Beech Tree News Network

On Thurs., April 28th, Kentucky Housing Corporation and the U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development presented Oak Valley Apartments with the Outstanding Performance Property Award. Oak Valley has provided our community with affordable, decent housing for over 35 years. The property was constructed in 1979 by the late Shafter and Camilla Howard, of Morgantown. It is now owned and operated by the partnership of their sons, Jerry Howard, of Morgantown, and Michael and Linda Howard, of Newport News, VA. Oak Valley has a longtime mother and daughter management team who have devoted 20 years each to the company. Michelle Franzell, COS, FHC, of Morgantown, works as the HUD Program Administrator and Leasing and Management Agent. Kathleen Brooks, also of Morgantown, works as Maintenance Supervisor. Taylor Howard, of Morgantown is the groundskeeper. And last year, Tommy Willis, of Morgantown, joined the team as Maintenance Leader.

Receiving such an honor isn't new to this team. Oak Valley has also received this prestigious and coveted award in the year 2000 and in 2011 were recognized for obtaining 100% on their HUD/REAC Inspection. Michelle has worked closely with HUD and Kentucky Housing on the Housing Conference Planning Committee in past years and has also been a speaker at the conference which has 1,000 plus attendees.

Michelle had this to say about receiving the award... It is a wonderful honor to be recognized by HUD and KHC for Outstanding Performance. We work diligently at our jobs and duties every day, and it's very nice to be commended for that. But the real honor comes when we can provide a needy family with a roof over their heads. A place to call home, to get started out, to raise a family, to make memories, to grow old. That's the real honor.

Oak Valley Apartments is only part of the company, which now serves three counties (Butler, Warren, and Muhlenberg) with housing and commercial leasing opportunities. They provide both project and tenant-based rental assistance to eligible low-income families and affordable private rental properties as well. Oak Valley and Howard Rentals are located at 250 Oak Valley Drive in Morgantown.