January 8, 2007; San Antonio — The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA), headquartered in Alexandria, Va., announced that Wedge Management, a subsidiary of Housing and Community Services, recently received national recognition as a Community of Quality® for outstanding management of the Oak Manor Apartments, 2330 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas.
Through the Communities of Quality® (COQ) national recognition program, affordable multifamily rental properties are certified as having achieved a high standard of excellence in the way they are maintained and managed, the services they provide residents, and staff experience and training in addition to other criteria. A total of 13 multifamily properties managed by Wedge have earned COQ recognition. About 350 properties nationally have earned this recognition.
To be recognized as a National Community of Quality® (COQ), a property is evaluated scored on the following six criteria: Physical Inspections; Employee Credentials; Financial Management; Programs and Services; Endorsements; and Photographs and Reports.
NAHMA acknowledged that Wedge Management, as manager of nationally recognized COQ’s, provides high quality affordable housing to lower-income residents while adding value to the surrounding community. Oak Manor scored high on inspection of its physical plant by an objective reviewer and on the quality of management reviews, audits, replacement reserves and other criteria. Its staff members were judged on their credentials, such as those earned through NAHMA (e.g., a Certified Professional of Occupancy, a National Affordable Housing Professional or a Housing Credit Certified Professional) or by credentials awarded by other industry associations and organizations.
Wedge Management was recognized for the resident services and programs at Oak Manor Apartments, including the after school program for youth, Girls and Boys Scouts activities, Case Management / Referral Services, Health Fairs / Screenings Program, Recreational Activities, Computer Lab, Cellular on Patrol (COP), English as a Second Language (ESLOP), Parenting / Nurturing classes, Neighborhood Networks Center status, Angel Food Ministries Program, and the annual National Night Out observance.
Among the endorsements received by Wedge Management were those from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Bobby Hogelund, of the United States Marshals Service, Oak Manor Resident, Patricia Wisher, and Oak Manor Board Member, Albert Mendez.
“There are thousands of providers of affordable multifamily housing in the nation,” said NAHMA’s president, Jim McGrath, NAHP-e, HCCP. “Wedge Management is among the select few that have achieved the very highest standard of excellence in property management and in the provision of services to lower-income families. These services enable residents to attain high levels of self-sufficiency and success in their lives and for their families. The work done by Wedge Management is a credit to its entire community.”
“We are proud that the Oak Manor Apartments has been awarded the NAHMA COQ designation,” said Wedge Management President, Steve Henderson. “The designation underscores the hard work and dedication that the organization staff and volunteer Board members put in to achieve the mission of the organization through offering affordable housing, community support, and education for the residents. The successes at these properties are a reflection of our organization’s commitment to value, professionalism, integrity, accountability and excellence in leadership.”
NAHMA is the leading voice for affordable housing, advocating on behalf of multifamily property managers and owners whose mission is to provide quality affordable housing. NAHMA holds a unique position in the industry as the advocate for professional multifamily management standards. It supports legislative and regulatory policy that promotes the development and preservation of decent and safe affordable housing, is a vital resource for technical education and information, fosters strategic relations between government and industry and recognizes those who exemplify the best in affordable housing. Founded in 1990, NAHMA’s membership today includes the industry’s most distinguished multifamily management companies and owners.
For more information about the National COQ Recognition program and NAHMA, the leading voice for affordable housing managers and owners, visit www.nahma.org.
For more information on Wedge Management, see its web site at www.hcscorp.org.