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November 2013 - In This Issue:
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Stay even more up-to-date with Housing & Neighborhood Preservation news, events, project updates and photos! 
Please note that our offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. 
 
Housing & Neighborhood Preservation is Hiring
We're hiring for the following positions:

Housing Programs Coordinator
(Close Date: Nov. 27)

Duties include coordinating all activities and supervising staff of the Housing Choice Voucher Program and related Rental Housing Programs to include caseload management, Housing Counseling, Security Deposit and Optional Relocation.
 
Rental Housing Administrator
(Close Date: Dec. 21)
 
Duties include proactively overseeing all components of the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Rental Housing Programs for the City of Virginia Beach, including vouchers (approximately 1,900 annually), project-based, family self-sufficiency and portability programs. They will ensure the attainment of established goals and objectives in all of these subprograms; maintain divisional alignment with the broader values and goals of the department and the City; and create a high performance working environment.
 
The full job postings for both positions can be found at www.vbcareers4gov.com.  

The City of Virginia Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, national origin, race, disability or political affiliation. Qualified Section 3 Residents encouraged to apply: www.vbgov.com/section3. 
Supportive Services for Homeless & Low-income Veteran Households Available Beginning Dec. 1
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Veteran households who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless may be eligible to receive assistance through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. The program assists homeless and low-income veteran households in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. 

Beginning Dec. 1, eligible veterans may receive services related to rental assistance/security deposits, emergency and general housing, utility assistance, moving costs, transportation, child care and emergency supplies. Veteran eligibility is based on honorable or general discharge from military services and other criteria.

The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs in an effort to prevent and end homelessness among veteran households.

For more information, contact Joye Harrison, Veteran's Housing Program Coordinator at the Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation (VBCDC), at 463-9516.

Homelessness Awareness Week Dec. 16 - 21

Events Scheduled During the Week in Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission (HRC) and Volunteers of America (VOA), in partnership with Housing & Neighborhood Preservation and the BEACH Community Partnership, will host Homelessness Awareness Week on Dec. 16 - 21. A donation drive and National Homeless Memorial Day Vigil will be held during the week. 
 
See below or click here for event details.
Donation Drive (Dec. 16 - 21)
Virginia Beach citizens are encouraged to take part in this community outreach to assist fellow citizens suffering from homelessness. If you can assist, the following donations would be greatly appreciated: new or gently-used blankets (twin size only), jeans (men's, women's - all sizes), socks, hats, scarves and gloves. 
Volunteers of America will also accept monetary donations. 
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Items can be dropped off:
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon
825 18th St. 
(located behind the Virginia Beach Police Department Second Precinct)
National Homeless Memorial Day Vigil (Dec. 21)
The event is held on the longest night of the year to remember those who have died and to honor persons still facing the challenges of homelessness every day.
 
The event will be held at 7 p.m. at the VOA Lighthouse Center parking lot, 825 18th St. (located behind the Virginia Beach Police Department Second Precinct).

Code Enforcement Tip: What are Red Tags? 

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During this time of year, our Code Enforcement Division sees an increase in the number of red tag violations it addresses. Red Tags are issued by Virginia Natural Gas for unsafe gas appliances and the Fire Marshal's Office for unsafe gas appliances or electrical systems -- hazards that have the potential to be life-threatening. 
 
Common reasons why red tags are issued include gas leaks or carbon monoxide leaks at water heaters, furnaces, stoves or gas logs; electrical shorts at water heaters, furnaces, stoves, panel boxes and outlets; and overloaded circuits. 
 
Code Enforcement's job is to ensure that these violations are corrected to help keep residents safe. Below are tips to help protect your family and home:
  • Contact Virginia Natural Gas at 1-877-572-3342 or the Virginia Beach Fire Department at (757) 385-4228 if you smell gas 
  • Have your HVAC system checked regularly by a professional licensed contractor
  • Use carbon monoxide detectors in your home if you have gas appliances
  • Use exterior grade extension cords for outdoor lighting
  • Do not overload extension cords
  • Do not overload electrical circuits -- circuit breakers are installed according to load requirements (the number of outlets, lights, or appliances on a circuit)
  • Test and properly label all circuit breakers or fuses
For more information, contact Code Enforcement at 385-4421. 
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fair housing logoVIRGINIA BEACH HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION DOES BUSINESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING LAW AND SECTION 504 PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. THE DEPARTMENT COMPLIES WITH THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. VIRGINIA BEACH HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASES OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, DISABILITY, FAMILIAL STATUS, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY IN ADMISSION OR ACCESS TO ITS PROGRAMS.