Planning & Grants Department - Paterson Housing Authority

Carol E. Gladis - Director Planning & Grants

Mrs. Carol E. Gladis
Director of Planning
and Grants

Grants Department

The Planning & Grants Department handles all the social services and self sufficiency programs for the Authority. These are considered "soft services" as they relate directly to the well being of the residents. Program development and implementation are the main focus of the Planning & Grants Department mission.

Programs are designed to meet the needs of the residents. This is done through surveys, interaction with residents, and input from resident councils.

More Information about the Grants Department:

Obtaining funding and writing competitive grants to support resident services is an ongoing effort by the grants staff. Additionally, developing partnerships with various agencies and social service providers to bring services to the residents is a key component. The Planning & Grants Department has eight staff members who implement and monitor an array of services for children, adults and seniors.

Services include but are not limited to after school programs, summer day camps, self sufficiency programs, homeownership counseling, computer training, community policing, exercise and nutrition programs, training programs, family counseling, and senior services. The Grants Department also produces the newsletter, updates the agency website: www.patersonhousingauthority.com and conducts policy development.

For additional information on the services available to residents, contact the following staff:

Position Opened

Homeownership Counseling

973 345-5085

Marlene Gutierrez

Senior ROSS Program

973 345-6529

PHA Housing Counselor. Homeownership Counseling Grant Awarded

The Paterson Housing Authority received a $50,000 Homeownership Counseling Grant from the Paterson's Department of Community Development. This grant will make it possible for the PHA to offer Homebuyer Education Classes to all applicants of the City's Down-Payment Assistance Grant Program. Classes focus on how to purchase a home, how to manage budgeting and credit issues, as well as discuss predatory lending and fair housing. Anyone interested in participating in the Homeownership Counseling Program may call Lissette Garcia at 973 345-5085.

Housing Counseling Program Update

Through the Housing Counseling Program, the PHA has served 104 clients for the period October 2005 to June 2006. This year's goal is to assist five clients to purchase a home; to date four participants have successfully purchased homes.

The Authority has expanded its Housing Counseling Program to include post-purchase issues such as foreclosure prevention and home maintenance after purchase. In this effort the Authority provided the first post-purchase workshop during the 5th Annual Homebuyers Fair. A second post-purchase workshop will be held in August. Classes are currently being enrolled for August and September. If you are interested in participating in any of the program components, please call Lissette Garcia at 973 345-5085.

RESIDENT OPPORTUNITY & SELF SUFFICIENCY (ROSS) FAMILY PROGRAM

There is a lot going on at the Alexander Hamilton Development with the ROSS Family Programs underway. Residents can now take advantage of a wide variety of activities and services designed to assist with improving their economic self-sufficiency.

NEED A JOB? Carolyn McCombs and the New Destiny Community Corporation (NDCC) are currently providing employability counseling and life skills services which are designed to benefit AHD residents for a lifetime. NDCC's hours of operation are Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Thursday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? The Foundation of Hope Youth Services and the City of Paterson Youth Services Bureau (YSB) are available to provide services to our youth residing in the development. The Foundation of Hope provides behavioral health intensive services to guide youth on a path of being positive, successful and productive citizens. Hours of operation for Foundation of Hope are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The YSB provides individual, group and family counseling to residents of AHD. Counseling offered by the YSB is intended not just for the youth but also the entire family.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR FINANCES? The ROSS Family Program in partnership with PNC Bank provides Financial Literacy Workshops for residents and their family members. The first two workshops held in June covered basic budgeting and credit management. Additional workshops will begin in the fall of 2006. Stay tuned!

NEED HELP MAKING ENDS MEET? St. Paul's CDC is available to provide Post-TANF outreach to residents at AHD who have been off TANF for two years or more, and for families needing additional assistance. Information on Medicaid and rental assistance is provided as a means of maintaining and/or improving self-sufficiency. Residents can visit the ROSS Family Program office and talk to Ms. Shati Gerald, Program Coordinator. Her office is located in Bldg. 214-Suite E/F at the Alexander Hamilton Development.

HOPE VI Community Center News

The HOPE VI Community Center, 60 Temple Street, will be the new home of the Youth Services Bureau, the Paterson Athletic League, and the Paterson School District's PEP 21 Program. Special programs will be offered at the facility for the neighborhood to enjoy. Portions of the building will also be available for private event rentals.