EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine May 2020 | Page 30

THE DAYTONA BEACH HOUSING
AUTHORITY: HELPING TO BUILD A
BETTER COMMUNITY FOR US ALL
by Terril Bates
CEO, Daytona Beach Housing Authority
For over 30 years, I have worked in various capacities
with Public Housing Authorities across the United
States. In October of 2018, I purchased a home in
Daytona Beach and began my new position with the
Daytona Beach Housing Authority. Every Wednesday is
my “beach day.” After work I head to the beach, always
amazed at the beauty of the ocean, the feel of the sand
under my feet, the sun and wind touching my skin. I am
amazed that I can leave my office and, within 10 minutes,
be in a virtual paradise. From my perspective, Daytona
Beach offers a wealth of opportunities to our community,
beginning with the beautiful setting we are blessed to
call home. It is from this vantage point that I say, the road
ahead for the Housing Authority, and by extension the
greater Daytona Community, is bright.
The Daytona Beach Housing Authority, better known
as the HACDB (Housing Authority City of Daytona
Beach) provides housing assistance, via units owned
and managed by the Authority, for more than 600 heads
of households through our public housing program.
Recently, we received approval from the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development to participate in a
program known as Rental Assistance Demonstration. This
process will permit us to reposition our entire portfolio
through substantial rehabilitation, new construction or
demolition. It is estimated that the total project investment
will be in the range of $50mil -$100mil. These funds will
largely be leveraged from private investment, low income
tax credits and debt. The final outcome will be the creation
of new housing stock and the elimination of the 30-50 year
old structures currently in our “public housing” portfolio.
Congress has mandated protections for the current
residents. In cases where individuals must be temporarily
relocated while their property is renovated, their “right
to return” is guaranteed. Our plans also include up to 300
additional units for low income persons, which will serve
those earning up to 80% of the area median income which
is $48,000 for a family of four.
We are excited about the possibilities this level of
development offers the tenants we currently serve and
the community at large. Approximately 20-30% of the
project cost will be associated with more jobs, job training,
and professional and skilled trades, such as architects,
plumbers, electricians and general construction workers.
In addition, products like windows, doors, cabinets and
associated merchandise will be purchased. The economic
impact to the larger Daytona Beach business community
will be significant, but most importantly, this project
will shed a positive light on the need for affordable
housing and improve the living conditions of low income
households in our area.
In addition to the public housing properties, HACDB
administers a Housing Choice Voucher or Section 8
program. This program permits low income participants
to select private market units in an area of their choice,
allowing them to consider proximity to work, schools,
churches, medical providers or other factors that are
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