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Florence Housing Authority is an important and necessary public agency. The Authority currently houses or provides assistance to 2,800 people, which is approximately 8% of the city's population. In the fiscal year 1996, Florence Housing Authority contributed directly $5,616,640.83 to the local economy. The Authority is 100% federally funded, but was established under state law. The Mayor of Florence appoints the five-member Board of Commissioners. Currently, the Authority has 28 employees divided equally between maintenance and administration. Many programs are offered and supported by the Authority for residents of all ages, such as the Northwest Alabama Community Health Clinic, West Way Child Development Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Alabama, Senior Services Center at Handy Homes, Senior Food Program at Magnolia Gardens II, Summer Food Program and Public Transportation System. There has also been a concentrated effort to improve the Authority's apartments through annual modernization projects. The Authority has spent in excess of $4.6 million to upgrade its apartments and grounds over the last five years. This has included total rewiring of all apartments, new bathrooms, kitchens, interior and exterior doors, refrigerators and ranges, washer and dryer connections, and handicap accessibility. Finally, the Authority has been designated a "high-performing" housing authority by HUD for eleven consecutive years. This is the entire time the public housing management assessment program has been in operation. This program measures all areas of the Authority's operation from accounting to maintenance to resident services to vacancy rates. The Authority is fortunate to have a trained and dedicated staff and an involved and knowledgeable Board of Commissioners. Our mission statement is "Provide safe, well-maintained, decent and affordable housing and social services to low-income families, senior citizens and disabled persons in a fair, respectful, progressive and professional manner," and we strive to maintain this level of service every day.