Keith E. Billings Access Award

Access Benton County has served more than thirty years to educate and advocate for excellence in handicapped access for persons with disabilities. One of ABC's annual activities is to recognize an individual or organization that has contributed significantly to these ideals we so very much admire.

ABC is honored to remember each year the contributions to excellence that Mr. Keith E. Billings demonstrated in his professional work. We are also humbled each year to learn of the sacrifices and rewards that recipients of Keith's Award have experienced in order to improve the lives of persons with special needs in our communities.

The Federal and State laws pertaining to the civil rights of persons with disabilities do not always insure that their access is equal, fair, reasonable, or safe. ABC chooses to improve access and to remove unnecessary barriers as its resources allow.

ABC's hope is that, through Keith's Award, public and private organizations will be inspired to find their own expression of excellence to persons with disabilities.

ABC Award Announcement

Keith E. Billings Award for 2010

Access Benton County is honored to present  the annual award to the Housing Division, Community Development Department, for the City of Corvallis.

This award is dedicated to the late Mr. Billings who was an architect and Facilities Manager for the City of Corvallis. He was an active advocate for persons with disabilities in our community.

This is ABC's ninth annual presentation of Keith's Award. ABC members believe that recognition of Keith's excellence will encourage and inform our citizenry about the  continuing importance in the private and public sectors to serve all citizens with dignity and safety.

ABC wishes to highlight the following significant areas of the Housing Division that we admire greatly:

The Housing Division focuses on the needs of low-income residents, and on "facilitating the creation and maintenance of affordable and habitable housing opportunities..."

Housing has partnered with many local, non-governmental agencies to serve persons who are homeless.

Housing provides information and referral services to persons who have questions  about how to improve their living situation.

Much of the Division's funding comes directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through its entitlement cities programs.

Housing assistance programs have existed here since the 1970's, and several programs involve using funds that are repaid by individuals and projects that can be  reinvested in Corvallis residences again!

A staff of five employees operates the programs, serving scores of new clients each year.

Housing provides technical and financial assistance to agencies that serve the housing and social services needs of lower-income residents and residents with special needs.

Housing staff educate the community about issues of fair housing law and habitability that affect rental housing, and assist, through investigation and referral, in the resolution of disputes.

Housing helps rental property owners build and rehabilitate structures that house lower-income residents and residents with special needs.

An important area of focus for the Division's housing rehabilitation programs is to improve the accessibility of homes which enables residents to live longer and more comfortably in their homes.

Some ABC members have directly benefited from these wonderful services!

Please consider nominating someone you know for this award! ABC will consider all nominations. Please e-mail or write ABC to let us know about someone who deserves special recognition for their contributions to accessibility. Deadline for nominations is October 31, 2011. Click here to contact us.