Housing Authority Receives Award

The Tioga/Bradford County Housing Authority was recently honored by the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (PAHRA) at its annual conference in Valley Forge, PA.

“This is a tremendous honor for our Authority,” said Executive Director, Kelley Cevette. “There were a number of very impressive programs throughout the state that were nominated for this award. It’s very nice to be recognized for our efforts.”

Pennsylvania Association of Housing & Redevelopment Agencies First Vice President, Senghor Manns (Left) & President, Cheryl Johns present Tioga County Housing Authority Executive Director, Kelley Cevette, Service Coordinators Crystal Hallock & Nioicle Siedhof & Administrative Assistant, Sean Sember with the 2015 Best Practices Award in Resident Services.        

The Housing Authority’s “Housing vs. Hunger” Program received the 2015 Best Practices Award in Resident Services for the state of Pennsylvania. The program, which has steadily evolved since 2012, currently partners with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to provide tenants in its elderly, handicapped and disabled buildings monthly deliveries of free fresh produce and groceries. Deliveries are currently made to sites in Athens, Sayre, Towanda, Canton, Elkland, Westfield and Blossburg, PA feeding nearly 300 tenants per month.

The Authority also partners with the CPFB to facilitate a bi-weekly “Power Pack” Backpack Program that provides healthy snacks and beverages to nearly 100 children residing in the Authority’s family units. In addition, the Authority has worked with the Mansfield University Nutrition Department and Amerihealth to teach tenants how to cook healthier and more economical meals on a budget 

“One of our primary objectives is to educate our tenants on how to lead healthier lifestyles,” said Cevette. “It is very fortunate that we can provide food free of cost, but we want to be sure that we are teaching self-sufficiency as well.”