Annual Report 2017-2018

The storm’s wrath affected many clients and properties of the Beaumont Housing Authority.  Many of the housing units suffered roof or ceiling damage from wind and heavy rain.

• Over 30 homes in the scattered sites inventory received intensive damage because of water infiltration.
• 95 units at Regent I suffered interior damage. All roofs suffered some damage.
• 71 units at Pointe North suffered interior damage. All roofs suffered some damage, as well as some exterior components.
• 11 units at The Crossing suffered interior damage, mainly from water infiltration near the windows.
• 5 units at Northridge Manor suffered interior damage, mainly to the ceiling areas.
• 72 units at Lexington had interior damage, and the entire property suffered exterior damage.

The BHA action plan for recovery was executed with strength, speed, and teamwork. The camaraderie among clients, employees, city workers, and neighbors lifted spirits and launched progress for so many. We are so proud of the work and selflessness of our community.

Client Success with Family Self-Sufficiency

Tracy Lewis is the proud new owner of a beautiful home in Beaumont. Through hard work, personal commitment, and consistent participation in the program, she’s an ideal example of how individuals and families become homeowners through FSS with the BHA.

“I was pregnant with my daughter at the time and trying to learn all I could about owning a house,” she says. “I didn’t even know about the FSS program until Mrs. Judy (Landry) of the BHA office informed me of it and said I qualified. She encouraged me.”

The two teamed up and formed an action plan. They began by setting goals and then took steps for staying the course. “Setting the goals to achieve made it easier… it wasn’t overwhelming,” says Ms. Lewis.

The process took about four years until she felt she could make the down payment and furnish the house. In the summer of 2019, she moved into her new home with a bright new future.

Ms. Lewis enthusiastically recommends the FSS program to others and stresses the importance of asking questions, seeking opportunities, and sticking with it. “Do anything you can to further your financial literacy. And don’t just stop at the FSS because there are other programs you can benefit from, like the iOwn 19. This includes learning to set up savings, planning, credit…the A-to-Z to buy a home. This worked for me and can work for anyone,” she suggests.

The BHA is proud to be a part of Ms. Lewis’ success story. We congratulate her and her daughter on their new house, and we look forward to great things ahead.

Looking Ahead

As expected, BHA is facing challenges in funding and availability for housing. After Harvey, the waiting list has increased 173%. This is a top priority, but so many factors depend on government allocation of money and we know that Beaumont isn’t the only market vying for this attention. The lack of available land in high opportunity areas of Beaumont present a different challenge for building new housing and addressing the needs of so many.

The challenges have never kept BHA down, though. In fact, the future looks bright for BHA and its thriving community of residents, staff, partners, and friends.

Allison Landrum was named the new Executive Director at the close of 2018 (after Reyna’s official retirement date of Dec. 14, 2018).  Landrum was originally hired by Robert Reyna to work with him at the Houston Housing Authority over 20 years ago. Then in 2003, she joined Reyna here at the Beaumont Housing Authority when he took the reins.

As BHA’s former communications coordinator and grant development director, Landrum brings a wealth of successful experience directly in the field. The new Executive Director has a proven record of working through challenges and pulling people together for excellent results, including her roles in bringing $70+ million in funding for building affordable housing in Beaumont. Reyna is quick to point out how pivotal and important her role was in restoring confidence and success in BHA when they first took over, saying she worked with partners, vendors, government officials and more to reach goal after goal.

Landrum is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.S. in Communications. “I am excited to continue the Legacy that Reyna has left for the agency. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we have much to be proud of and to celebrate. A lot is on the horizon.”

New Construction

Despite the challenge of getting funding and relief from Hurricane Harvey, 2019 has already started off strong with the commencement of construction of the Regent II subdivision, which includes 82 single-family lots for homeownership.

Landrum and BHA applied for and received Hurricane Harvey recovery funds to build two new properties along opposite ends of Major Drive. The new senior living units will be Century Heights while the new family complex will be Trinity Grove. Construction will begin in 2020 with completion scheduled for 2021.

With foundational elements in place, programs and supportive resources hard at work, and experience in position to lead and serve, the Beaumont Housing Authority looks forward to our next step in a new successful season—for healing, for helping, and for hope.