A Housing Department program designed to help seniors and persons with disabilities combat feelings of isolation through computers recently won an Award of Excellence from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).

The city’s Housing Department designed a hands-on program, ‘Bringing Information/Technology to Seniors,’ to help residents learn basic to advanced computer and Internet skills. The program is one of 21 nationwide to receive the 2005 award out of an original pool of 296 applicants.

To provide accessibility, computer labs were installed in most of the city’s senior- and disabled-designated housing communities, complete with class instruction on using the Internet, employment assistance, printshop training, photo restoration, resume writing and general computer help.

“Our on-site technology program has been a great success with our senior and disabled residents who often feel isolated,” said Housing Director Manny Gonzalez. “The NAHRO award recognizes the dedication and hard work of our staff making it a success for all who have been involved.”

In the last year, 390 seniors (93 percent of the seniors who reside in the city’s housing communities) used the computer labs to send e-mails to friends and family as well as find health information and search for employment.

NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of 21,700 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States. The group’s mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life in the United States, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.