Los Angeles County Development Authority Wins Award of Excellence for Resident and Client Services
(Washington D.C.-Nov. 17, 2020)- The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) is honored with an Award of Excellence for Resident and Client Services by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). The winning program, Public Housing Youth Taking Flight in Aviation, provided youth residing in public housing with hands-on experience in the aviation industry.
“This year’s award-winning agencies have given us innovative local solutions for increasing affordable housing stock and improving the lives of their residents,” NAHRO President Sunny Shaw said. “I am excited to honor them for their excellence.”
Recognizing the need to offer an after-school program during the summer for high school students most at risk for truancy, poor grades, gang participation, and domestic problems at home, LACDA partnered with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) to provide the youths with an educational, innovative and interactive experience.
To allow the students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), LACDA and OBAP hosted two Aerospace Career Education Academies. The academies, endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration, took students to visit local airports to learn the theory and fundamentals of flight, the role of government in aviation, and hear directly from professionals in the field. The youth also participated in a flight simulator acting as a pilot and took a variety of field trips to aviation facilities. Many of the participants had never been inside an airport or on a plane before in their life. At the end of the weeklong program, all students received official certificates of completion. LACDA continues to track the participants in order to see how many end up pursuing careers in aviation.
“NAHRO members have always been in the business of providing homes and improving lives – these awards commemorate shining examples of the vital work they do nationwide,” NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman said. “My sincere congratulations to this year’s winners.”
About the Awards of Excellence
The Awards of Excellence represent the very best in innovative programs in assisted housing and community development. Chosen from among Award of Merit winners each year, the Awards of Excellence winners are selected by national juries and will be honored during NAHRO’s Online National Conference on Nov. 17 and 18.
About NAHRO
NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of nearly 20,000 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.