Senior Staff & Property Staff
Senior Staff
You can click a few staff member images for details.
William D. Jones
Executive Director
Curtis Myers Jr., CPA
Deputy Executive Director
Kendall Givens
Director of Community Programming and Resident Services
Jorge Valencia
Director of Modernization
Property Staff
William D. Jones
Executive Director
William Jones is the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth, having served in this capacity since 1996. Mr. Jones is responsible for the day-to-day functions of the Authority including staffing, program implementation, and supervision of the authority’s 1300 plus public housing units and its 1400 plus Section 8 Rental Assistance vouchers. Mr. Jones also serves as Secretary-Treasurer to the Board of Commissioners. He has been with the agency since 1992.
In keeping with the mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth, the Redevelopment Department is dedicated to the ongoing redevelopment of our neighborhoods and the creation of new, healthy, decent, energy-efficient, and affordable residential units. Since 1997, HACE has undertaken major development projects. HACE development strategies have always relied on the strategic investment in the creation and preservation of affordable housing units and partnerships with developers, social service agencies, and public and private entities.
Under the direction of Mr. Jones:
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- HACE successfully submitted a $28 million HOPE VI; Elizabethport Neighborhood Redevelopment Program grant award to completely demolish 655 public housing units and rebuild 557 new units, namely, Pioneer Homes and Migliore Manor, and a Community Center for the residents. As part of this program, HACE received an additional demolition grant of $4.1 million from HUD to develop and implement the award-winning Community Supportive Plan which included educational programs, youth services, case management, and workforce development. The program also included three separate Low-Income Tax Credit Applications prepared with developers and approved by the NJHMFA (New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency). This neighborhood redevelopment plan succeeded in reducing the density and concentration of poverty while spearheading major private investment in real estate. The total investment in infrastructure improvements, geo-technical and environmental remediation, site acquisition and construction was over $122 million.
- In 2011, the J. Christian Bollwage E’port Commons senior housing project was completed, marking the first LEED Gold certified Residential Affordable Housing Development in the State of New Jersey. It serves as a testament to the ability of the Housing Authority to build affordable housing that is designed and environmentally conscious of its effect on residents and the surrounding community. This project consists of a mixed-use development with 30 units of affordable one-bedroom apartments for seniors. The building is comprised of 31 one-bedroom apartments, 4,300 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, and 22 off-street parking spaces. The building is designed to accommodate seniors age 55 and over and is fully accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. The commercial space is owned and occupied by the Elizabeth Development Company. The total development cost was $10 million and HACE was the developer of this project. Funding sources included the Federal Home Loan Bank, The City of Elizabeth, and the NJ Low Income Tax Program.
- HACE was an active partner in the redevelopment of the residential project known as Oakwood Plaza. HACE contributed $3 million of Replacement Housing Factor Funds (RHF) for the redevelopment of the Westminster Heights, an 84-unit family rental project located at 380 Irvington Avenue. The total project development cost was $20 million.
- HACE acquired Marina Village, a 35-unit family project developed with HACE HOPE VI program in partnership with Brand New Day, a local non-profit. After 20 years of service the project was in need of major capital improvements. HACE successfully applied for a Rental Assistance Development program (RAD) and was able to rehabilitate all 35 units and its common spaces. HACE’s total investment in capital improvements was over $1.5 million. The project was also repositioned as a project-based Section 8 development.
- In addition, HACE successfully applied for Low Income Housing Tax Credit from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to develop E’port Family Homes which consist of two family buildings with a combined total of 60 units. These units provide affordable housing and low-income housing for the special needs population. The total development cost is $14 million.
Prior to the Authority, Mr. Jones worked for the City of Elizabeth as Director of Grants Administration where he procured more than $100 million in grants from a variety of sources including the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Green Acres, etc.
He has earned a graduate degree in MSW – Social Policy and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Rutgers University. In addition, he holds a Public Housing Managers Certificate from National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) as well as receiving his certification for Public Housing Authority Executive Director from New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Mr. Jones serves on or has participated with numerous boards and volunteer initiatives in his hometown of Montclair and in Elizabeth.
Disclaimer: Many of the completed projects outlined above pertain to former Director of Redevelopment Jose Sabater as part of the executive board under Mr. Jones’ leadership. Sabater was a dedicated member of the Elizabethport community and his legacy lives on through projects such as HOPE VI, J. Christian Bollwage Eport Commons, and E’Port Family Homes. His memory will always be cherished by those who knew him. Read more about his life and legacy.
Catherine Hart
Deputy Executive Director
cjhart@hacenj.com
(908) 965-2400 ext. 105
The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) is moving forward into an increasingly ambitious period of modernization and redevelopment that will have a transformative impact. Within the recent past few years HUD provided an infusion of $4.3 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Funds (ARRA) to HACE. This initiative of the Obama Administration supplemented, HACE’s annual $2.5 million capital improvement funding allowing for substantial opportunities to complete Capital Improvements to the buildings within HACE’s portfolio of properties. Additionally, the funds will speed up capital improvements to all HACE facilities and bolster social services to our residents to help improve their quality of life.
One of the most noteworthy and transformative developments to impact our agency and the public housing industry in the past twenty-five years is the implementation of HUD’s project-based management system which took effect in 2007. This recent transition has had the greatest effect upon how we conduct our business management practices.
As Deputy Director, I am principally responsible for day-to-day operations at HACE. The new system has radically shifted our mode of operations away from a centralized main office model to a complete decentralization of operations. Essentially, this new way of doing business requires each component of HACE, including; Section 8 Rental Assistance Program, Hope VI, as well as our modernization and maintenance programs to function as their own independent entities.
We now operate at HACE headquarters as a Central Office Cost Center. Under the new system our revenue stream is drawn from fees generated by each entity. Essentially, it’s a much tighter way of doing business.
The new system required that all management and management staff undergo retraining to expand their capability in order to perform in a more holistic way as “real” property managers. The net result, the asset/project based system of doing business fosters greater accountability and produces a more efficient way of conducting business.
For our part at the central office, a lot more effort is devoted to addressing administrative issues to assure conformity to the new HUD model. But, at the end of the day, the payoff is a much more accurate system of accounting concerning expenditure of funds.
This has instilled a greater sense of pride among our staff and, by doing so; it empowers our residents in HACE facilities with a higher standard of living and greater accountability from the central office.
In sum total, our future at HACE is brighter than ever. We are in the midst of the final phases of one of the most dramatic transformations of housing in the history of this agency – that being the Hope VI Housing Program. Hope VI has been a blessing and one of the most exciting ventures in housing development for HACE –one that has given our residents an enormous sense of dignity and pride in where and how they live. The face of Public Housing has evolved in recent years with the start and completion of the HOPE VI revitalization of the Elizabethport neighborhood. The HOPE VI Program was a comprehensive program that provided both affordable housing opportunities as well as economic growth. The Public housing families were at the heart of this program. Their housing needs were identified and new homes were built based upon those needs. Additionally, families were given several options when it was determined that their site would be demolished; they could relocation with a Section 8 Voucher, move to one of the new units being built by a selected Developer, or transfer to another Public Housing Development.
Additionally, the public housing department provides subsidized assistance for over 600 senior/disabled people in our portfolio of properties. Many programs and activities are available to them including Visiting Nurses, Adult Day Care organizations; social and educational programs and trips sponsored by both the Housing Authority and/or resident organizations.
The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program has continued to maintain a portfolio of over 1100 units/participants. HACE has partnered with many local agencies to provide Section 8 Assistance to those income-eligible individuals for; vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities, vouchers for Family Unification, and vouchers for Homeownership Opportunities. These continued collaborations with other organizations enables HACE to provide the much needed supportive services component critical to the success for these residents maintaining housing.
In closing, I am encouraged that HACE has taken tremendous steps toward ushering in an era of growth and that we will continue to work toward greater sustainability in order to foster opportunities for continued growth and progress for our residents.
Curtis Myers, Jr.
Deputy Executive Director
CMyers@hacenj.com
908-965-2400 ext. 141
The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) is moving forward into an increasingly ambitious period of modernization and redevelopment that will have a transformative impact. Within the recent past few years HUD provided an infusion of $4.3 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Funds (ARRA) to HACE. This initiative of the Obama Administration supplemented, HACE’s annual $2.5 million capital improvement funding allowing for substantial opportunities to complete Capital Improvements to the buildings within HACE’s portfolio of properties. Additionally, the funds will speed up capital improvements to all HACE facilities and bolster social services to our residents to help improve their quality of life.
One of the most noteworthy and transformative developments to impact our agency and the public housing industry in the past twenty-five years is the implementation of HUD’s project-based management system which took effect in 2007. This recent transition has had the greatest effect upon how we conduct our business management practices.
As Deputy Director, I am principally responsible for day-to-day operations at HACE. The new system has radically shifted our mode of operations away from a centralized main office model to a complete decentralization of operations. Essentially, this new way of doing business requires each component of HACE, including; Section 8 Rental Assistance Program, Hope VI, as well as our modernization and maintenance programs to function as their own independent entities.
We now operate at HACE headquarters as a Central Office Cost Center. Under the new system our revenue stream is drawn from fees generated by each entity. Essentially, it’s a much tighter way of doing business.
The new system required that all management and management staff undergo retraining to expand their capability in order to perform in a more holistic way as “real” property managers. The net result, the asset/project based system of doing business fosters greater accountability and produces a more efficient way of conducting business.
For our part at the central office, a lot more effort is devoted to addressing administrative issues to assure conformity to the new HUD model. But, at the end of the day, the payoff is a much more accurate system of accounting concerning expenditure of funds.
This has instilled a greater sense of pride among our staff and, by doing so; it empowers our residents in HACE facilities with a higher standard of living and greater accountability from the central office.
In sum total, our future at HACE is brighter than ever. We are in the midst of the final phases of one of the most dramatic transformations of housing in the history of this agency – that being the Hope VI Housing Program. Hope VI has been a blessing and one of the most exciting ventures in housing development for HACE –one that has given our residents an enormous sense of dignity and pride in where and how they live. The face of Public Housing has evolved in recent years with the start and completion of the HOPE VI revitalization of the Elizabethport neighborhood. The HOPE VI Program was a comprehensive program that provided both affordable housing opportunities as well as economic growth. The Public housing families were at the heart of this program. Their housing needs were identified and new homes were built based upon those needs. Additionally, families were given several options when it was determined that their site would be demolished; they could relocation with a Section 8 Voucher, move to one of the new units being built by a selected Developer, or transfer to another Public Housing Development.
Additionally, the public housing department provides subsidized assistance for over 600 senior/disabled people in our portfolio of properties. Many programs and activities are available to them including Visiting Nurses, Adult Day Care organizations; social and educational programs and trips sponsored by both the Housing Authority and/or resident organizations.
The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program has continued to maintain a portfolio of over 1100 units/participants. HACE has partnered with many local agencies to provide Section 8 Assistance to those income-eligible individuals for; vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities, vouchers for Family Unification, and vouchers for Homeownership Opportunities. These continued collaborations with other organizations enables HACE to provide the much needed supportive services component critical to the success for these residents maintaining housing.
In closing, I am encouraged that HACE has taken tremendous steps toward ushering in an era of growth and that we will continue to work toward greater sustainability in order to foster opportunities for continued growth and progress for our residents.
Finance Department
For many years the Housing Authority’s stellar achievements have been supported and sustained by the accounting department’s auditing practices, fiscal year-end results and by the manner in which the department consistently meets HUD required financial standards.
Cash Receipts – the accounting department receives all monies and make certain they are properly identified and recorded, and deposited in the appropriate checking account.
Cash Disbursements – Processing payroll checks are one of the more noticeable back-office activities of the accounting department. However, they are not the only checks written during the course of the year. The accounting department writes checks to pay for a wide variety of purchases. Checks are prepared and signed by those who are authorized to sign checks, and all supporting documents are filed away for proper record keeping.
Procurement and Inventory – the accounting department keeps track of all purchases that have been placed into inventory and all other assets and services that the Housing Authority acquires. Construction projects and professional services are procured and analyzed using criteria established by the State of New Jersey as well as procurements standards established by HUD.
Financial Reporting – the accounting department reports the financial position of the Housing Authority for the purposes of presenting its operating performance. It is the process of assessing and summarizing all the financial transactions and aspects of the agency. Financial reporting is governed by statutory law, and is done according to accounting and ethical standards.
Administration Department
The administration department of the Housing Authority works diligently to manage its human resources. Through the implementation of strategies and policies governed by federal, state and local labor laws, the administration department is responsible for ensuring the general well-being of all members of staff. This includes managing health benefits, enhancing employee motivation, commitment and productivity, union negotiations, and training to further develop employee skills. The administration department also ensures that all employees are aware of the latest health and safety procedures.
Jorge Valencia
Director of Modernization
jvalencia@hacenj.com
908-965-2400 ext. 128
Continuing its goal to uphold the Authority’s Mission to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for all its residents, for decades the Modernization Department has improved upon existing structures with the use of the Capital Fund Program Dollars.
As Director of Modernization for the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth, my primary responsibility is to maintain the rehabilitation and modernization of existing structures for all public housing facilities eligible under the Capital Improvements Program. Additionally, my responsibilities encompass the administration of millions of dollars in capital improvement funding secured through the HUD Capital Fund Formula. Capital funding resources not only aid our efforts to make needed upgrades to our facilities, they also help to create and/or retain new jobs for residents and local contractors through the section 3 program. In accordance with the HACE Capital Five-year Plan, the department has completed the following projects:
Mravlag Manor:
- New Addition to the Community Center which now houses HACE’s Family success Center. The Building now also contains the Mravlag Manor Managers office through the addition of another 1,086 square feet to the building.
- Security Systems: HACE has completely updated building security camera system site-wide.
- HACE has completed phase I of a site-wide window replacement project for Mravlag Manor. This first phase entailed the complete replacement of all windows to six buildings.
- HACE has recently completed building façade restoration at Mravlag Manor. The work entailed brick repointing, select lintel replacement, and hallway window replacement site-wide.
Senior High Rise Sites:
Recent work completed at the Senior sites includes:
O’Donnell Dempsey: complete window replacement with new aluminum windows, parking lot resurfacing
Kennedy Arms: parking area resurfacing, also now under contract is a complete apartment window replacement and new balcony doors for the units that have a balcony
Ford Leonard: under contract for this site is a façade restoration
Farley Towers: recent projects for this site include a new heat and hot water system, under contract is a complete window replacement for the site
Under HUD’s asset/project management operating system, the challenges are formidable but we, at HACE, are firm in our resolve to meet the challenge. We envision this new challenge as an exciting window of opportunity to establish a legacy of excellence in making our facilities and programs a shining example of public housing nationally.
Jose Sabater
Director of Redevelopment
908-965-2400 ext. 106
This project included the demolition of 655 public housing units and the construction of 557 new residential units and a Community Center for the residents. This neighborhood redevelopment plan succeeded in reducing the density and concentration of poverty while spearheading major private investment in real estate. The total investment in infrastructure improvements, geo-technical and environmental remediation, site acquisition and construction was over $122 million.
Simultaneously as part of the HOPE VI program, the staff developed and implemented the award-winning Community Supportive Plan which included an investment of over four million dollars in educational programs, youth services, case management and workforce development.
In 2011, the J. Christian Bollwage E’port Commons senior housing project was completed. This project consists of a mixed-use development with 30 units of affordable one-bedroom apartments for seniors and 3,760 SF of commercial space on the ground floor. The commercial space is owned and occupied by the Elizabeth Development Company. The project is certified as a LEED Gold building and the total development cost was $10 million. The Housing Authority was the developer of this project.
HACE is presently an active partner in the redevelopment of the residential project known as Oakwood Plaza. HACE contributed three million dollars of Replacement Housing Factor Funds (RHF) for the redevelopment of the Westminster Heights, an 84 unit family rental project located at 380 Irvington Avenue. The total project development cost was $20 million.
HACE acquired Marina Village, a 35 unit family project developed with HACE HOPE VI program in partnership with Brand New Day, a local non-profit. After 20 years of service the project was in need of major capital improvements. HACE successfully applied for a Rental Assistance Development program (RAD) and was able to rehabilitate all 35 units and its common spaces. HACE’s total investment in capital improvements was over 1.5 million dollars. The project was also repositioned as a project base section 8 development.
In addition, HACE successfully applied for Low Income Housing Tax Credit from the New Jersey Home Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to develop E’port Family Homes which consist of two family buildings with a combined total of 60 units. The total development cost is 14 million dollars. These units will provide affordable housing and low-income housing for the special needs population. Both buildings are presently under construction and the anticipated completion date is July- August of 2021.The total development cost is projected to be about 9 million dollars.
HACE development strategies have always relied on the strategic investment on the creation and preservation of affordable housing units and the developments of partnerships with developers, social service agencies and public and private entities.