News Release

Media Contact: La Jaycee Brown, (202) 720-9741
ljbrown@rdmail.rural.usda.gov
Public Contact: Dan Campbell (202) 720-6483
dan.campbell@usda.gov

USDA SALUTES PROPERTY MANAGERS WHO IMPROVE TENANTS' LIVES

WASHINGTON, June 15, 1999 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today saluted managers of three federally-subsidized rural apartment complexes for their exemplary efforts to improve living conditions for tenants.

"These outstanding individuals not only make sure that daily operations at their complexes go smoothly, they invest large amounts of their free time to provide tenants with a safe, cohesive community and an overall better quality of life," USDA Under Secretary Jill Long Thompson said during a special ceremony to honor the three award recipients. "Each of these property managers promote health and educational programs, keep their properties free from crime and organize social events. When emergencies occur, they help get services restored quickly and take other actions to ensure the well being of their tenants."

Each of the three property managers work for a private management company which oversees rural rental properties that were built with financing from USDA Rural Development. USDA also provides rent subsidies for low-income families or individuals who live in 18,000 of these complexes nationwide.

USDA Property Managers of the Year for 1999 are:

• Pam Hunt, manager of Pine Oaks Village in Harwich, Mass. Hunt was selected as manager of the year for elderly housing complexes. Among her many accomplishments, Hunt obtained a federal grant to secure the services of a social services coordinator, encourages residents to develop and direct their own programs (such as art shows, gardening, bridge, quilting, etc.), organizes holiday parties and produces a monthly newsletter for residents. She has a personal relationship with every resident, and helps care and shop for them when they are ill.
• Deborah McIver, manager of the Kings Crossing complexes in Kingstree, S.C. McIver was selected as manager of the year for family residence complexes. She works closely with the police department to keep her properties free from crime, including sponsoring the creation of a police substation at one site. She helps illiterate renters read their bills and provides transportation for elderly tenants. McIver has also been active in sponsoring health programs at Kings Crossing and edits a newsletter which focuses on the accomplishments of children living in the complex.
• Noemi E. Miranda, manager of Elizabeth Cornish Landing, a farm labor housing complex in Bridgeville, Md. The state's first apartment complex for farm laborers, the facility includes a laundry facility, recreational and play facilities and a meeting room. Miranda helps sponsor health care services, English classes, emergency food asistance, transportation and translation services. She also helps families buy homes when they are able. Not only a manager, Miranda is a friend to her tenants.

Through the Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA administers a national loan portfolio that includes 18,000 rental housing complexes, which provides homes for 455,000 households, mostly low-income wage earners or senior citizens on fixed incomes. It also helps 65,000 low- to moderate-income rural people purchase homes every year.

RHS, the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Office of Community Development comprise USDA Rural Development, the arm of USDA charged with helping to revitalize rural America.

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