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The Harris County Housing Authority today honored five local social service agencies for their exceptional service and commitment to the implementation of the Disaster Housing Assistance Program in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Guy Rankin, CEO and executive director of the HCHA, and the HCHA’s Board of Commissioners presented the award to Neighborhood Centers, Inc., Houston Area Urban League, Harris County Community Services Department, City of Houston’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Focused Care Project and Family Services of Greater Houston for their “World Class Dedication to Mankind.”

“We are so grateful to our amazing social service partners,” Rankin said. “Without their dedication and commitment to providing top-notch social services and case management to families in need, DHAP would not have been the success it is today.”

The HCHA partnered with each of the five social service agencies to provide social services and case management support to more than 6,500 families in the DHAP Harris County Katrina/Rita program, as well as case management services to more than 2,500 families in 41 states throughout the country through the housing authority’s national program for disasters DHAP USA.

“The unique care and support of the Harris County Housing Authority’s leadership coupled with the DHAP Program’s focus on self-sufficiency enabled our case management efforts to soar,” said Carolyn Scantlebury, project manager with City of Houston’s Focused Care Project.

The DHAP Program has been instrumental in placing families into safe and sanitary housing following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and now Ike. The program is unique in that it encompasses a critical social services element so families could be given the tools needed to rely less on government assistance and more on themselves.

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Angela Blanchard, president and CEO, Neighborhood Centers, Inc. “Thousands of people relied on the DHAP program and the efforts of case management staff to get back on their feet and reach permanent self-sufficiency. Our team was privileged to work with the HCHA as a part of this amazing effort.”