List of Accomplishments - Yvonda A. Bean

List of Accomplishments | Yvonda A. Bean | Tenure 2019-2025

• Closed on Oaks at St. Anna's Park - Oak Terrace - New Construction - 95-unit building for seniors; $26.1 Million TDC; 100% leased up.
• Closed on Oaks at St Anna's Park - Oak Park - New Construction - 190-unit townhome community for families; $57.2 Million TDC; 100% leased up.
• Closed on Haven at Palmer Point - New Construction - 150-unit senior community; $36.9 Million TDC.
• Secured $3 Million in Community Project Funding through U.S. Congressman James (Jim) Clyburn's office to aid in redevelop of former public housing community.
• One of seven agencies in SC awarded Emergency Housing Vouchers-the 1st in state to deliver the 119 Emergency Housing Vouchers awarded to individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homeless.
• Awarded 49 New Housing Choice Vouchers. Columbia Housing provides housing rental assistance to 4,968 families through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
• Added 59 New Active Landlords to the Housing Choice Voucher Program. To date, Columbia Housing has 5,475 landlords providing housing to Housing Choice Voucher recipients. 
• Awarded $53,000 Gen Z Grant from the Department of Health and Environmental Control to establish a youth advisory group to engage young people in teen health and leadership opportunities and to educate youth on Adulthood Preparation topics in South Carolina.
• Invited and led or participated in several workshops on national platform including the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Annual Conference & Exhibition, the Moving to Work (MTW) Collaborative, YARDI, the Southeastern Regional Chapter of NAHRO, and the Public Housing Authority Directors Association.
• Received nine (9) National Awards of Merit in the categories of Administrative Innovation & Resident Services from the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials.
• Completed successful demolition of 80-year-old obsolescent public housing property, Allen Benedict Court.
• Partnered with Midlands Technical College to offer free tuition programs and scholarships and workforce training and development.
  • (19) residents received Continuing Education program scholarships valued at nearly $50,000.
  • (8) residents enrolled in degree based academic programs.
  • Approximately (120) residents were referred to MTC programs.
• Delivered more than 300+ Virtual and In-Person Workshops for residents in the categories of First-Time Homebuyers, Employment Opportunities, Career Development, Life Skills, Primary Medical Care and Health Services, Financial Management, Social Skills, and more.
• Provided $36 Million in rental assistance to private property owners, on behalf of approximately 5,000 families renting housing of choice in the public market.
• M/W/BE contracts awarded up to 45% of total construction contracts, exceeding our goal of 30% minority participation.
• Led national August Advocacy Month effort, by executing a 90-Day Advocacy Plan strategy that resulted in the most letters submitted in the history of NAHRO National organization.  "SERC completely crushed the competition and Columbia Housing Authority by far sent the most letters of any PHA. I'm in complete awe of the work that you have done to foster such a strong culture of advocacy in Columbia. You significantly increased the number of people participating in August advocacy this year. Thank you SOOOOO much!" - Tess Hembree (NAHRO)
• Developed and launched Columbia Housing's Employee Empowerment Apprenticeship Program (for Maintenance Employees), a US Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program in partnership with Midlands Technical College & Carolina Apprenticeship.
• Deployed and completed an agency Organizational Restructuring, improving operational efficiency and increasing organizational capacity.
• Closed on first (1st) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) application in August of 2024 and the second (2nd) RAD application in November of 2024.
• Submitted preliminary applications and received approval to submit the full FHA applications for Lewis Scott Court, Hammon Village, Capital Heights/Bayberry Mews, Rosewood Hills, and Celia Saxon.
• Awarded (52) Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers for youth ages 18 to 24 that have aged out of foster case.
• Secured FHA Firm Commitment for Harbor Cove Homes (Capital Heights//Bayberry Mews) and Rosewood Hills.
• Secured tax-exempt bonds, and 4% tax credits for Oak Grove at Hunt Club (96) units and Willow Brook (102) units.
• 100% Utilization of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers, creating housing stability for 414 veteran families.
• Two (2) National Awards of Excellence Nominations in the categories of Administrative Innovation & Resident Services from the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials. 1st in Columbia Housing's 90-Year History of organization.
• Converted a Moderate Rehabilitation (MOD Rehab) from 16 units to 32 units and expanded the Housing Choice Voucher program by 32 vouchers.
• Developed and facilitated Summer Youth Employment Program Enrichment Series aimed at increasing Civic Engagement from young people.
  • Engaged SC Voter Education Project.
  • Columbia Branch of the NAACP.
  • Senator Tameika Isaac Devine, and other prominent community leaders.
• Celebrated Columbia Housing's 90-Year Rich History with the Board of Commissioners, staff, residents, local elected officials, community stakeholders, and surrounding partners and friends.
• Conducted over 400 intentional and enriching resident outreach activities and/or events.
• Facilitated generous employee giving exceeding $144,000 (over a few years) period to the United Way of the Midlands, resulting in multi-year awards below:
  • Advanced Campaign Award
  • Gold Live United Award
  • Best in Class: Public Sector (100+ Employees)
• Hosted blood drive, resulting in the donation of 1000+ Units of Blood to the American Red Cross.
• Created a comprehensive strategy, Resident Safety Plan, to establish residents as first responders, reduce their vulnerability through awareness tools, provided educational opportunities for residents to engage with law enforcement, and engaged partnerships that teach awareness and address resident safety concerns and more. Some initiatives include:
  • National Night Out
  • Resident Task Force Meetings
  • Neighborhood Association and Strategic Partnerships
  • Fire Safety and Prevention Program
  • Training on CH Policy pertaining to Constitutional Carry Law
• Awarded $15,000 grant for Summer Youth Employment Program from Truist Bank.
• Awarded $20,000 grant for Reading While Feeding Initiative from Truist Community Development.
• Launched THIS is Columbia Housing newsletter featuring resident success stories, development updates, resident programming, educational and employment opportunities, and Board engagement features.
• Developed & deployed "Bean Blasts" direct communications to residents from the CEO regarding specific issues or emergent situations.
• Developed and facilitated the first State of Affordable Housing Address for local elected officials and candidates running for office.
• Devised Annual Scorecard to inform community stakeholders of significant activities and accomplishments.
• Implemented quarterly security awareness training (KnowB4) for staff which reduced the agency's exposure to security risks and yielded a decrease in risk score by 10 points.
• Implemented an electronic rent payment system that allows tenants to pay their rent online, the digitalization of rent payments, faster payment processing, and the creation of a tenant's payment history.
• Developed and implemented internal controls "checks and balances" for procuring goods and services.
• Implemented performance evaluation process to ensure employee receives feedback for continuous improvement.
• Established a new employee follow-up program, "Just Checking in... How is it going?"  to check in with new employees after a few months with CH.
• Established a policy and procedure for "Alternative Work Schedules - which allows interested employees to request a compressed schedule (Monday thru Thursday and off every Friday) or an alternative schedule (a work schedule outside of the standard hours of 8-5.
• Procure regular salary analysis by external entity to ensure that CH is fair, equitable, and competitive with other companies.
• Improved the recruiting process by implementing a fully electronic system for posting jobs, applying for positions, and notifying applicants of their status.
• Created a Personnel Action Request (PAR) process that captures all personnel actions, including new hires, promotions, demotions, reassignments, suspensions, etc. 
• Facilitated annual employee development training, including Supervisory Best Practices, Effective Performance Management, Discrimination and Harassment, ADP Time and Leave training, Interviewing Do's, and Don'ts for our residents.
• Established a Customer Service STANDARD:
  • Devised a SOP | Providing Exceptional Customer Service
  • Devised a Customer Service Improvement Plan
  • Facilitated agency-wide Customer Service Trainings
• Offered sign-on bonus for maintenance employees and a higher salary for maintenance employees with HVAC, plumbing, or electrical certifications.
• Realized over 40 first-time homebuyers on paths to homeownership.
• Provided area-wide transportation to resident families allowing them access to employment, early voting, vaccinations, food resources, medical appointments, and much more through partnership with The COMET transportation system.
• Named Outstanding Professional of the Year by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
• Named Advocate of the Year by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
• Featured articles in nationally recognized affordable housing media spaces, the Affordable Housing News, SERCulator, NAHRO Awards of Merit Catalog, CCHRCO's Cornerstone News, and PHADA Advocate.
• Awarded over 60 Awards of Merit by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).