NOAH Executive director Thomas Roberts was recently appointed to Palm Beach County’s Housing Finance Authority by District 6 Commissioner Jess R. Santamaria.

The Authority assists individuals in home ownership through the sale of tax free revenue bonds that make money available for low-interest mortgages on multi-family projects.

"It’s an extremely powerful board," said Earl Mixon, the only executive director the Authority has had since its inception in 1979. The Authority manages about $35 million to $45 million each year. Mixon said Roberts’ insight would be beneficial to the seven-member board.

"There is a tremendous need for safe, affordable housing in the Glades and I thought it would be great if we had a representative in the Glades area," Mixon said. "If you’ve got somebody on your front porch, they know the day-to-day needs of the people out there. That’s why I recommended him to Commissioner Santamaria."

Mixon was familiar with Thomas because the Authority contracted with NOAH to administer a $1 million grant program to help residents in the Glades who were displaced by hurricanes. The Authority paid rent for residents for up to one year. NOAH found homes and contracted with landlords acting as agents for the residents.

"I was very much impressed with his ability as well as the amount of work NOAH was taking on in the Glades," Mixon said.

Mixon also is very familiar with NOAH. His agency provided money for NOAH to build Covenant Gardens and South Bay Villas in the 1980s. Roberts’ participation on the board will help ensure a continuity of support for residents in western Palm Beach County.