Congratulations to Hope Boyd who received the 2022 Lottie Lee Memorial Scholarship.  

Hope is a 2022 graduate of Lake Forest High School and will be attending the Delaware Technical & Community College in the Fall.  Her strong problem solving skills as well as her exceptional creativity will serve her well as she pursues a career in Interior Design. 

Along with her involvement in sports teams and scholastic clubs, Hope find time to also volunteer in the community.  As a visiting volunteer in Charleston, WV she was Youth Director at St. Paul AME Church.  In addition she volunteered for more than 100 hours with Code Purple of Kent County assisting homeless women.  

Hope Boyd’s accomplishments included placing in the Mispillion Art League Showcase of Young Artists.  She also won the Eastern Regional Competition, sponsored by the Chapter of Links of Dover, DE, by composing an original song bringing attention to mental health.

This is the first year of a 4 year $4,000 scholarship that Hope will be eligible for as she continues her education. 

Pam Ferguson, DE NAHRO Immediate Past President, presented the scholarship check to Hope Boyd on August 31, 2022.  Hope was wished much success in furthering her education.

The following Slate of Officers was presented by the Nominating Committee for Board Member positions at the May 2022 Annual Business Meeting and were approved as presented:

VP Housing & CD          Devon Manning, Delaware State Housing Authority

VP Mem/Prof Dev           Denise MacLeish, Retired, USDA Rural Development

At Large Members 2024  Class

Danielle Darring, Ajpc Management, LLC

Mimi Rayl, University of Delaware

**All positions are for 2 year terms except for Vice President of Housing & Community Development and Vice President of Membership & Professional Development which are both for 1 year terms.

==========================================================

DE NAHRO Accomplishments

January 2021 through December 2021

Trainings/Educational Forums

• Understanding the Fair Housing Act
  • Training held on March 3, 2021
  • AJ Johnson – instructor
  • PolyTech Adult Education Center in Woodside
  • 233 attendees
  • Two Sessions – am for Managers & pm for Maintenance Staff
  • Training was held virtually
• Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in Delaware: A Community Conversation Webinar

                        *   May 21^st – Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice         (AI): An Overview

                        *   June 1^st  – Impact of the AI on Housing at the Local Level

                        *   June 11^th –  Upcoming Federal and State Legislation                                                      affecting the Housing Sector

                        *   This 3 session webinar discussed the State of Delaware’s                                         comprehensive analysis of impediments to Fair Housing                                           Choice in Delaware.  The three session included                                                       presentations from expert practitioners on an overview of                                         the State’s report on the Analysis of Impediments(AI) to                                             Fair Housing choice, as well as its impact on local                                                     communities, and how upcoming Federal and State                                                   Legislation will impact the Housing Sector.

                        *   Over 76 attendees participated in the 3 sessions

Membership 

• 34 Individual members and 18 Agency members
• DE NAHRO Board members have volunteered to be part of the following DE NAHRO Committees
  • MARC NAHRO Board – Carrie Casey
  • Lottie Lee Memorial Scholarship Committee – Andrea Wozny, Brandy Nauman, Pam Ferguson
  • Annual Meeting Committee –Mike Fortner, Devon Manning, Tracey Harvey, Mimi Rayl, Carrie Casey,
  • Poster Contest Subcommittee – Brandy Nauman, Tracey Harvey, Devon Manning and Pam Ferguson.
  • Professional Development – Devon Manning, Pam Ferguson, Denise McLeish & Danielle Darring
  • Policy Subcommittee – Tracey Harvey, Sean Kelly and Maggie Cook Pleasant
  • Membership Committee – Denise McLeish, Rufus Mincey, Matthew Alexander
• Carrie Casey as DE NAHRO President is an active member of all committees.

Strategic Planning

In 2021 the following thrusts, identified in a Strategic Planning Meeting in 2017, continue to be addressed.

• Strengthen and enhance training and professional development opportunities for our members.
• Increase our advocacy efforts and activities for our mission and our members.
• Create strong membership development strategies that include:
  • Recruiting, retaining and reclaiming members
  • Networking
  • Mentoring program
• Continue to embrace and proclaim diversity and inclusion by design.
• Foster and support a relationship-rich organization

Fiscal Support

• In 2010, DE NAHRO created a Scholarship Fund Program for graduating high school students residing in subsidized housing in Delaware. An initial amount of $10,000 was set aside so that annually a $1,000 scholarship could be awarded to a student furthering their education at a 2 or 4 year college.  In 2012 and 2013 the Scholarship Committee made two significant changes to the program:  1) Scholarship Recipients can re-apply for subsequent funds of $1,000 each year for another 3 years making it a total of 4 years of funds available to continue their secondary education; 2) DE NAHRO will set aside 20% of the net receipts each year for the Scholarship Program.

         >In 2021 DE NAHRO renamed the Scholarship Program to the “Lottie   Lee Memorial Scholarship Program.”  This was done in honor of Lottie       Lee’s commitment and support she gave to the low income community.           $205 was donated to the scholarship fund in memory of Lottie Lee.

• DE NAHRO was a member and supported the Non-Profit Housing Agenda efforts to advocate and educate legislators on low & moderate income housing & community development issues.

Communications

• Notes from DE NAHRO have been published over 12 times informing membership about: upcoming DE NAHRO or National NAHRO trainings; job postings available for members and their tenants/clients; and changes to federal policies/programs.
• In 2021 six children residing in affordable husing in grades 1^st through 12^th grade made a submission. DE NAHRO awarded the first place winners a prize of $100 gift card & a blue ribbon and the second place winners a prize of $50 gift card & a red ribbon in each age category.

  Elementary School Age Winners

                          1^st Place –  Jayden & Shamar Daniels, Wilmington

                          2^nd Place –  Roemello Stanford, New Castle County 

Middle School Age Winners                  

                           1^st Place –  Cameron Miller, Selbyville               

                            2^nd Place –  TaBreia Johnson Briscoe, Wilmington

Honoring Lottie Lee

The DE NAHRO Board on February 11, 2021 passed a motion to Honor the late Lottie Lee by dedicating the DE NAHRO Scholarship Fund in her name; The Lottie Lee Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Lottie served on and off the DE NAHRO Board for more than 25 years. She believed that all Delawareans should have a safe and decent place to live. During her most recent time on the Board she served as the Chair of the DE NAHRO Scholarship Fund.

The Fund provides $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors that are continuing their education at a 4 year, 2 year or trade school. The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years; for a total of $4,000.

Believing in the need for higher education, the Lottie Lee Memorial Scholarship Fund will help make it possible for many young people living in affordable housing to reach their goal in life.

If you would like to make a donation toward the Lottie Lee Memorial Scholarship Fund please send a check to DE NAHRO, P.O. Box 7045, Newark, DE 19714-7045 noting it is for the Lottie Lee Memorial Scholarship Fund in the memo line or with a credit card by clicking – Donate to Lottie Lee Memorial Scholarship Fun

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Delaware
The Hercules Building
1313 N. Market Street, Suite 400
P. O. Box 2046 (302) 573-6277
Wilmington, Delaware 19899-2046 FAX (302) 573-6220

Re: Sexual Harassment in Housing and the COVID-19 Crisis

Greetings,

In these unprecedented times and as the nation continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we see the need to re-affirm our commitment to eradicating sexual harassment in housing in our district. Sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, and others with control over housing may violate the federal Fair Housing Act. The Department of Justice, through the Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney’s Offices, remains unwavering in the enforcement of this vital statute.

As a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis, many in our communities have found themselves out of work, furloughed, or otherwise in dire financial straits. As a result, many have been forced to seek abatements or suspensions of their rent, or seek other accommodations during this time. While many landlords and housing providers have responded with understanding, there are reports that others have seen an opportunity to exploit the financially vulnerable through demands for sexual acts and other unwelcome sexual conduct. This appalling behavior is illegal and will not be tolerated.

The Fair Housing act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and the Department of Justice are the federal agencies that enforce the Fair Housing Act, with each playing an important role. Both agencies have launched a special initiative focused specifically on combatting sexual harassment in housing.

Recently, David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, issued a press release announcing the office’s efforts to combat sexual harassment in housing. Please know that the Justice Department stands ready to investigate reports of sexual harassment in housing and to pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.

In your role, you may be in a position to hear directly from victims of this invidious conduct. We ask that you please contact us should you have any questions or receive any reports of sexual harassment in housing, and that you also refer victims to file a complaint with HUD. We also encourage you to report sexual harassment in housing to the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov.

Launched in 2017, the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. For more information, please visit the Initiative’s webpage. The Initiative has developed a number of resources and outreach materials that you are welcome to use, including information sheets for advocates, flyers in 13 languages, palm cards, and a partnership toolkit. We have also developed a PSA on sexual harassment in housing, which we encourage you to share on social media, and a longer video about Working with DOJ to Stop Sexual Harassment in Housing.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue. You, your organization, and the community you serve, are in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
DAVID C. WEISS
United States Attorney
By: /s/ Derick D. Dailey
Derick D. Dailey
Assistant United States Attorney

The following links are provided by HUD and National NAHRO. To View, Copy and Paste to your browser.

• COVID19: How to Prepare & Protect Yourself —– https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus
• COVID19: Resources for Housing Authorities —– https://www.nahro.org/news-publications/covid-19-resources-for-housing-authorities/
• Framework for COVID19 Homelessness Response: Responding to the Intersecting Crises of Homelessness and COVID19 —– http://www.denahro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COVID-Framework-4.29.2020-1-2.pdf