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Dorian Zittle, a 65-year-old Veteran, had been through his share of challenges in life before receiving help from the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program and Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA).

“I wouldn’t want to do anything to mess this up,” Dorian said as he explained how forever grateful he is to have the opportunity to have a place to call home.

The HUD-VASH program combines the Department of Housing and Urban
Development’s Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans and their families with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs at its’ medical centers and in the community.

Zittle was drafted into the Army shortly after graduating high school. He spent time training at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas where he also attended the missile training school. Zittle described using the radar stations as if they were like playing a video game. He mentioned how the Army was a great experience for him overall. Not only did he meet a lot of people, it “made him grow up” and helped his overall well-being.

After the Army, Zittle thrived in his career as a leading commercial electrician for several large companies which he enjoyed because he was always handy with tools and problem-solving. Being an electrician provided a stable life for him, however; the stress and demands of the job triggered depression and other issues which eventually led to the worst time in Zittle’s life.

“I was homeless and hopeless,” Zittle expressed.

During his time of homelessness, Zittle was introduced to the HUD-VASH program. With assistance from the program, he started to get the guidance that he needed both mentally and financially in order to get back to self-sufficiency. The HUD-VASH program provided him with concentrated care, classes, job searching, and a case manager that would help navigate him back to a healthy lifestyle.

Zittle said he wouldn’t be in his home without the help of  Paula Burns, the Asset Manager at HCHA. When Burns learned about Zittle, she knew that he would be a good candidate for the HUD-VASH program.

“Dorian has changed tremendously,” Burns stated, “He started off more reserved and kept to himself. Now, he has a more open personality. He’s much more vibrant,” she said.

Zittle now lives at HCHA’s Sierra Meadows property, which he describes as a small, warm and peaceful community where the residents, come together to look after each other.

Zittle lives with his service dog, Roxy, who gets a lot of attention around the community. He speaks of her as if she’s his own child. Zittle recently suffered from a heart attack and stroke,  but Roxy was there to save his life. “If it wasn’t for her, I probably would’ve died in my sleep,” Zittle said.

Besides taking Roxy on walks and to the park to play, Zittle also likes to keep up with hobbies from his youth. One of his hobbies is playing Blues music on the acoustic guitar. He is self-taught and said he learned by playing along with instructional videos. He says music, in general, keeps his mind “organized”.

“I went from nothing to having a beautiful apartment in a wonderful community and a new best friend,” Zittle said. “I can’t express how thankful I am for this program and HCHA for helping me get my life back on track.”

Photos and Story by Eriel Chambers, Intern, University of Houston

Harris County Housing Authority has posted its 2017 Utility Allowance Schedules on its website. Click here to view these schedules.

Sierra Meadows is a 90-unit community in northeast Harris County with one and two-bedroom apartments and villas. Amenities include a resort style pools, fountains, a fitness club, community center and outdoor walkways.

Community manager, Joi Potter, goes beyond her responsibilities to create a desirable community. Residents speak highly of her compassion and sensitivity toward their needs. Residents also openly express their appreciation for her and her staff’s passion and dedication towards helping them in every way they can.

“We once had a problem with cats on the property. They would run into my apartment every time I opened the door. When I reported it to Joi, the cats were gone right away,” one resident said while expressing gratitude at a community meeting.

Residents discussing community activities with management during a monthly meeting.

Potter arranges monthly meetings to provide updates, address concerns and discuss upcoming events and activities with the residents. Potter also hosts bi-annual meetings where corporate leaders attend and interact to make sure residents feel connected to management at all levels.

“I think these meetings are important because they reduce the chances of little things slipping through the cracks and they also bring us together as a team committed to keeping our community vibrant, safe and beautiful which is great for the property overall,” Potter said. “Having an open door policy helps us make sure we’re giving attention to every need, concern, and compliment,” Potter went on to say.

Sierra Meadows promotes healthy and active lifestyles amongst its residents by keeping them involved in daily activities, socializing them through fitness, health, personal development, games, outings, and more.

“I’m one of the first residents to move here. I love my community and like working with management to keep it as beautiful as it was the first day I moved in. We have a lot of fun activities and things to do here. I’m still proud to call this place home,” another resident shared after a community meeting.

Sierra Meadows is just one example of how the Harris County Housing Authority, its residents, and management partners value community and work together to maintain vibrant properties. HCHA’s mission is not only to build safe, quality, and sustainable living spaces for residents but also to make sure those spaces are part of communities that helps everyone to thrive.

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Story by: Lubna Qadri, Intern, University of Houston
Photo credits: Eriel Chambers, Intern, University of Houston

All of us at the Harris County Housing Authority want to thank you for your business, loyalty, and support in 2016. Here is a snapshot of HCHA’s Year-In-Review which includes having a balanced budget across all programs for the first time in over 9 years!

We are looking forward to taking our experiences and the feedback received from supporters like you to have an even “Better… Bolder 2017.” 

Happy New Year to you all!

Notice of 2017 PHA Annual Plan Public Hearing

Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., regarding the 2017 Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan. The public hearing will be held at Harris County Housing Authority’s main office located at 8933 Interchange Dr., Houston, Texas 77054. The hearing will act as a forum for public comments relevant to HCHA’s 2017 PHA Annual Plan as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The 2017 PHA Annual Plan will be available for public review at the above address and on HCHA’s website (www.hchatexas.org). Public comments will receive due consideration in the preparation of the 2017 PHA Annual Plan. Only written comments will be considered; comments are due no later than January 13, 2017 and can be sent via email to hcha@hchatexas.org.  If any further information is needed, contact the Harris County Housing Authority at (713) 578-2100.

Click here for printable version of notice.

The Retreat at Westlock apartments, located at 24001 SH 249 at Westlock Road in northwest Harris County, will begin accepting applications to its waiting list on December 6, 2016.

While the development remains under construction, applications will be accepted by appointment only. All interested applicants must schedule an appointment to apply by calling ITEX Property Management Group Waiting List Application line: (832) 639-3155. For more information about The Retreat at Westlock including amenities and floorplans, visit www.retreatatwestlock.com.

The Retreat at Westlock is a Class A, 140-unit, mixed-income community for seniors 62 years and older and is slated to open in the first quarter of 2017. The property will offer one and two-bedroom units to persons with income levels at 60% or lower of the area median income. Rents for the development will range from $390 to $936 per month.

ITEX Property Management Group, the development’s management company, will oversee the property and its waiting list, which will open to applicants starting December 6, 2016.

Any persons with disabilities who, as a result of their disability, cannot utilize the preferred application process will be provided sufficient reasonable accommodations. Applicants can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the number provided above.

The Retreat at Westlock is owned by Harris County Housing Authority, a recognized leader in affordable housing and housing assistance programs. Harris County Housing Authority and ITEX Property Management Group are committed to creating desirable, livable and sustainable communities and will not discriminate against any applicants due to race, age, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, family status or sexual orientation.

HCHA is requesting proposals from qualified vendors to provide Janitorial Services for HCHA’s main office located at 8933 Interchange Dr., Houston, TX 77054. Full information about RFP # 16-11 can be downloaded here. Amendments to this solicitation, if issued, will be posted on HCHA’s website. Responses to this RFP must be received no later than December 6, 2016, at 4:00 pm. Responses must be emailed to HCHA’s Finance Department at finance@hchatexas.org.

Harris County Housing Authority is requesting proposals from qualified professional firms to provide Employment and Income Verification Services. The RFP submission must reach Harris County Housing Authority no later than 4:00 p.m. CST, September 20, 2016. Firms desiring any explanation of this RFP may email their questions to Katie Thomson no later than September 23, 2016. Additional terms, conditions, and specifications can be found in the complete Request for Proposals.

The Harris County Housing Authority (“HCHA”) is requesting quotes for burglary alarm installation and monitoring services at our main office located at 8933 Interchange Dr., Houston, TX 77054,  in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications contained in this Request for Quotes (RFQ).

The RFQ submission must reach the Harris County Housing Authority no later than August 31, 2016. The RFQ submission must be delivered via email to HCHA’s finance department via finance@hchatexas.org.