Elementary Student Wins National Poster Contest After Regional Triumph

The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority convened on August 20, 2025, to discuss various community initiatives and operational updates. The meeting highlighted significant achievements in community engagement and maintenance operations, as well as financial updates.

One of the notable discussions centered around the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, which celebrated a local student who won a state poster contest titled "What Home Means to Me." The student also secured a regional award and is set to compete for a national award in October. The FSS program recently hosted a successful "Back to School Bash" at Lucy Sims, distributing over 80 backpacks to students and featuring a community fair with various organizations.

Maintenance updates revealed that staff have been actively addressing HVAC issues and unit turnovers. In June, the authority reported five vacancies, which increased to nine in July. However, as of the meeting date, Commerce Village was fully leased, and Franklin Heights was at 98% occupancy, indicating effective management of housing resources.

Financially, the authority reported a decrease in reserves from approximately $1.85 million in June to $1.439 million in July, attributed to scheduled payments to the City of Elsville for Franklin Heights. These payments are expected to conclude by 2029, which will enhance the agency's financial position moving forward.

The meeting concluded with recognition of the staff's hard work in maintaining operational efficiency and community engagement. The authority aims to continue improving its reporting processes and financial health, ensuring ongoing support for housing initiatives in Harrisonburg.