2000-2005: Cayce Five Year Plan
Final Progress Report

The Cayce Housing Authority completed its first Five-Year Plan in 2000.  As part of the 2005-2010 Plan, HUD requires each housing authority to provide a progress report regarding the goals and objectives of the plan.

Goal #1: Increase the availability of quality, affordable housing by improving the quality of assisted housing.

 Objectives:

• Continue public housing high performing status with a PHAS (Public Housing Assessment System) score of 90% or greater.

The Cayce Housing Authority was a high-performing housing authority in all 5 years of the Plan.  In year five of the Plan, HUD did not provide a PHAS score because of the new Deregulation program (small authorities were not rated for a two year period if they were designated as a high-performer).  The Authority will be reevaluated under PHAS in 2005.  The most recent score was in 2003 and the agency scored a 97 out of 100.

•  Maintain public housing vacancies at a rate of 2% or less.

The Cayce Housing Authority is proud of its accomplishments in unit turn-over to maintain a low vacancy rate.  The agency had a vacancy rate of less than 1% for 4 of the 5 years.  (In 2003-04, there were a high number of vacancies due to the death of several elderly persons.  Still, the CHA maintained a less than 2% vacancy rate in this high turnover year.)

•  Renovate and modernize public housing units according to the HUD Capital Fund Plan.

All projects identified in the five year Capital Fund plan were completed on schedule.  These activities included the landscaping of complexes, site erosion control, installation of fencing, installation of central heating and air units, new roofing, renovation of the Poplar/Wilkinson Community Room, and kitchen and bathroom improvements.

• Continue to renovate and maintain units to mirror the private market.

Kitchen and bathroom renovations have been completed and central heating and air units were installed to make the Cayce Housing Authority’s beautiful brick units mirror the private market.

• Improve customer service.

All staff members of the Columbia Housing Authority who conduct business for the Cayce Housing Authority participated in four (4) different training programs over the last five years to improve their customer service skills.  Also, a new resident newsletter was created just for the 40 families of the Cayce Housing Authority to communicate information on a timely basis to residents.

•  Encourage homeownership as a goal for Cayce public housing residents

The CHA set a goal of helping two families become homeowners in the five-year period.  We are pleased to report that three families purchased homes.  The CHA continues to work with families to encourage homeownership and participate in the CHA’s homeownership program.

• Implement measures to deconcentrate poverty by assuring access for higher income families into lower income developments.

The CHA is not required to comply with the Deconcentration of Poverty guidelines regarding economic diversity because of the size of the Authority (less than 100 units).

• Improve public housing security and expand the working relationship with the City of Cayce Police Department.

The CHA monitors all police reports at its four complexes.  The Director of Security has developed a good working relationship with the new Chief of Police.  All police reports are recorded and the CHA adheres to the One Strike Policy of the lease regarding any drug or criminal activity.  Police reports have shown a decrease in crime over the five year period.  This can largely be attributed to the addition of part-time security contracted by the Authority.  Additionally, all CHA staff participated in gang awareness training in 2004.

Goal #2: Promote self-sufficiency and assessment development of families and individuals in assisted households.

Objectives:

• Increase the percentage of employed persons in assisted families.

The CHA has been making progress in increasing the number of residents that are employed.  Excluding the large number of elderly in the Authority, the number of residents that are employed has increased from 12% to 24%, a 100% increase in the number employed.  All residents that are not employed are required by HUD guidelines to participate in training or education classes or perform voluntary community service through the Community Service Program.  .

• Formalize the partnerships with community service providers and the private market through contracts and Memorandums of Understanding.

The CHA has developed over 45 different Memorandums of Understanding with local non-profits and government agencies to provide a wide variety of services for residents.  These include educational, social, and recreational activities.

• Develop the Resident Entrepreneurial Development Center (REDC).

The CHA created the REDC to encourage residents to start a business in the community.  However, after two years the Authority partnered with Benedict College ’s Business Development Center as well as Columbia College ’s small business program to better assist residents in creating viable businesses.  The Authority refers residents to these two colleges to obtain the assistance they need in getting started.  During the five year period, we had one resident begin a business, short of our goal of three resident businesses.

• Continue and expand supportive services to increase independence for the elderly or families with disabilities.   

The provision of supportive services for the elderly has been one of the highlights of the CHA’s resident programs.  Over the last five years, residents have attended a myriad of diverse cultural, educational, and recreational activities.  These include USC sports, concerts at local venues, State public housing resident activities, “I Remember Mama” with Volunteers of America, Martin Luther King Concert, Spring Fling, and events at the Columbia Housing Authority.  The CHA also has conducted its Vial of Life Program in conjunction with the American Red Cross (a complete medical history is stored in every freezer) for every elderly household providing vital medical information to the local EMS in the event of an emergency.  The CHA will continue to expand this service to residents.

Goal #3: Ensure equal opportunity and affirmatively further fair housing for all Americans.

Objectives:

• Continue affirmative measures to ensure access and to provide a suitable living environment for families living in assisted housing, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status and disability.

• Continue affirmative measures to ensure accessible housing to persons with disabilities, regardless of unit size required.

No housing discrimination complaints were received in the entire five year period.  All 504 requests were reviewed.  Several wheelchair ramps were installed on a temporary basis.