WS Chronicle

To fulfill a key aspect of the Choice Neighborhoods grant, the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem is assisting Urban Strategies Inc. in its search for a senior project manager who will oversee the resident-services provisions of the grant.

Urban Strategies has been retained by the Housing Authority to assist residents with the transitions that will come as the grant is implemented. Services could include assistance with relocation information, registering for school, job counseling, training, financial empowerment, health and wellness, senior services, programs for children and youth, homeownership preparation and more.

Urban Strategies is advertising nationally for the position, but Kevin Cheshire, the Housing Authority’s executive director, says that having someone familiar with the city and the neighborhood would be preferable. “We are very eager to get a local person involved if possible. Although the project manager will be employed by Urban Strategies, we view it as a critical position in terms of working with our residents and making sure they reap all the benefits available to them through the Choice Neighborhoods program.”

Urban Strategies is looking for someone with at least five years of experience in the not-for–profit or human-services sector, preferably with a master’s degree. The position will pay at least $70,000 a year. A link to complete information about the position and how to apply is posted on the housing authority’s Careers webpage, or can be reached directly at https://bit.ly/2LABCDz.

The Housing Authority this week is sending letters to all the residents in Cleveland Avenue Homes to tell them about the services that Urban Strategies will be providing. “We are excited about starting the resident-engagement process,” Cheshire said. “This letter sets the stage in terms of telling the residents what to expect and by getting it out now, we can help expedite the process while we work to get the project manager on board.”

The $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant, awarded last month by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Housing Authority and the City of Winston-Salem, will allow the Housing Authority to replace the 244 existing apartments in Cleveland Avenue Homes with 406 new, mixed-income units. The grant also includes funds for education, workforce development, small business assistance, neighborhood revitalization and other programs, in order to improve the lives of the residents as well as their housing.