Arona Hamlin
Portage,IN
Summary
Highly experienced Senior-Level Leader with over 20 years of expertise in administrative management. Proven track record in providing exceptional leadership support and guidance to the Special Applications Center (SAC) staff, as well as internal and external clientele. Deep knowledge and specialized experience in navigating the intricacies of Section 18 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, homeownership under Section 32 of the Housing Act, and voluntary conversion under Sections 33 and 22 of the 1937 Housing Act.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Neighborhood and Community Investment Specialist
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
01.2006 - Current
- Review applications for accuracy and compliance with SAC based upon Section 18, 22,32 and 33 of the United States Housing Act of 1937; and Section 24 CFR 970
- Complete initial reviews and recommend approvals of: Section 18 Demolition/Disposition; DeMinimis, Eminent Domain, Section 22 and 33 Conversions and Section 32 Homeownership applications submitted by Housing Authorities nationwide
- Review and approve Total Development Cost (TDC) estimate cost of rehabilitation
- Review Architecture & Engineering Physical Needs Assessments (PNA’s)
- Scan applications, supporting documents and approval letters to the Inventory Management System/Public and Indian Housing Information Center (IMS/PIC) system
- Manually create initial application in Public Inventory Management System/Public and Indian Housing Information Center (IMS/PIC) system if the Housing Authority (HA) unable to submit electronically
- Contact Field Office of Public Housing Director and Office of Finance and Accounting for additional information requested by SAC department
- Work in concert with Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to eliminate housing discrimination
- Provide technical assistance to the Field Office and FHEO in the realm of Section 18 of the United States Housing Act of 1937; and Section 24 CFR 970
- Prepare responses to FOIA request
- Run mandatory monthly application tracking metrics
- Process amendments and complete reviews within allotted time frame
- Work directly with Housing Authority’s and/or Consultants
- Write Site Review Reports upon returning from the site visits
- Complete urgent assignments before deadline
- Provide technical assistance to potential applicants through regular follow-ups, addressing concerns promptly and maintaining open lines of communication.
Public Housing Property Manager
Gary Housing Authority
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Successfully managed 50 development buildings/528 units and 5 scattered site single-family homes
- Monitored HUD approved Assets Management Project (AMP) budget
- Manage all aspects of day-to-day operations as multi-site owner and practitioner of GHA
- Supervised a staff of 17 (assistant manager, office clerks, maintenance foreman’s and maintenance team)
- Delegated tasks as appropriate, scheduled work and monitored performance
- Approved and disapproved (RFLAs) Request for Lease Approval
- Conduct monthly staff meetings
- Conducted performance appraisals of subordinates and filed corrective actions in accordance with GHA policies
- Prepared and maintained monthly reports and records (occupancy, vacancy, evictions and non-payment of rent)
- Maintained 85% or more occupancy monthly
- Conducted routine inspections: building grounds, non-dwelling buildings and common areas
- Inspected and performed quality control inspection to certify compliance with HUD (Housing Quality Standards) HQS inspections
- Accepted and processed resident complaints
- Executed eviction notices for non-payment of rent or undesirable residents
- Appeared in court on behalf of the Authority
- Prepared Request for Proposals (RFP) for contractor services
- Enforced Equal Housing laws and regulations
- Prepared Reports – HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director
- Attend Monthly HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director meetings
Assisted Housing/Section 8 Director
Gary Housing Authority
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Supervised a staff of 10 (secretary, intake representatives and site inspectors)
- Delegated tasks as appropriate, scheduled work and monitored performance
- Provide training courses for staff
- Conducted performance appraisals of subordinates and filed corrective actions in accordance with GHA policies
- Prepared and submitted monthly reports and records to the Executive Director and Board of Commissioners
- Enforced Equal Housing laws and regulations
- Accepted applicant request for informal reviews and processed them accordingly
- Executed eviction notices for non-payment of rent or undesirable residents
- Accepted and processed residents/landlord complaints
- Conducted orientation and training for new landlords which overview of guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures
- Conducted orientation to first-time recipients which included guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures
- Supervised Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator
- Provided information training for the FSS Program Coordinator
- Reviewed policies and procedures for the FSS program Action Plan
- Held ongoing meetings with the FSS Program Coordinator to measure the family’s progress toward self-sufficiency
- Executed agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOU) for services and resources for FFS families to achieve their goals
- Monitored and maintained FSS family’s escrow accounts on a monthly basis
- Authorized FSS escrow funds to be used to complete an interim goal for recipients
- Initiated awards ceremony for FSS graduates
- Served as Contract Administrative for HUD Section 8 site-based and MOD Rehab properties
- Conduct annual site monitoring reviews
- Conduct site inspections for HUD Section 8 site-based and MOD Rehab properties
- Assisted in the administration of the fiscal reporting requirements to HUD
- Appeared in court on behalf of the Authority
- Assigned Section 8 units to be inspected and performed quality control inspection to certify compliance with HUD (Housing Quality Standards) HQS inspections
- Conducted on-going reviews of Fair Market Rents (FMR), exceptions rents, rent reasonableness standards
- Approved and disapproved (RFLAs) Request for Lease Approval
- Administrator of 1408 Housing Choice Vouchers
- Monitored HUD approved budget $12,721,33696 (Section 8, Mod Rehab, NSA III & V)
- Responded and submitted reports to HUD Indianapolis, HUD Chicago, HUD Washington DC
- Prepared Reports – HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director
- Attend Monthly HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director meetings
Public Housing Property Manager
Gary Housing Authority
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Successfully managed 1 Elderly building/200 units and 10 scattered site row-dwelling homes
- Monitored HUD approved Assets Management Project (AMP) budget
- Manage all aspects of day-to-day operations
- Delegated tasks as appropriate, scheduled work and monitored performance
- Approved and disapproved (RFLAs) Request for Lease Approval
- Conducted performance appraisals of subordinates and took personnel actions in accordance with Authority policies
- Prepared and maintained monthly reports and records
- Conducted routine inspections: building grounds, building units and common areas
- Prepared Request for Proposals (RFP) for contractor services
- Enforced Equal Housing laws and regulations
- Accepted applicant request for informal reviews and processed them accordingly
- Executed eviction notices for non-payment of rent or undesirable residents
- Appeared in court on behalf of the Authority
- Maintained 99% occupancy monthly
- Accepted and processed resident’s complaints
- Facilitated monthly resident meetings
- Provided health and safety and fire prevention training for residents and staff
- Inspected and performed quality control inspection to certify compliance with HUD (Housing Quality Standards) HQS inspections
- Prepared Reports – HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director
- Attend Monthly HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director meetings
Drug Elimination Program Coordinator
Gary Housing Authority
01.1995 - 01.1999
- Wrote and administered current and future grant funding in the area of drug awareness, drug prevention and drug elimination
- Implement and coordinated all activities proposed under the Public Housing Drug Elimination Grant
- Monitored and tracked HUD approved budget of 3 + million (over a 5-year span)
- Created and implemented eligible job positions and salary wages under the Public Housing Drug Elimination Grants
- Handled recruitment functions to include outlining job specifications, descriptions, qualifications proposed under the Public Housing Drug Elimination Grants
- Conducted interviews for new hires proposed under the Public Housing Drug Elimination Grant
- Conducted performance appraisals of subordinates and took personnel actions in accordance with Authority policies
- Maintained and managed Administrative office
- Supervised a staff of 50
- Supervised vendors partnered under the Public Housing Drug Elimination Grant
- Implemented training courses for staff, residents and co-workers
- Networked with federal, local and state agencies to ensure a holistic approach and comprehensive plan to sustain the Drug Elimination Program
- Facilitated monthly meetings with Resident Councils, School Corporation, Community and 4-Year Colleges, County and Local Law Enforcement agencies
- Prepared Request for Proposals (RFP) for contractor services
- Developed existing and future efforts in all social service and resident related programs
- Implemented youth initiative programs
- Administered and managed resident initiative programs
- Executed agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOU) for services proposed under the Public Housing Drug Elimination Grants
- Prepared Reports – HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director
- Attend Monthly HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director meetings
- Responded and submitted reports to HUD Indianapolis, HUD Chicago, HUD Washington DC
- Enforced screening and lease procedures by implementing the 'One Strike and You’re Out Initiative'
- Created PHDEP Police policies and procedure manual
- Created and designed brochure to promote programs available under the PHDEP
- Conducted weekly meetings with the Police Department Deputy Chief for daily assignments/surveillance for suspected criminal activity
Drug Elimination Program Coordinator
Gary Housing Authority
01.1992 - 01.1995
- Assisted the program coordinator developed future grant funding in the area of drug awareness, drug prevention and drug elimination
- Supervised a staff of 25
- Assisted the program coordinator in the daily coordination, operation, and management of the Drug Elimination Program and existing programs
- Established and maintained a working relationship with GHA resident councils, staff, federal, public, and private agencies
- Implemented training courses for staff, residents and co-workers
- Facilitated monthly resident meetings addressing drug-related crimes
- Maintained Program data and statistics
- Designed and Implemented programs
- Prepared Reports- HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director
- Attend Monthly HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director meetings
Community Service Representative
Gary Housing Authority
01.1990 - 01.1992
- Formed Planning and Implementation Committees to review the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) under the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program (PHDEP) grant
- Worked in collaboration with the Program Planning Committee (PPC) to secure commitments of public and private resources for the operation of the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program
- Gathered and reviewed data relevant for the submission of the PHDEP grant
- Gather statistics to support the existence of drug-related crimes
- Create performance goals to solve the problem
- Act as a liaison with resident councils, social service agencies, city and county government agencies
- Prepared Reports- HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director
- Attend Monthly HUD, Board of Commissioners, and the Executive Director meetings
Education
Bachelor of Science - Organization Management
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Hammond06.2002
Associate of Science - Applied Psychology
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Hammond, IN06.1997
Certificate - Proposal Writing
Indiana University Northwest
Gary, INSkills
- Decision-making
- Strategic planning
- Problem-solving
- Organizational management
- Project management
- Team leadership
- Performance monitoring
- Employee training
- Conflict resolution
- Policy implementation
- Regulatory compliance
- Task delegation
- Documentation and reporting
- Contract negotiation
- Grant writing
- Client relationships
- Customer service
- MS Suite/Office 365
Accomplishments
- Serve as Acting Division Director in supervisor's absence
- Complete non-complex application in 55 days or less
- Complete urgent assignments within 8-10 business days
- Complete work assignments and applications with zero errors or returns
- Complete urgent assignment with same-day turnaround after receipt of FHEO concurrence
- Mentor in the Chicago 2023 FEB Mentoring Program
- Mentor in the Chicago 2025 FEB Mentoring Program in Region V
- Facilitated SAC Webinar Training "How to Prepare ad Submit a SAC Application."
- Facilitated Training "HUD Team-building: How SAC Provides Customer Service" at DC Headquarters
Certification
- Certificate of Training for Maintenance Management
- Certificate of Training for Section 8 Homeownership
- Certificate of Training for Multi-Family HUD housing
- Certificate of Training Section 8 Budgeting
- Certificate of Training Section 8 Housing Manager (SHM)
- Certificate of Training Section 8 Voucher Mastery
- Certificate of Training Section 8 Occupancy
- Certificate of Training Section 8 Housing Manager
- Certificate of Training Public Housing Manager (PHM)
- Certificate of Training HUD REAC Inspection Systems (PHAS/UPS)
- Certificate of Training Public Housing Drug Elimination Program Coordinator Training
Trainings
- Technical Writing
- Organizing your workplace
- Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Introduction Processing
- Determining Obsolescence
- Is Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) a verb?
- Time management workshop
- Individual Development Plan
- PIC Data Refresher
- Trauma Awareness Training
- NSPIRE Training
- Capital Fund Training for SAC
- Basic Appraisal Principles Training
- PIH Leadership Training DC
- Repositioning Non-Dwelling Property
- RAD PBV Training
- URD Learning Circle Training
- How to Optimize Virtual TEAM meetings
- Region V Hatch Act Training
- Co-facilitator Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) training
- Introduction to OneNote
- Legal Citation 101 for Non-Lawyers
- Signing Digital Signatures on Documents
- Business Writing
- RAD (Rental Assistant Demonstration)
- FHEO (Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity)
- Co-facilitator Appraisal Training
- Technical Writing
- Special Application Center (SAC)Training update
- Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
- Leadership Training
- LIHTC -Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
Timeline
Neighborhood and Community Investment Specialist
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
01.2006 - Current
Public Housing Property Manager
Gary Housing Authority
01.2004 - 01.2006
Assisted Housing/Section 8 Director
Gary Housing Authority
01.2001 - 01.2004
Public Housing Property Manager
Gary Housing Authority
01.1999 - 01.2001
Drug Elimination Program Coordinator
Gary Housing Authority
01.1995 - 01.1999
Drug Elimination Program Coordinator
Gary Housing Authority
01.1992 - 01.1995
Community Service Representative
Gary Housing Authority
01.1990 - 01.1992
Bachelor of Science - Organization Management
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Associate of Science - Applied Psychology
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Certificate - Proposal Writing
Indiana University Northwest
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