County Housing Plan Wins National Honor

A program run by the county’s Housing and Redevelopment Department has been honored by a national urban affairs association.

The Community and Housing Rehabilitation Program recruits young men and women from struggling communities and puts them to work painting and repairing homes in their neighborhoods. The homes are usually inhabited by senior citizens, disabled people and low-income residents who cannot afford to complete the repairs on their own.

“This gives youths training and brings them together with senior citizens and others in the community,” said Dhongchai “Bob” Pusavat, director of the Housing and Redevelopment Department.

“Seniors sometimes fear kids in their neighborhood,” he said. The program erases “the sharp edges . . . and helps the neighborhoods.”

Officials of the National Assn. of Housing and Redevelopment praised the county’s efforts and presented it the National Agency Award of Excellence.

The program serves several communities, including El Modena, Orange, Colonia Independencia, Placentia and Stanton.

In addition to cleaning up the neighborhoods, the program is keeping youths out of gangs and teaching them the importance of reliability, Pusavat said.

Some graduates of the program have gone on to jobs as construction workers, roofing installers and letter carriers.

“This gives them a start,” Pusavat said.