10400 Detrick Avenue

Kensington, Maryland 20895
(240) 773-9344

www.hocmc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Krimer Yancy

Thursday, December 9, 2004 301-962-5505

HOC EARNS HIGH SCORES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

FOR PUBLIC HOUSING MANAGEMENT

Agency is Designated “High Performer”

The Housing Opportunities Commission was recently designated by its federal regulator as a “High Performer” for the way it manages the 1,557 homes and apartments it owns under its Public Housing program.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded HOC an overall score of 92 (out of 100) in HUD’s Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS).

PHAS is the system used by HUD to assess America’s public housing agencies. Under the PHAS, HUD evaluates housing agencies based on four key indicators: the physical condition of the agency’s properties; the agency’s financial condition; the agency’s management operations and the residents’ assessment (through a resident survey) of the agency’s performance.

“We are very pleased with our rating,” said Executive Director Scott Minton. “Maintenance of our properties, financial management and resident satisfaction are priorities for HOC,” he said.

The mission of the Housing Opportunities Commission is to make housing available to eligible families of low and moderate income and to provide necessary support services to encourage resident self-sufficiency. To achieve this mission, HOC provides a number of services to Montgomery County residents. The agency:
- owns and manages 1,557 public housing units for families and seniors

- administers 5,400 housing vouchers that provide rental subsides

- finances housing developments

- develops housing

- preserves affordable housing

- provides job training and support services to residents and clients

- offers low-interest mortgage loans

- provides closing cost and down payment assistance

- educates first-time homebuyers

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