Tag Archives: Housing Authority of the City of El Paso

The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, TX (HACEP) officially launches its 7^th annual art contest with this year’s theme, The Transformation of El Paso. HACEP’s annual art contest is open to everyone who resides within the El Paso region, to include the areas of El Paso County.

“Part of redefining public housing is effectively sharing our transformation,” shares HACEP Chief Executive Officer Gerald Cichon. “The annual art contest gives both our residents and the greater El Paso community an opportunity to be part of this historic transformation.”

Entry is completely free, artists will have till Friday, June 1 to submit their work which will be displayed in El Paso’s Downtown Public Library. Winners of each category will be announced in mid-June at the HACEP Art Gallery Reception.

This year’s art contest theme ties into HACEP’s current efforts as it continues to lead the nation in the first, largest revitalization effort for affordable housing through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) initiative. Nearly half of the agency’s housing portfolio has undergone a complete transformation across the city of El Paso.

The Transformation of El Paso capture’s HACEP’s efforts that is five years underway as well as the great work of other organizations, government entities and private-sector partners to help grow, develop and improve the greater community of El Paso. As the old adage goes, ‘a picture can say a thousand words,’ HACEP is seeking out artists of any level to participate this year’s art contest to help capture a pivotal moment in El Paso’s history.”

The 7^th Annual HACEP Art Contest is open to all residents of El Paso County, including students aged 11 years and older. Participants are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity to visually capture this year’s theme in any artistic medium of their choice (e.g. painting, photography, video, sculpture, etc.).

Winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of El Pasoan judges from different disciplines in the art world and announced at a special reception. Award winners will receive a cash prize, a highlight in the local media, featured online and in HACEP’s newsletter that has a distribution of over 40,000.

For more information, entry requirements, registration and promotional materials, visit HACEP’s Website.

In commemoration of Father’s Day, multiple community organizations will partner with the Housing Authority to host a free Health Fair at the HACEP main offices on 5300 East Paisano Drive.

The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP) is also participating in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initiative to bring awareness on the vital role fathers (and parents) serve in a child’s physical and emotional well-being through the theme of “Building Healthy Families.”

“It is important that through these events we connect the fathers in our communities with resources immediately available to them so that they have the opportunity to provide and guide their families to live a healthy and fulfilling life,” expresses HACEP CEO Gerald Cichon. “HUD’s Father’s Day initiative is on target for improving the lives of children across the nation. As an agency, we are choosing to be a part of this for the betterment of the 40,000 El Pasoans we support.”

According to Fatherhood online, actively connecting public services and organizations with residents who live in the community can dramatically improve their quality of life. Research goes on to say that these connections are most effective when made available through community events.

Only then will families across the country know where and what type of support, healthy programs and resources are immediately dispensable to strengthen and improve their lives.

Watch HUD Secretary Carson’s video message.

WHAT:                 HUD’s National Father’s Day Initiative celebrated by HACEP

WHEN:                 Saturday, June 17 @ 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:          HACEP Main Office  5300 E. Paisano Drive

*Parking and entrance along Cortez Drive

During the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso’s (HACEP) participation at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) ‘The Stand Down” several local homeless veterans began their path to affordable housing.

As a result of the HACEP’s participation in the VA’s annual event, 14 homeless Veterans were processed to receive a HUD-VASH voucher that will assist in providing them affordable housing, even after announcements from the federal government that all additional funding for this program would cease after 2015.

The Stand Down event is held annually in which community partners all come together to offer Veterans information and services in areas such as job placement and training, education, healthcare, housing assistance, etc. HACEP, a long time participant of the event, uses this as an opportunity to inform Veterans of the HUD-VASH Voucher program that will assist homeless Veterans find clean, safe and affordable housing.

“HACEP is honored to assist each of these Veterans and their families with the HUD-VASH Voucher as part of their first step to achieving self-sufficiency,” shares HACEP’s Board Chair Burt Blacksher.

Blacksher added, “Just like Brothers in Arms who assist each other on the field of battle with the motto that no one will be left behind, HACEP strongly believes in being part of that process in cooperation with the VA.”

The strength of the partnership between the VA and HACEP grew exponentially in 2008 when President Barack Obama first launched his initiative to eradicate Veteran homelessness through the HUD-VASH Voucher Program, which would run through 2015.

After an official announcement that additional vouchers funded through the HUD-VASH program would cease after 2015, the need across the nation kept the program paving way for El Paso to receive 13 additional vouchers this year, for a total of 239 vouchers since its inception.

“The ability to serve our community truly lies in the strength of our partnerships,” expresses El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser after learning of the 14 Veterans assigned HUD-VASH vouchers. “Programs like HUD-VASH can exist nationwide but it is the partnership between our City, HACEP and the VA who ensure these resources are brought locally to those in need.”

For some HACEP team members, the Processing Event hit a little closer to home as HCV (Housing Choice Voucher) Special Programs Technician Ray Ortega, a Veteran himself, processed some of the 14 HUD-VASH vouchers assigned today.

“Serving as a HACEP team member gives me a sense of pride to continue to serve my community after I proudly served my country,” shares Ortega.

“But today was extra special because today it is like handing my fellow servicemen the keys to a brighter future.”