Shaler S. Roberts, III has served as Executive Director of Florence
Housing Authority since October 1, 1990. From June 1989 until this
time, he served as Deputy Director. Roberts' responsibilities as
Executive Director include overseeing the leasing, maintenance and
modernization of 664 Public Housing Apartments; overseeing 581 Housing
Vouchers and reviewing and implementing HUD regulations and procedures;
preparing million dollar plus budgets and handling all procurement;
drafting legal documents and handling evictions and collections;
writing grants; engaging in long-range planning; overseeing
expenditures of more than $8 million dollars annually; supervising 28
administrative and maintenance personnel; and interacting with the
public on a constant basis.
"The Authority provides part of the social safety net, which helps
people who cannot help themselves," Roberts said. "Coupled with the
providing of affordable housing, the Authority offers programs for all
ages to raise their self-esteem, further their education, provide
fellowship or find employment. For the elderly residents, we provide a
safe, comfortable place to live for their golden years. These residents
are on a fixed income and are very concerned about how they can afford
all the necessities of life. We reduce the anxiety level by offering
low-cost, quality housing and services aimed exclusively at our senior
residents."
Authority changes are a continual process and Roberts has seen many in
his tenure as Executive Director. The main changes include: renovation
of apartments, reduction of criminal activity and the improvement of
the Authority's staff. "We have had an extensive long-range plan to
bring all apartments up to current standards. We have systematically
done so and will continue to do so through the Comprehensive Grant
Program. We have spent in excess of $8 million dollars on apartment
renovation since I became Executive Director. We contracted with the
City of Florence for four full-time Community Police Officers
who patrol only the Authority's properties. This has greatly reduced
our crime. Also, we instituted a rigorous resident screening process,
which keeps the criminals out to begin with. We check local and
nationwide criminal records and credit reports. The staff of the
Authority is very experienced, intelligent, committed and willing to do
their job. I have worked to release them from any restrictions that
prevent them from making decisions or taking necessary actions in their
departments. This has made their jobs more enjoyable and has allowed me
to have the time to work in areas such as program development, grant
writing and non-profit creation. The Authority is successful because of
its staff."
Roberts' future goals for the Authority include
finishing complete renovation of all apartments and grounds, providing
extensive training opportunities for the staff, remaining a vital
resource for the City of Florence, looking for opportunities to expand
the Authority's programs for its residents and enhancing currently
offered programs.
"Serving as Executive Director has been a very positive, life changing
and humbling experience. I have learned a tremendous amount about
housing operation, financial management, budget preparation, contract
administration and human resources. The main variable on whether I
would enjoy my job and be successful as Executive Director was
acceptance by the Authority staff. They gave me a chance and so far so
good. The interaction with residents also helped me keep my priorities
in line and constantly reminds me of why the Authority exists and why
it is needed for the betterment of our City."
Roberts is married to the former Pamela McGee of Florence. They have
one son, Shaler S. Roberts, IV and one daughter, Ruth Presley Roberts.
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