The Warsaw Housing Authority presented Judith Harris with the 2023 Good Housekeeping Award. Pictured, from left, are Warsaw City Councilwoman Cindy Dobbins, North Central Indiana Housing Program Manager Vicki Haines, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, Harris, NCIH Inspector Tom Bulger, and Heron Preserves Property Manager Kiontay Smith. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Warsaw Housing Authority awarded a Heron Preserves resident with its 2023 Good Housekeeping Award on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Judith Harris, Warsaw, was the award recipient. She received a $100 Walmart gift card, candy, and balloons.

According to the City of Warsaw’s website, WHA’s mission is “to provide quality housing opportunities to improve the lives of Warsaw residents who are in need and to provide safe, decent, affordable housing for eligible residents of the City of Warsaw.”

WHA offers several housing assistance programs, including the administration of Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance under the section of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 that “permits Housing and Urban Development to provide housing assistance to persons of low income through the Public Housing Authority in the form of monthly subsidies.”

The Good Housekeeping Award program offers coupon award packets to Section 8 families with good housekeeping skills. The award demonstrates its recipient is a good renter, with some working to earn the award annually.

WHA ensured Harris was home to be presented with her award by telling her she had a mandatory quality control inspection.

Each year, WHA Inspector Tom Bulger determines if tenants have kept their unit clean and reported any needed repairs to their landlords during the year. Families earning this status receive a Good Housekeeping Award and the landlord is notified. Each December, the WHA draws a name for a grand prize winner from both Warsaw and Goshen.

“It always warms my heart to know how well you’ve taken care of your property and setting an example for everyone else,” said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Warsaw’s runner-up for the 2023 Good Housekeeping Award is Wanda Olsen. Her landlord is Grace Village.

WHA is always in need of more landlords to participate in the HCV program.

Landlords with open housing units available for rent or are interested in renting to families with issued housing vouchers can call (574) 269-7641 ext. 1030.

Harris looks at her 2023 Good Housekeeping Award.