay utility deposits, the Glendale Community Action Program (CAP) stepped in with financial assistance. The CAP team met with 23 families to arrange payment so that they could move into their new homes more quickly.

In addition, approximately $23,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds also was utilized to assist these families with case management and other related services.

Glendale’s non-profit partner, Quality of Life Community Services Inc., provided this critical social service. They currently provide homeless prevention services within the city.

“In total, Glendale Housing saw a total of 113 families, assisted 83 and currently have 79 on our program,” said Community Housing Administrator Karen Russell. “We used HUD federal funds to supply the families with vouchers for rent.”

Glendale continues to maintain contact with the families and to monitor their adjustment to their new homes.

Throughout the year, Glendale Community Housing Division maintains 155 public housing units and assists 1,054 families with Section 8 vouchers. For the past 13 consecutive years, the program has received a “High Performer” designation from HUD.