Public Housing and Municipal Redevelopment

This course provides an overview of asset management as a business model in the multi-family housing industry. HUD’s asset management mandate is explained, and the numerous decisions and actions that must be taken by public housing authorities to comply with the requirements contained in 24 CFR 990 are discussed. This course is an elective for housing authority (HA) executive directors and HA commissioners. It is offered once per year.

This half-day or evening session provides a brief introduction to state planning policies, past and present. It focuses on “bricks and mortar” policies that promote compact, mixed-use, human-scale, and pedestrian- and transit-friendly development in our downtowns and neighborhoods. The presentation, which combines slides, lecture, and hands-on exercises, is particularly relevant for redevelopment agency executive directors. This course is an elective for HA executive directors, redevelopment agency (RA) executive directors, and HA commissioners. It is offered once per year.

This full-day session focuses on the nature of the public trust and the “rules” for ethical behavior that are relevant for public housing authority and redevelopment officials. New Jersey law and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations are examined and applied to ethical issues using a case study approach. This course is required for all executive directors and commissioners. It is offered four or more times per year.

This two-day program offers executive directors the opportunity to improve their administrative and leadership skills. Organizational and behavioral issues are analyzed in the context of the key functions of the position, including planning, staffing, and managing. Personnel management is emphasized and topics such as time management, conflict resolution, and team-building are covered. This course is required for HA executive directors. It is offered once per year.

Financial issues are central to the public housing commissioner’s responsibilities. This one-day program covers the basic accounting and legal requirements imposed by HUD and NJDCA in plain language so that commissioners will clearly understand their fiduciary obligations on behalf of the housing authority. The budget preparation process, as well as reporting and audit requirements, are reviewed in detail. This course is required for HA commissioners. It is offered four or more times per year.

This seminar is intended to provide a practical overview of state statutes and federal legal requirements pertaining to housing authorities. Six major topic areas are covered: tenancy and evictions, Section 8 contracts and leases, personnel rights and responsibilities, contractual agreements, general litigation and liability, and the federal Fair Housing Act. This course is an elective for HA executive directors and HA commissioners. It is offered once per year.

Maintenance management includes such diverse topics as budget preparation, staffing, quality control, workorder systems, resident involvement, and insurance and liability. This one-day program addresses each of these issues and uses examples of well-maintained public housing authorities to illustrate the concepts learned. The impact of HUD’s asset management approach on maintenance operations is discussed. This course is required for HA executive directors. It is offered once per year.

Every redevelopment project is different, and the terms that an agency may be able to negotiate with a potential developer vary greatly. In this three-hour session the nuts and bolts of negotiating agreements with redevelopers are discussed, and agreement language is analyzed. The extent to which various types of projects can support specific developer contributions or require governmental assistance also is evaluated. This course is an elective for RA executive directors. It is offered once per year pending availability of content and instructor.

Nontraditional development opportunities for housing authorities and redevelopment agencies are explored in this one-day course, including housing provided under the state’s Mount Laurel requirements. Strategies for developing housing within a wide range of affordability are discussed, and the household income levels established by various federal and state programs are described. Specific attention is given to “how-to” tips for establishing and working with nonprofit corporations. This course is an elective for HA executive directors and HA commissioners; it is a required course for RA executive directors. It is offered once in the spring and once in the fall semester.

Housing authorities and redevelopment agencies have a stake in the creation and maintenance of safe, livable neighborhoods and the expansion of economic opportunities in their communities. This course offers a comprehensive overview of the redevelopment process along with the planning and financing strategies that are essential to successful revitalization efforts. This course is required for RA executive directors, executive directors of HAs that are also RAs, and RA commissioners; it is an elective for executive directors of standard HAs and for HA commissioners. It is offered two or more times per year.

This one-day course familiarizes participants with the “Model Statement of Procurement Policy for Public Housing Authorities Operating in New Jersey.” This policy provides a comprehensive approach to implementing federal and state procurement regulations and merges them into a single handbook. Participants learn how to use the model policy as well as other sources of procurement law and regulations. Procurement and contract officers as well as PHA counsel are encouraged to attend. This course is required for HA executive directors. It is offered once per year.

This one-day course provides commissioners with a basic understanding of their role in establishing procurement policy and monitoring the housing authority’s expenditures. HUD regulations and New Jersey procurement laws are reviewed with a focus on the oversight responsibilities of the board of commissioners. This course is an elective for HA commissioners. It is offered once per year.

This session covers the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP). The indicators in both evaluation systems are explained in detail, including how each is measured and graded. The use of PHAS and SEMAP as management tools for improving housing authority performance is highlighted. This course is required for HA commissioners; it is an elective for HA executive directors. It is offered four or more times per year.

When should a housing authority hold a press conference? Who are the local media, and what do they want? This useful program addresses these questions and more, including image building and managing the media during a crisis. The roles of the commissioner and the executive director in dealing with the media are discussed, and many “how-to” tips are given. This course is an elective for HA executive directors and HA commissioners. It is offered once per year.

This one-day seminar clarifies the commissioner’s role and focuses on the management and communication skills required to be an effective board member. Topics include the history of public housing, ethical considerations, setting policy vs. administering policy, and the board’s relationship with the executive director. General board development issues such as effective communication, cooperative decision-making, and problem-solving techniques also are covered. This course is required for HA commissioners. It is offered four or more times per year.

This course provides a basic understanding of strategic planning concepts and the critical elements of a successful planning process. The requirements of HUD’s 5-Year Agency Plan and Annual Plan are reviewed, and a step-by-step approach to developing both plans is presented. The executive director’s leadership role and the board’s responsibilities are identified and discussed in practical terms. All of the topics are presented in the context of asset management and project-based accounting requirements. This course is required for HA executive directors; it is an elective for HA commissioners. It is offered once per year.

This full-day course provides an overview of the Housing Choice Voucher program and presents basic information about the operational requirements. It is intended to offer BOTH executive directors and commissioners guidance on how to design and implement a tenant-based assistance program, and covers such issues as tenant selection priorities, the calculation of subsidies, and housing quality standards. This course is an elective for HA executive directors and HA commissioners. It is offered once per year.