Charter Oak Communities: Recent Accomplishments & Initiatives

We are proud of our many accomplishments and successes and, while there still is much to do and many economic challenges to overcome – locally and nationally – COC’s list of recent achievements is worthy of note.

General transformation and enhancements

COC staff and key public and private partners are united and driven toward common goals, which include:

Creating and sustaining a world-class housing and community-development organization
Providing excellent products and services at all levels, including property management, maintenance, admissions and resident life
Implementing resident services that enhance self sufficiency, independence and quality of life
Form and nurture strategic partnerships with Stamford Hospital, Family Centers, City of Stamford, St. Lukes Lifeworks and many others
Progress toward agency-wide self sufficiency by diversifying our portfolio, and through income optimization, cost controls and self development
Build and maintain strong relationships with public officials and agencies at the local, state and national level as advocates for public housing authority reform and strong leadership roles in the promotion of affordable housing

To help COC achieve these goals, the following enhancements have been completed:

A new executive team and renewed departmental structure has been put in place, including a new executive director, chief operating officer, controller, development director, facilities manager, HR manager and new property-management roles
New operating systems, policies and procedures have been implemented, including Asset Based Management (ABM), in compliance with HUD requirements and standard real estate practices
Completed a comprehensive evaluation and reorganization of COC’s Finance Department, creating a new Accounting Department, reconfiguring payroll, general ledger, consolidated reporting, property accounting, cash management and processing procedures for optimum performance

Property maintenance enhancements and upgrades, including multiple capital improvements, heating and cooling, roofing replacements, structural repairs and other facilities work as required
Resident security improvements include security upgrades at resident facilities, enhanced policies and protocols, and working closely with the Stamford Police Department
Mixed-income property-management advances, including a successful hybrid model for better integration, communication and issue resolution
Completed a comprehensive audit and redesign of human resource functions, initiated new training and development programs, and improved labor negotiating posture, issues and agreements

Summary of Results

HUD Rating System improvements: Achieved and consistently maintained good to excellent scores in HUD inspections and rating systems
Increase in Housing Choice Vouchers and implementation, more than doubling vouchers and increasing Project-Based Section 8 programs including corporate, regulatory and financial restructuring at multiple properties
Eliminated historic annual operating deficit through aggressive cost control and income- enhancing measures, more intense due diligence and personnel changes
Developed and strengthened strategic partnerships, including relationship with Stamford Hospital (joint land-development initiatives and economic development), Family Centers (human services, economic self sufficiency and resident services), and St. Luke’s Lifeworks (housing retention, senior housing development)
Strengthened advocacy efforts though leadership roles in Connecticut Housing Coalition, Partnership for Strong Communities, Governor Malloy’s Transition Team, and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority task groups
Acquired several new properties for housing development projects at below-market or little cost, including land swaps with the City of Stamford and private partners such as Stamford Hospital
Facilitated relocation of residents into new residential communities and apartments
As part of the West Side Revitalization, launched the new Vita Health & Wellness District in partnership with Stamford Hospital, including the opening of Fairgate Community Health Center (Optimus Health Care), incorporation of Stamford’s Obesity-Prevention initiative and the launch of Fairgate Farm, a new urban farm developed on Stillwater Avenue in the health and wellness district
Created new image and branding (from Stamford Housing Authority to Charter Oak Communities), including launch of new website
Through upgraded staff (internal) communication efforts, elevated team morale, professionalism and productivity.