LEBANON, Va. – To help low-income residents increase their income and gain self-sufficiency, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Joseph J. DeFelice joined U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Nelson A. “Tony” Dodi, Mayor of Lebanon in announcing a new designated HUD EnVision Center demonstration with the Cumberland Plateau Regional Housing Authority (CPRHA), joining 60 communities across the country taking this vital step to offer support services for the benefit of its residents.
HUD’s EnVision Center demonstration offers assisted families support to help them achieve self-sufficiency and, thereby, making limited federal resources available to others awaiting assistance. It is premised on the fact that financial support alone is insufficient to solve poverty. Intentional and collective efforts across various organizations are needed to realize a more holistic path to foster lasting self-sufficiency.
“We will not measure success by the number of people who enter this new EnVision Center,” stated DeFelice. “Success will be measured by the number of individuals who achieve greater self-sufficiency—who no longer require assistance from our programs—who gain the financial independence to be able to rent, or even buy their own homes.”
The announcement was made at the Cumberland Plateau Regional Housing Authority, 35 Fox Meadow Drive in Lebanon. The agency serves residents in Dickenson, Russell, Tazewell and Buchanan counties. Located on or near public housing developments, EnVision Centers provide communities with a centralized hub to access support in the following four pillars: Economic Empowerment, Educational Advancement, Health and Wellness, and Character and Leadership. On hand for the announcement were leaders from partnering organizations, Southwest Virginia Community College and Southwest Virginia Workforce.
“The new EnVision Center in Lebanon will be a great support for people who need assistance on the path to self-sufficiency,” said Congressman Griffith. “It brings together in one place the economic, educational, health, and community engagement resources that help those who now rely on government aid move beyond it. I appreciate the commitment of the Trump Administration and HUD to the people of our region who may need a bit of assistance in achieving independence.”
“We are ecstatic to receive the Department of Housing and Urban Development designation of HUD EnVision Center. This designation provides us with additional opportunity to foster our partnerships with Federal, State, and Local agencies in fulfillment of our mission statement—commitment to excellence in providing quality housing and an environment that will ensure all residents opportunity, access to resources, and the expectation that our communities will be a safe, secure place to live and realize their potential,” added Keith Viers, Executive Director of the Cumberland Plateau Regional Housing Authority.
“On behalf of myself and the Lebanon Town Council, we would like to congratulate Keith Viers and the Cumberland Plateau Regional Housing Authority for being selected for an EnVision Center that will greatly benefit our HUD residents in achieving self-sufficiency,” added Mayor Dodi.
To learn more about HUD Secretary Carson’s EnVision Center demonstration, please visit HUD.gov/EnVision Centers.
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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. The Department’s Mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. The regional office is in Philadelphia. Follow HUD Mid-Atlantic and Regional Administrator Joe DeFelice on Twitter and Facebook. Watch regional video messages and #MidAtlanticMeetup, a virtual meeting series, on YouTube, and read the Region III Recap for the latest news and activities.
More information about HUD and its programs is available online at www.hud.gov and www.espanol.hud.gov. For information about Opportunity Zones visit www.OpportunityZones.gov.
You can also connect with HUD on social media and follow Secretary Carson on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s Email List. Visit www.HUD.gov/coronavirus for resources related to COVID-19.
Photo caption (left to right): Melody Johnson, CPRHA; Lonzo Lester, Russell County Administrator; Tony Dodi, Mayor, Lebanon; Rebecca Dye, Chairperson, Russell County; Joe DeFelice, Region III Regional Administrator, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development; Congressman Morgan Griffith, 9th District; LaVonda Wood, CPRHA; Keith L. Viers, CPRHA and Pam Whited, CPRHA; pause for a ceremonial photograph following the announcement of a new HUD EnVision Center opening in Lebanon, Va.