Abilene Housing Authority

MAJOR EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE ABILENE HOUSING AUTHORITY

• 1971   Housing Administration Department established Robert Deegan, Chairman of newly formed Board Of Commissioners.
• 1973   Earl Williams is appointed to the Board of Commissioners.
• 1975   First women members of the Board of Commissioners appointed; Board initiated first Housing Assistance Program with 5-year contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-86 families assisted.
• 1976   AHA is chartered by the Texas Housing Authority.
• 1977   Board initiates the first Home Rehabilitation Program.
• 1978   Board identifies site for first Public Housing Development on Pioneer Drive. Pioneer Drive single-family residents file suit against City officials, Housing Authority, and HUD.
• 1979   Temporary restraining order obtained to cease further development at the Pioneer site.
  Federal Court rules in favor of defendants and Pioneer Development slated to begin. Construction begins on 75 units.
• 1980   Abilene's first families move into Pioneer Development.
• 1982   Board identifies two more sites for Public Housing Developments; Rebecca Lane and Vogel Site.
• 1983   Rebecca Lane and Vogel sites break ground.
• 1984   Rebecca Lane and Vogel Developments complete and residents move in.
• 1985   Board approves Federal Rental Housing Assistance Vouchers. Chairman Deegan retires after 14 years of service. Commissioner Earl W. Williams is elected as Chairman.
• 1987   Board approves a Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
• 1988   Board re-dedicates the Rebecca Lane Development to be renamed after Robert Deegan.
• 1990   Board implements a Drug Free Housing Policy.
• 1991   Board approves a Home Investment Partnership Program - HOME Program.
• 1992   Residents move into the fourth Public Housing Development, Riviera Apartments.
• 1995   AHA acquires Parkridge Place Apartments as their first Affordable Housing/Market Rate Development.
• 2003   Mr. Earl W. Williams retires as Chairman of the Board. Commissioner V.E. Brailsford is elected as Chairman.
• 2004   The Pioneer site is renamed Earl W. Williams Village Apartments in honor of retiring Chairman, Mr. Earl W. Williams.
• 2007   Chairman Brailsford retires and Dr. Tanya Smith Brice is elected as Chair.
• 2008   Chairman Brailsford's vision of an independent agency is realized.  October 1, 2008, the Abilene Housing Authority ends the contractual agreement with the City of Abilene and is now operating as an independent agency.