For Immediate Release

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Libby Bortz Honored with NAHRO Award

Libby Bortz was honored at the 2011 Colorado annual conference of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) in Breckenridge, Colorado on May 19, 2011.

Libby Bortz has been a driving force with Littleton Housing Authority (LHA) since before the agency was established. Back in the late 1960's, Libby and a group of citizens in Littleton began to investigate affordable housing. As a result of their efforts, Littleton Housing Authority was created in 1971 and Libby served as a commissioner on that Board. She has served as chairperson and provided valuable insight, good judgment and direction to the Authority for 40 years.

LHA's first public housing units were built in 1975. Planning meetings lasted into the early morning hours almost every week. Libby was very active in the construction process. Shortly before construction on the units began, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) declared a moratorium on funding and funds for the public housing units were withdrawn. Libby and the Board fought hard and the funding was restored, resulting in 71 single-family homes and duplexes throughout the city and a 72-unit high rise building known as Bradley House. LHA received was the first metro housing authority in Colorado to receive funds for public housing single family homes.

Over the years, LHA has grown to almost 900 units. In addition, the Authority administers over 260 vouchers for Arapahoe County and the Division of Housing. The Housing Rehab program, previously a department of the City of Littleton, is now under the Littleton Housing Authority.

In 1993, LHA embarked on a new venture called assisted living. It was one of the first assisted living centers developed by a public housing authority in the United States and utilized a new program called Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Named for the Littleton Housing Authority's longest serving commissioner, the Libby Bortz Assisted Living Center opened in 1994 and has been extremely successful serving the frail elderly who are at or below 60% of area median income.

Libby Bortz continues to be active in the Littleton community and has logged thousands of volunteer hours with the Littleton Housing Authority and other community and area Boards. Her dedication to the low-income clients, quality housing that is more than safe, decent and affordable, and her integrity throughout the years have been deeply appreciated by the staff, fellow commissioners and the Littleton community.