We had a great turnout for our “Wonderful Wednesday” event at the Porter House on April 30. Thanks to Campus Kitchens for providing meals, and to Auburn University’s Braveheart Program for sending care bags for our residents. Special thanks to Erika Martin from the Lee County Literacy Coalition for sharing resources on financial literacy and digital skills. Our seniors are excited about the possibility of a future computer or tablet class to help them get more comfortable online.

Auburn Housing Authority recently hosted a Poster Party where three of our amazing youth created colorful and creative entries for the HAI Group’s 2025 Playground Safety Poster and Essay Contest. This year’s theme, “Safety in the Kingdom: Protecting Our Playground Castles,” inspired our young residents to think about ways to stay safe while having fun. The kids enjoyed learning about common playground dangers and how they can be playground protectors. Their finished posters proudly highlight the importance of safety and show off their creativity just in time for National Playground Safety Week (April 21-25).

The Auburn Housing Authority had a fun Bunny Hunt for the kids! Children ran around looking for eggs and little bunnies. Everyone had a great time playing, winning prizes, and enjoying treats.

Our Mentoring Moms event at the Sparkman House on April 2 was a meaningful afternoon of connection and learning. Four moms joined us for lunch, courtesy of Campus Kitchens, followed by a powerful budgeting session led by Dr. Nathaniel Dunlap from the PRF Institute. Dr. Dunlap shared practical tips on saving—both short-term and long-term—even with limited income. The moms shared great ideas and left feeling inspired to take the next step in their financial journey. He’s even offered to help them build personalized budgeting plans! We’re excited to keep the momentum going at our next Mentoring Moms meeting.

The Community Talk events at Porter House and Sparkman Community Centers provided a valuable space for residents to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Held on March 18, 2025, the discussions took place from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Porter House and 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Sparkman, with a total of 16 residents in attendance across both sessions. Refreshments were provided for all participants. A special thank you to Ms. Mae Mae Daniels with Youth for Christ, who joined us to speak with parents about challenges faced by youth aged 11 to 18. Her insights were greatly appreciated. The event served as an open forum, allowing residents of all ages to voice their concerns and contribute ideas for their community. Several valuable suggestions were shared, and we look forward to incorporating them into future Resident Services programming. Given the positive engagement, we plan to continue hosting Community Talk at least three times a year, ensuring residents have a meaningful role in shaping their neighborhood. We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to planning more opportunities for open dialogue and collaboration at AHA.

On January 20, 2025, AHA staff and Commissioners attended the MLK Scholarship Breakfast at the Auburn University Hotel. With the theme, A Plan for Unity, highlights included a performance by the True Deliverance Holiness Church choir and an inspiring keynote by Dr. Constance Hendricks, a trailblazer in nursing and racial justice. The event celebrated unity and progress, leaving attendees inspired.

On December 11, 2024, AHA hosted a heartwarming Senior Citizen Christmas Luncheon at Country’s Bar-B-Que. Our seniors enjoyed a delicious meal, shared cherished Christmas memories, and filled the room with laughter. We were thrilled to welcome some first-time attendees who left with new friendships and a sense of community. As a special treat, each senior received a surprise gift to take home, adding an extra touch of holiday joy. The event was a wonderful celebration, and everyone is already looking forward to the next opportunity to come together!

On December 12, 2024, AHA hosted its annual Christmas Luncheon at the elegant Marriott Hotel, and it was a celebration to remember! Guests were greeted with warm smiles and dazzled by the superb holiday decorations that set the festive mood. The AHA staff enjoyed a delightful buffet and came dressed to impress in their Christmas finest. The event featured special recognitions, awards, and certificates presented by our CEO, Mrs. Sharon Tolbert, to honor the outstanding achievements of our employees and Commissioners. Laughter filled the room during the always-entertaining Dirty Santa gift exchange, expertly hosted by Sylvia Impson, whose energy and enthusiasm made it a highlight of the day. We were also delighted to welcome some of our dedicated volunteers who joined in the festivities. The celebration concluded on a joyous note with a heartwarming musical performance by the AHA singing group, led by Commissioner Martha Holloway, leaving everyone feeling the holiday spirit. It was truly a day filled with fun and fellowship.

On December 18, RHA hosted its Senior Citizen Christmas Luncheon. Residents, dressed in their finest holiday attire, Lunch was catered by Subway and included a special treat for attendees to enjoy.

On December 18, the LaFayette Housing Authority hosted its Senior Citizen Christmas Luncheon. Residents, dressed in their finest holiday attire, Lunch was catered by Subway and included a special treat for attendees to enjoy. The highlight of the afternoon was the beautiful Christmas carols performed by Ms. Martha Holloway, which brought smiles and a sense of holiday spirit to everyone. Small gifts were given to the seniors to place under their trees, and a joyous time was had by all!

This holiday season, the Auburn Housing Authority hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas Farmers Markets, where residents and the Auburn community received free fresh produce to support healthy holiday meals. These events fostered community connection and eased financial burdens, making the season brighter for many families.

On November 12, 2024, LHA hosted a Thanksgiving Farmer’s Market, serving 77 families, including over 50 LHA residents. Attendees were able to select from an assortment of fresh produce, which featured everything from onions and turnip greens to sweet potatoes—perfect for their Thanksgiving dinner tables. The event was made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of our amazing volunteers. We are truly grateful for their support in making this event such a success!

On November 14, 2024, RHA hosted a Thanksgiving Farmer’s Market, serving 36 families. Attendees were able to select from an assortment of fresh produce, which featured everything from onions and turnip greens to sweet potatoes—perfect for their Thanksgiving dinner tables. The event was made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of our amazing volunteers. We are truly grateful for their support in making this event such a success!

What an incredible day of team spirit, camaraderie, and friendly rivalry at our Employee Iron Bowl Tailgate! Our employees brought their A-game in supporting their favorite teams. A big THANK YOU to the best employees. Your teamwork and enthusiasm are what make our workplace a winning team!

At Auburn Housing Authority’s Annual Employee Meeting, we came together to thank our incredible team for all they do and to plan new strategies for serving our community. Every role here is vital, and their dedication empowers our residents and strengthens our mission. We also celebrated the retirement of our Resident Service Coordinator, Charlotte Mattox, whose contributions have left a lasting impact on our team and the residents she served. Here’s to another year of growth and impact!

On October 24, 2024, LHA hosted a lively Fall Festival and Chili Cook-Off. Children had a blast playing games, especially bobbing for apples, while laughter and fun filled the air. Attendees enjoyed grilled hot dogs, chips, candy, and other snacks. Ms. Deborah Ray took home the top prize in the Chili Cook-Off, proudly claiming the title of "Best Chili at LHA" and loving her new apron. A special thanks to our Board Members and volunteers from Zion Rest Bible Church for making the event a success!

The Auburn Housing Authority's Fall Festival, held on October 10th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 931 Booker Street, was a vibrant success! The free event drew in residents and community members, providing an engaging space for connections and resource sharing. Attendees had the opportunity to meet local Public Safety officials and Auburn police officers, fostering stronger relationships between residents and those who serve the community. In addition to informative conversations, the event featured delicious food, fun games, and exciting giveaways, bringing people together for a festive afternoon. The atmosphere was filled with camaraderie, as neighbors connected and families enjoyed the various activities. The Fall Festival not only showcased the resources available to the community but also helped build a sense of unity and partnership among Auburn residents.

The Auburn Housing Authority (AHA) has been honored with not one but TWO prestigious awards at the 84th Annual AAHRA-Alabama Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities Conference! -2024 AAHRA Collaboration Award (State) for our strong partnerships and collaborative efforts that make a positive impact in our community. -2024 AAHRA Best Practices Award (State) recognizing LHA for innovative and forward-thinking approaches to housing solutions. A huge thank you to our team, partners, and residents for helping us achieve these milestones! Let's keep pushing forward and creating brighter futures together!

National Night Out hosted by Auburn Public Safety was a wonderful opportunity for residents to come together, build stronger relationships with local law enforcement and foster a true sense of community.

The Auburn Housing Authority's Annual Management Team Meeting brings leadership and staff together to align their vision, strengthen their impact, and enhance services for residents and the community.

The Ridgecrest community buzzed with excitement during our back-to-school supply giveaway, generously sponsored by the City of Auburn Public Safety Department. Kids' smiles were the highlight as families received essential school supplies to kickstart the new academic year. A huge thank you to our sponsors for their incredible support!

The Auburn Housing Authority held a successful back-to-school supply giveaway at Sparkman, sponsored by Southern States Bank. Families received essential supplies, and the kids' smiles lit up the event. Check out the photos to see the community in action!

Our Bingo Fun Day was a resounding success, filled with laughter, excitement, and community spirit. We had such a great time! The tenants were so excited about the games. There were twenty-three tenants in attendance and 1 Board Member. A few came in a little late because they forgot that the event was today. All were glad they made it to the event. I had made extra markers, since we ran out last time. They really enjoyed the jokes from our volunteer caller, Reverend Wallace Williamson. He had everyone laughing. There was water available for the tenants. Prizes were given to the winners of each game. We had a tie game, once, and an extra game at the end of the event. No winner left without a prize. Prizes were donated by Board Chairwoman, Barbara Leverett and LHA Property Manager, Christina Williamson. .

The What Home Means to Me poster contest is an annual competition that recognizes the art of children who live in affordable housing. The contest has been held since 2008 by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) in collaboration with its local, state, and regional chapters. The contest's goal is to highlight the importance of the work done by community development professionals and housers.

Auburn University's Campus Kitchen not only provides meals for our Wonderful Wednesday and Mentoring Moms’ Programs, but they also send volunteers to assist the Resident Services Coordinator, Charlotte Mattox, with serving the residents. Golden-agers 60 years and up are welcome to join us. During this event we have a luncheon filled with fun activities, informational guest speakers and building friendships from all sites.

Bart Aldridge from Regions Bank presented helpful financial ideas to our residents on May 1st. He explained the differences between the different bank accounts and loans. He made the point to stay away from companies who have high interest rates for people who needed a fast dollar, not knowing the consequences they would have to pay later. He talked about the scams that are taking place with their companies and discussed ways to prevent becoming a victim.

LaFayette Housing Authority (LHA) recently hosted a graduation reception for our LaFayette High School seniors. The event celebrated the academic achievements of students residing in LHA-managed properties, highlighting their hard work and dedication. Families, friends, and community members gathered to honor the graduates, who were presented with certificates. We congratulate the graduates and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. May your journeys be filled with success, happiness, and endless opportunities!

The Family Resource Center hosted the monthly Envision Meeting with a presentation for the National Child Abuse Prevention Month. They brought out that the most common Child abuse is • Adverse Head Trauma • Adverse Childhood Experience • Child Neglect • Child Physical Abuse • Child Sexual Abuse The Envision Meetings are gatherings of various businesses and organizations who come together as a team to network and seek opportunities to better the community. During Child Abuse Awareness Month in April, blue pinwheels bring awareness to our community's commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Roanoke Housing Authority (RHA) recently hosted a graduation reception for our Roanoke High School seniors. The event celebrated the academic achievements of students residing in RHA-managed properties, highlighting their hard work and dedication. Families, friends, and community members gathered to honor the graduates, who were presented with certificates. We congratulate the graduates and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. May your journeys be filled with success, happiness, and endless opportunities!

Auburn Housing Resident Services took the Senior Citizens to Country’s BBQ to celebrate the holidays on December 13th. Anthony Walker from True Deliverance assisted with transportation for the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Luncheon.