HHA Newsletter - October 2022 - Volume 6
Message from the Executive Director
We are celebrating another milestone for our Housing Authority with the groundbreaking of Hoffman Garden Redevelopment Phase I. This new construction project will be by far the biggest HHA has undertaken, bringing about 285 additional affordable housing and workforce housing to the Hialeah community. It is with great honor to recognize the hard work of our elected officials who made this project possible by securing 3.9 mil for Phase I and 500K for Phase II. We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated elected officials who share the same vision for our community. We are thankful for State Representative Bryan Avila, Alex Rizo, and Tom Fabricio who fought hard in both the House and the Senate floor to secure funding for the Housing Authority.
"Together we will continue to make Hialeah thrive".
Thank you for your support and for reading this quarter's newsletter.
Julio Ponce
Executive Director
Hoffman Gardens Redevelopment Groundbreaking
On October 5, 2022, the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Hoffman Gardens Redevelopment took place. The Hialeah Housing Authority Executive Director Julio Ponce, in collaboration with City of Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo Jr. came together to celebrate this new milestone for the Housing Authority and the City. As always, our elected officials attended to support the community, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Senator Rene Garcia, State Representative Alex Rizo; State Representative Tom Fabricio; and Director of Miami-Dade Public Housing Michael Liu, Council President Carl Zogby, Councilman Jesus Tundidor, and Councilwoman Vivian Casals-Muñoz. Hialeah Housing Authority Commissioners Barbara Hernandez, Fara Alvarez and Juan Junco.
This new project that the Hialeah Housing Authority together with the City of Hialeah is undertaking to add about 285 new affordable housing to the community. This project will be completed in Phases. Phase I will be starting around March 2023 adding 86 total units to the community. This Phase will build 2 new building properties of 43 units each, one LOT is located in the west corner of 77 street and 10 avenue and the other one is LOT D in the west corner of 75 street and 10 avenue. This new construction project will be by far the biggest HHA has undertaken, A total of 580 affordable housing and workforce housing with a commercial component will complete this community. It is with great honor to recognize the hard work of our elected officials who made Phase I and Phase II possible by securing State Appropriation funds, Federal home funding and County affordable housing dollars.
Councilwoman Vivian Casals-Muñoz
City of Hialeah Councilwoman Vivian Casals-Muñoz is very involved in the Hialeah community. She has spent the past twenty years hosting Senior Safety Seminars alongside the City of Hialeah Fire, Police, and many other Hialeah-based non-profit organizations including the Hialeah Housing Authority. These seminars teach basic home safety and fire prevention tips and allow seniors to voice their opinions and concerns. In addition, as fraud is becoming more eminent among the elderly nationwide, early this year, the councilwoman together with leaders in the community concluded that it was necessary to put together a fraud prevention task force and conduct educational seminars to protect and educate the elderly community population.
HHA in the Community
Leaders Heading Fire and Fraud Prevention Program
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Julio Ponce .................................................................................................Executive Director - HHA Esteban Bovo Jr. ............................................................................................Mayor - City of Hialeah Vivian Casals-Muñoz ...................................................................................................Councilwoman George Fuente...................................................................................Chief of Police - Hialeah Police Yoshua Garfinkel .........................................................................................Sergeant - Hialeah Police Fernando Villa .......................................................................................Commander - Hialeah Police Paul M. Garcia ...........................................................................................Captain - Fire Department William Guerra ...............................................................................................Chief - Fire Department |
August 11, 2022, Grandparents Elderly Party
On this date, Mayor Esteban Bovo and HHA Executive Julio Ponce together celebrated all our special grandparents. Many elected officials and political candidates came to support and celebrate as well. Special thanks for joining us to State Representative Tom Fabricio, State Representative Alex Rizo, HHA Commissioners Juan Junco & Fara Alvarez. Councilwoman Vivian Casals-Muñoz, Councilman Jesus Tundidor, and Councilwoman Jacqueline Garcia-Roves. Robert Alonso, newly elected for School Board District 4 also joined the celebration.
September 15,2022 - Elderly Party
On this date, our Senator Elect Bryan Avila, together with our State Representatives and Local Government members formally presented a check to the City of Hialeah for 6.4 MIL to the City's elder meal program and housing. As pictured and in no specific order: HHA Executive Director Julio Ponce; City of Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo Jr.; Senator Bryan Avila; State Representative Alex Rizo; State Representative Tom Fabricio; Council President Carl Zogby; Council Vice President Monica Perez; Councilwoman Jacqueline Garcia-Roves; Councilwoman Vivian Casals-Muñoz; and City of Hialeah Chief of Police, George Fuente.
HHA Elderly Services
The recreational and activities program offers trips to different sites all over South Florida. It also offers pick up and drop off for grocery shopping. The activities are by reservation only. If you are interested in the program, please contact the recreation and activities department by calling 305.257.3502 or 305.888.9744 Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Your Local Government at Work
- Julio Ponce . . . . . . . . .. Executive Director
- Barbara Hernandez . . . . . . . . .. Chairperson
- Mario Diaz . . . . . . . . . . . .. Vice Chairperson
- Maida Gutierrez . . . . . . . . .. Commissioner
- Fara Alvarez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commissioner
- Juan Junco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commissioner
2022 important dates
- Oct. 31, 2022, Halloween
- Nov. 6, 2022, Daylight Savings Ends
- Nov. 8, 2022, Election Day
- Nov. 11, 2022, Veterans Day - HHA Offices Closed
- Nov. 24, 2022, Thanksgiving Day - HHA Offices Closed
- Nov. 25, 2022, Day After Thanksgiving - HHA Offices Closed
- Dec. 18, 2022, Hanukkah begins at sundown.
- Dec. 24, 2022, Christmas Eve - HHA Offices Closed
- Dec. 25, 2022, Christmas Day - HHA Offices Closed
- Dec. 26, 2022, Kwanzaa begins.
- Dec. 31, 2022, New Year's Eve - HHA Offices Closed
September 8, 2022 - Hot Lunch Volunteers Lunch
On this date, the HHA and the City of Hialeah gathered at "La Bodeguita" restaurant to recognize the participation and devotion of our hot lunch volunteers. These volunteers devote their time to serve and help in the lunchrooms daily, they deserve to be praised and congratulated for their actions.
Thank you for all you do!
