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Bay Vista Commons Wins national Excellence Award

Housing Authority of the City of Bremerton Wins National Excellence Award

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 – The Housing Authority of the City of Bremerton (BHA) has won a national award honoring superior assisted housing and community development programs. BHA won in the Program Innovation: Affordable Housing category for Bay Vista Commons Assisted Living Community.

The 2009 Award of Excellence comes from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), and will be officially presented on Oct. 6 at NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C. BHA is one of 18 programs nationwide to receive the 2009 award, out of an original pool of 212 merit winners and 84 Award of Excellence Nominations.

In order to expand its services to seniors and to provide a place for seniors to “age in place,” BHA began construction of Bay Vista Commons, an affordable assisted living facility for seniors, in 2006. By entering into an agreement with the Department of Social and Health Services, the BHA can accept up to 66 Medicaid-eligible residents in Bay Vista Commons; project-based vouchers are also used to guarantee affordability. Of the 66 units, 12 are reserved for the dementia care units. All of the spacious units have handicapped-accessible bathrooms and wall-to-wall carpeting; the development also has common activity spaces, resident storage, jetted therapy tubs, and a private transportation vehicle used to provide off-site activities. Case management activities include three meals per day, housekeeping, group activities, personal care, transportation to medical appointments, and a Wellness Program that monitors health, manages medications, and assists with other activities of daily living. Bay Vista Commons was designed by Rice Fergus Miller Architecture and Planning of Bremerton.

“As NAHRO celebrates its 75th anniversary we are proud to recognize the achievements of our members who are committed to finding innovative solutions and groundbreaking programs that address local needs and opportunities that enhance the lives of families, operations and community development,” said NAHRO President Renée Rooker. “They are truly leading the way for a better America.”

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), established in 1933, is a membership organization of 23,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.