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HUNDREDS OF HURRICANE IKE FAMILIES RECEIVED HELP FROM HOUSING AUTHORITY JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Take notice that a meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Galveston, Texas will be held as stated above by the Board of Commissioners to discuss, consider, and formally act upon the follow agenda(s), as required by the Open Meetings Law. The public is invited.

AGENDA

1.   Call to Order by Presiding Officer Indicating Date & Time

2.   Determination of a quorum

3.   Notice of posting

4.   Declaration of Conflict of Interest

5.   Public Comments with respect to agenda items

6.   Approval of Minutes of previous meetings-
      a. October 19, 2009
      b. October 26, 2009

7.   Financial statements as of October 31, 2009
      a. Central Office Cost Center (COCC)
      b. Asset Management Project (AMP) #1 - Oleander Homes/Palm Terrace
      c. Asset Management Project (AMP) #2 - Gulf Breeze/Holland House
      d. Asset Management Project (AMP) #3 - Magnolia Homes/Cedar Terrace?Scattered Sites
      e. Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program
      f. Island Community Center (ICC)
      g. Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) - Ike
      h. Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) - Katrina Rita

8.   Resolutions - Approval of
      a. #2388 - Collection Loss Write-Offs as of Close of Business October 31, 2009
      b. #2389 - Awarding a Contract to Tramonte, Tramonte & Bastien for Legal Servicesa
      c. #2390 - Awarding a Contract to Mills, Shirley, LLP for Legal Services
      d. #3491 - Awarding a Contract to Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for Provision of Mediation Services
      e. #2392 - Awarding an Extension for Drive West Communications for Provision of Communication ServicesGalveston families who lost their homes in Hurricane Ike are still suffering a year later and received Thanksgiving turkeys, and donated beds and coats and other needed items at a special Galveston Housing Authority event on Saturday, November 14.

            Hundreds of families now receiving help under the Disaster Housing Assistance Program – Ike gathered for an outdoor event planned to help families who still have significant needs as they approach Thanksgiving.

            Professional Boxer Felix Cora Jr., former Houston Texan and New England Patriot Greg Randall, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots, and WWE wrestling star Booker T. were among those who attended the event at the Island Community Center to give their support to the Ike families in need.

            In September 2008 when Hurricane Ike struck, thousands of island residents lost their homes. The Galveston Housing Authority is offering 1,900 families, elderly, and other individuals displaced by the storm temporary rental assistance. But even though they have a place to live temporarily, many of the families don’t have enough food, clothing, furniture and other household items.
            “With so much for us to be thankful for this season, these families are still in great need,” said Harish Krishnarao, the executive director of the Galveston Housing Authority. “So many businesses, individuals, and social service agencies came together for this event on November 14 and said ‘yes, we will help.’ It’s been a wonderful experience to see the community come together like this, especially as we approach Thanksgiving.”

            Families received turkeys, coats, and care packages including roasting pans, crock pots, paper goods, and laundry detergent.

            Organizations from Habitat for Humanity to the Jesse Tree and dozens more offered information about community services and provided items of need. More than 2,000 people enjoyed music, dance performances, face painting, a petting zoo and much more at the community fair.

            The community organizations that provided information to the Ike families included:

• Galveston County Veteran’s Service Office
• Galveston County Dept. of Parks and Senior Services
• The Children’s Center- Outreach and Assistance Program / Safe Place & Youth Advocacy
• U.T.M.B. – Tele-Psychiatry
• Teen Health Center
• G.I.S.D./ Homeless Education Program
• The Jesse Tree
• The Northside Task Force
•  Galveston College
•  Census 2010
•  Galveston County Community Action Council/ Head Start Program 
•  Family Service Center of Galveston County
•  NIA Cultural Center
•  F.E.M.A.
•  * IKE RISE*- ICNA Relief USA, G.R.A.C.E. Community Services, BOAT PEOPLE SOS, INC.
•  The Boys  &  Girls  Club of Greater Houston- The Johnny Mitchell Branch
•  The Gulf Coast Center - (TEXAS P.R.I.D.E.)
•  Lone Star Legal Aid
•  Jewish Family Service
•  Y.M.C.A.
•  Texas First Bank
•  Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
• Habitat for Humanity
• Holistic CDC, Boy’s Rite of Passage
• Grace Community Development Company
• Galveston County Interfaith
• Galveston’s Rosenberg Library Seeks “Memories of Ike”

NEW HOMES NEEDED FOR HUNDREDS OF GALVESTON FAMILIES DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE IKE TO BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO REBUILDING

Galveston Housing Authority to present City of Galveston officials plans for redevelopment of homes wiped waay by the storm.

As hundreds of Galveston families struggle to find permanent housing after Hurricane Ike destroyed their homes, the Galveston Housing Authority will be one step closer to rebuilding hundreds of homes after presenting plans for the major restoration effort to City of Galveston officials today.

Galveston Housing Authority Executive Director Harish Krishnarao will present to Galveston City Council members today plans to replace the four housing developments wiped away by the storm. The presentation will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at Galveston's City Council Chambers, 823 Rosenberg.

Four damaged Housing Authority buildings were demolished, and master plans to be proposed would rebuild Cedar Terrace (2914 Ball), Magnolia Homes (1601 Strand), Oleander Homes (5228 Broadway) and Palm Terrace (4400 Sealy). The plans include more than 500 brand new homes complete with central heating and air conditioning, individual garages, washer and dryer connections, dishwashers and energy efficient appliances. The new developments will provide hundreds of families, elderly and other individuals with affordable homes compatible with new housing constructed.

Plans for the new homes were developed after a series of design workshops and public hearings were conducted by the Housing Authority to provide Galveston residents, including the many displaced families, the opportunity to give their idea of what future housing should look like.

The Galveston Housing Authority moved quickly since the storm to serve displaced families and already has put about $20 million back into the economy helping Ike victims with temporary housing and services since the storm. The program has created an opportunity for much-needed jobs on Galveston Island, hiring an additional 104 unemployed people to assist with the disaster assistance effort.

HUNDREDS OF HURRICANE IKE FAMILIES IN GALVESTON TO GET HELP SATURDAY

Thanksgiving turkeys and donated beds, coats, computers will be given to families

Pro boxer, Super Bowl winner will join Galveston Housing Authority effort to help

Galveston families who lost their homes in Hurricane Ike are still suffering a year later and will receive Thanksgiving turkeys, and donated beds, coats, computers and needed items at a special event in Galveston on Saturday, November 14.

The Galveston Housing Authority has invited 2,199 families now receiving help under the Disaster Housing Assistance Program - Ike to gather on November 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an outdoor event planned to help families who still have significant needs as they approach Thanksgiving. Only families currently in the Disaster Housing Assistance Program for Hurricane Ike will receive the donated items Saturday.

Professional boxer Felix Cora Jr., former Houston Texan and New England Patriot Greg Randall, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots, and professional wrestling star Booker T. will be among those attending the event to give their support to the Ike families in need. The event will be held at the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway.

In September 2008 when Hurricane Ike struck, thousands of island residents lost their homes. The Galveston Housing Authority is offering 2,199 families, elderly, and other individuals displaced by the storm temporary rental assistance. But even though they have a place to live temporarily, many of the families don't have enough food, clothing, furniture and other household items.

"With so much for us to be thankful for this season, these families are still in great need," said Harish Krishnarao, the executive director of the Galveston Housing Authority. "So many businesses, individuals, and social service agencies have come together for this event on November 14 and said 'yes, we will help.' It's been a wonderful experience to see the community come together like this, especially as we approach Thanksgiving."

Randall, the former Super Bowl winner and a La Marque native, said he is excited to participate and help the people of Galveston. "I am happy to be a part of such a tremendous event that will assist in the restoration of Hurricane Ike victims," Randall said.

Among the donated items to be given to the Ike families Saturday are two bedroom sets, 125 mattresses donated by Star Furniture in Galveston, coats, 750 hot dogs, 1,000 tacos from Taco Bell, 1,500 drinks from McDonalds and laptop computers from Casey Hampton of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who benefited from assistance from the Galveston Housing Authority as a young man.

The Housing Authority has purchased, at a reduced price from the Gleanings from the Harvest organization, turkeys and turkey boxes for the first 400 families who arrive at the event Saturday. The Housing Authority also has purchased care packages including roasting pans, crock pots, paper goods, and laundry detergent, and some coats.

Organizations from the Family Service Center of Galveston County to the YMCA and dozens more are joining forces with the Housing Authority at the Saturday event to offer information about community services and provide items of need. The Ike families also will have a chance to enjoy music, dance performances, face painting, a petting zoo and much more at the community fair.

Residents enrolled in the Disaster Housing Assistance Program must check in with a state-issued photo ID at the event in order to receive the donated items.

Among the community organizations attending the event to provide information to the Ike families will be:

• Galveston County Veteran's Service Office
• Galveston County Dept. of Parks and Senior Services
• The Children's Center- Outreach and Assistance Program Safe Place & Youth Advocacy
• U.T.M.B. - Tele-Psychiatry
• Teen Health Center
• G.I.S.D./ Homeless Education Program
• The Jesse Tree
• The Northside Task Force
• Galveston College
• Census 2010
• Galveston County Community Action Council/ Head Start Program
• Family Service Center of Galveston County
• F.E.M.A.
• * IKE RISE*- ICNA Relief USA, G.R.A.C.E. Community Services, BOAT PEOPLE SOS, INC.
• The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston- The Johnny Mitchell Branch
• The Gulf Coast Center - (TEXAS P.R.I.D.E.)
• Lone Star Legal Aid
• Jewish Family Service
• Y.M.C.A.
• Texas First Bank
• Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
• Habitat for Humanity
• Holistic CDC, Boy's Rite of Passage
• Grace Community Development Company
• Galveston County Interfaith
• Galveston's Rosenberg Library Seeks "Memories of Ike"

NATIONAL DISASTER HOUSING FAMILY DAY

Galveston Housing Authority will host the National Disaster Housing Family Day. The event will be held from 10-3pm this Saturday November 14, 2009 at the Island Community Center at 4700 Broadway. Hundreds of Galveston families who lost their homes in Hurricane Ike are still suffering a year a year later and will receive donated beds, coats, blankets, Thanksgiving turkeys, and other needed items at a special event in Galveston on Saturday, November 14. Read more:

NOTICE OF MEETING OF A JOINT SPECIAL WORKSHOP OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON

Take notice that a meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Galveston, Texas will be held as stated above by the Board of Commissioners to discuss, consider, and formally act upon agendas listed in the attachment. The public is invited. Read more:

GALVESTON HOUSING AUTHORITY TO LAUNCH "HOUSING 101" WORKSHOPS FOR ISLAND COMMUNITY

October 27, 2009- The Galveston Housing Authority will begin hosting workshops to educate Galveston residents about GHA housing programs. GHA Executive Director Harish Krishnarao arranged for "Housing 101" courses for the general public after several requests were made at the September board meeting seeking more information about the housing programs offered. The first workshop will be held on Friday, October 30, at 10 a.m. Workshops will be held twice a day every Friday at the Island Community Center's Community Room located at 4700 Broadway. Exact dates and times for the Housing 101 workshops can be found at GHA's website at www.ghatx.org. The following sessions are scheduled for the coming weeks.

GHA Housing 101 Workshops

October 30, 2009
Session 1- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 2- 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

November 6, 2009
Session 1- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 2- 5:30 p.m. to 7:30pm

November 20, 2009
Session 1- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Session 2- 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

PUBLIC HOUSING PUBLIC COMMENT SESSIONS

Galveston Housing Authority hosts its first public housing comment sessions since the unveiling of the redevelopment plans last week. The public will have the opportunity to give its comments and feedback since the Housing Authority displayed their rebuilding plans for public housing. The dates and times for the session are below:

• October 29th, 5 pm at the Island Community Center
• November 12th, 5 pm at the Island Community Center
• November 24th, 5pm at the Island Community Center
• Public Hearing-December 7th, 5pm Island Community Center

GALVESTON HOUSING AUTHORITY TO PRESENT DEVELOPMENT PLANS AT PUBLIC MEETING.

Homes needed for 569 families devastated by Hurricane Ike

October 14, 2009- The Galveston Housing Authority, working to build homes for 569 families devastated by Hurricane Ike, will present development plans to the public at a public meeting Monday, October 19, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. - 6:30pm.

The GHA will hold a public meeting to present GHA's proposed development plan Monday, October 19, 2009, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Island Community Center in the Community Room, located at 4700 Broadway, Galveston, Texas.

The development plan will be presented by the Executive Director, the master planners, Civic Design Associates, the Oaks IV planners, Rey De La Reza, and a development consultant from LISC. There will be an opportunity for public comment and questions after the presentation.

After the development plans are presented at the meeting, the public will have 45 days to comment.