“It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow”

Robert H. Goddard

I want to take this opportunity to briefly look back at the past year for NTHDC, and lay out our plans for next year. Our main objective is to be a resource and a partner to all of you, and I am hopeful our goals and initiatives next year will help to facilitate this.

NTHDC will continue to offer our free Owner/Agent information sessions in 2010 to provide training opportunities in locations throughout the state. We conducted four regional meetings (Miami, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Orlando) and our state-wide meeting in Tampa in 2009. These five sessions collectively attracted approximately 400 attendees. This program was a success based on the tremendous participation and positive feedback. This also allowed a larger number of owner and management representatives to receive training with minimal costs to your properties. The 2010 schedule will be finalized soon and posted on our website. Please feel free to share your suggestions and recommendations on ways we can improve the 2010 sessions.

NTHDC implemented major changes to our systems to increase efficiency and provide more resources to our partners. NTHDC introduced a revamped website providing a more robust offering of services including our discussion forum, email notification of HUD policy changes for registered users, and general guidance for the multi-family program just to name a few. We also implemented the CAVS vouchering system (a proprietary product created by our IT development team). CAVS allows the NTHDC staff to process your voucher requests faster and provide you feedback quickly. You can provide your feedback on the new website and vouchering system to your Contract Specialist or any member of the NTHDC team.

NTHDC will strive to continue to be a resource for you in the upcoming year. I encourage you to let me know what we are doing well, and what we can do better. I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season with hopes for a great new year.

Best Wishes,

Shawn D. Steen
State Manager