In April 2013, the State, Regional and Nationally Recognized Learning Zone Program applied to receive the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program via sponsorship of the Lowell Public Schools Food & Nutrition Department. As a result of such, we were successfully approved to receive both dinner and snack provisions for the students five days per week. The mission of the meal program is to provide nutritious food to children served in after-school programs in low-income areas so that they have the needed to concentrate on homework as well as join their friends in physical, educational and social activities. Each meal is comprised of five components: milk, vegetable, fruit, meat and a grain and are made fresh and delivered daily.

The Lowell Housing Authority (LHA) is pleased to announce the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has declared the LHA as a High Performer Public Housing Agency. HUD has notified the Lowell Housing Authority (LHA) it has been issued a Public Housing Assessment Score (PHAS) score of 93 points for the most recent fiscal year ending 9/30/12. The PHAS system is used by HUD to annually evaluate and measure the performance of the LHA on the major programs it administers. The public housing program is evaluated on the basis of four (4) areas including: physical, financial, management, and capital funds.
 

Dr. Gary Wallace, Executive Director, states “the scores are difficult to achieve given the age of our developments and the declining financial resources.” Wallace credits the team approach to the accomplishment, noting that the team consists of everyone from the residents, maintenance, management and finance staff, to our Board of Commissioners. “There is a lot of strategic thinking and planning that goes into running the LHA and it is through this process with our staff and Board that we can achieve this kind of success,” states Wallace.
 

The recognition as “High-Performer” by HUD will continue to give the LHA flexibility and creativity in administering the agency as well as more grant opportunities and financial rewards for modernization funds. Wallace states, “I am proud of our agency and this designation by HUD is testimony to our good work.” This is a significant achievement for the Authority and the staff who have worked so hard to attain this score.