The Housing Authority of the City of High Point has been helping low-income residents in North Carolina find safe, affordable homes since it was founded on January 4, 1940. Set up as a North Carolina quasi-governmental agency, its primary programs follow guidelines from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It owns and/or manages 900 Public Housing units, 1,872 Section 8 vouchers, and 101 Section 8 new construction units. A seven-member board of commissioners directs its operations, following the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 to ensure decent and safe affordable housing. The goal is to give participants a solid foundation to build better lives.
“As a Public Housing Agency, the HPHA seeks to focus on creating a brand that embodies our core values, including integrity, innovation, inclusion, sustainability, and community,” says Angela Jimenez, CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of High Point. “The HPHA’s strategy goes beyond representation to develop genuine connections with a diverse population to promote dignity, empowerment, opportunity, and, most of all, to build trust with the program participants and community at large.”
Angela Jimenez knows what it’s like to live in High Point’s public housing, as she grew up in public housing. She faced judgment but kept pushing forward. After receiving her high school diploma in Gainesville, Florida,, she received certifications from Brookstone College, served in the U.S. Army and earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from High Point University. She started working at the High Point Housing Authority in 2003, climbed to chief operating officer, and served as Executive Director of the Rockingham Housing Authority in 2009 before returning to the authority, as CEO in 2010.
Jimenez has a long list of credentials, in HUD programs, real estate, property management, and housing counseling. She’s served on various boards which include, but are not limited to, City of High Point Human Relations Commission, which she chaired, and others tied to the YWCA, Red Cross, and United Way. Right now, she serves on the city’s planning and zoning commission and regional housing groups. Her awards, like the 2009 Business Woman Extraordinaire and 2010 Triad Movers and Shakers, show her impact. Her story proves hard work can open doors, and she brings that drive to her leadership.
The Housing Authority of the City of High Point Helps Residents Build Better Lives
The Housing Authority of the City of High Point runs programs to help people stand on their own. Its family self-sufficiency program offers advice on finding jobs, going to school, managing money and buying a home. For older people and those with disabilities, congregate housing services provide things like activities and support to keep them independent. These programs are built to fit what different people need, whether they’re raising kids or living alone. The focus is on giving everyone a shot at a stronger future.
Kids and teens get special attention through youth programs. These include tutoring, summer camps, sports and lessons on handling money. A program called Project SOAR helps teens aged 15 to 20 figure out college, from filling out financial aid forms to applying and getting ready for school. By giving them tools early, the authority helps kids dream big and avoid tough times in the future.
“The HPHA promotes success stories to build program participants’ empowerment and the HPHA’s reputation locally and nationally through infomercials and social media highlights that reflect lived experiences and moments of programs, services, and participants’ profound recognition and achievements,” says Jimenez. These stories show real results, inspire others and build a sense of belonging. It’s a way to prove the authority’s work makes a difference. People see their neighbors succeeding and feel motivated to try, too.
New Ways to Provide Housing
The Housing Authority of the City of High Point manages 900 public housing units and 101 Section 8 new construction units for families, seniors and people with disabilities. These homes come in all shapes, from single-family houses to apartment buildings, with one- to five-bedroom options in different styles. Rules make sure the right-sized family lives in each home, preserving them from excessive wear and tear or under-utilization. This variety means there’s something for all kinds of residents.
The Section 8 homeownership program helps people go from renting to owning their own place. For many, owning a home feels out of reach, but this program makes it real by teaching the steps and giving support. It’s a chance for families to build wealth and feel secure.
“The HPHA balances the legacy of Public Housing by acknowledging the historical contributions while embracing contemporary challenges and solutions,” Jimenez says. The authority builds mixed-income neighborhoods, where low-income residents live alongside others, which helps cut down on stereotypes and builds stronger communities. These projects, often run through its subsidiaries, create welcoming places for everyone. It’s a fresh take on what public housing can be, making it a choice people feel good about.
The authority also uses money from capital fund programs to fix up buildings and HOPE VI grants to replace old, run-down units with new ones. An affordable housing program adds more homes to keep up with needs. These efforts show the authority isn’t stuck in the past, rather, it’s finding smart ways to make housing better for High Point’s residents.
The Housing Authority of the City of High Point Builds Trust Through Community Ties
The Housing Authority of the City of High Point works with city leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and schools to make a bigger impact. These partnerships bring in resources like job training or school programs that help residents.
The authority listens to residents and promotes storytelling, testimonials and the likes. This lets people speak up about what they need, so programs actually fit their lives. Being open like this builds trust with residents and city officials. It proves the authority isn’t just making decisions behind closed doors but is a part of the community. This openness helps change old ideas about housing authorities being out of touch.
“Initiatives like Legacy Ridge promote dignity and design quality while maintaining affordability and creating a supportive environment for families,” Jimenez says.
Legacy Ridge is a housing effort that builds nice, affordable places to live, and Seeds to Success provides opportunities for scholarships for higher education, economic advancement, and community investment that will help families achieve stability and independence. By investing in residents, these projects make High Point a better place to call home.
The authority uses social media and videos to tell stories of people moving up, like buying homes or getting better jobs. These posts reach people in High Point and beyond, showing housing authorities as places where new chapters start. By staying active in the community and sharing real stories, the authority builds stronger ties and a reputation as a partner people can count on.
Planning a Bright Future
The Housing Authority of the City of High Point wants to be a leader for affordable housing across the country. It’s planning big campaigns to push for changes in housing policies, getting residents and others to speak up for better access and affordability. These efforts will make High Point a model for other cities. By involving the community, the authority makes sure its plans have strong backing. This kind of leadership can change how housing works everywhere.
“The HPHA will incorporate a myriad of campaigns to position as a national model in affordable housing and community revitalization that will include, but not be limited to, advocacy campaigns to drive social change and to mobilize the participants and communities,” says Jimenez. These campaigns will share stories of residents succeeding, like going to college or owning homes, to inspire others nationwide. Using social media this way spreads the word far and wide, showing what’s possible.
The authority plans to keep building mixed-income neighborhoods to bring people from different backgrounds together. These projects, backed by its subsidiaries, create places where everyone feels included and this vision keeps the focus on empowering residents while planning for a sustainable future.
Instead of just counting numbers, the authority will look at how connected and proud people feel. It’ll track things like community spirit and how much residents engage. Staying honest during tough times, like housing shortages, will show the authority’s strength. By aiming high, the Housing Authority of the City of High Point hopes to inspire other cities to rethink housing and build stronger communities.
