LIMA — The Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority Board members met Tuesday afternoon to discuss a strategic plan as they prepare for change. Executive Director Anna Schnippel is set to retire next summer and hopes to make the transition of leaving the organization with a clear plan moving forward.
According to its mission, AMHA is committed to providing affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing while promoting economic opportunities for families in the region.
The organization supports and promotes housing for individuals. It achieves this by providing various programs to the community such as the Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 program, public housing program, single room occupancy, family self-sufficiency and Section 8 Homeownership Programs, and Shelter Plus Care Vouchers.
AMHA consulted Toby Ann Weber, Nonprofit Management Consulting, to create a strategic plan.
“We wanted to take an overall look at what kind of things we want to concentrate on,” said Schnippel. “We do an annual plan for HUD but that is very specific on what they want in that plan. It does not cover a lot of other things like this. We found a couple of people who did strategic plans for Housing Authorities and got a couple of estimates. Once we determined she was best for our agency at this time, she started with us. She has completed interviews with staff, tenants, those in the community, landlords and board members.”
“She gathered the information for her presentation based on those interviews,” added Schnippel. “Now that she has presented it to the board, she will come up with a plan with our input on goals and objectives and who is responsible for that and begin to implement it by the coming year.”
Weber shared some ideas and informed the Board of upcoming projects in the City of Lima.
“I have heard a lot about a new mayor in Lima and there is an opportunity to work with someone with a fresh perspective and fresh energy,” said Weber.
“I just talked with Jed Metzger, the director of the Chamber of Commerce, and I thought it would be interesting to hear his perspective. He shared that he is on this new community improvement corporation (LCIC) and a lot of what they are focusing on is rehabbing housing. That is not exactly what you all do, but if they can create more housing, you may have more housing options,” she said.
Schnippel reported on new projects underway with the AMHA.
“We are working right now with Coleman and the City of Lima to develop family housing on the corner of Main and Kibby,” said Schnippel. “It will be new housing for families. It has been in the works for the past 6months to a year. We are still in the process of funding but we have committed to project-based vouchers.”
