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2014 SESSION

14101215D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 36
Offered January 8, 2014
Prefiled January 6, 2014
Commending T. K. Somanath.
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Patron-- Carr
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WHEREAS, T. K. Somanath, the long-time president and chief executive officer of the Better Housing Coalition, has worked to improve the lives of Richmond-area residents for more than 40 years; and

WHEREAS, T. K. Somanath was the Better Housing Coalition’s first president and chief executive officer from 1989 until his retirement in 2013; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Better Housing Coalition is to change lives and transform communities through high-quality affordable housing, which provides the foundation for the social and economic well-being of people and communities; and

WHEREAS, under T. K. Somanath’s able leadership, the Better Housing Coalition developed 15 communities and nearly 1,500 apartments, composed of new construction and renovations of existing structures, working in tandem with residents to meet their needs with respect to preserving the history and character of neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, T. K. Somanath, who is a civil engineer by training, is well regarded for his ability to assemble the disparate elements needed for housing developments to be built economically, such as securing government grants, tax credits, subsidies, and other forms of financing; and

WHEREAS, T. K. Somanath brought many skills to the Better Housing Coalition’s work, including a deep compassion for the area’s less fortunate citizens, an ability to manage large projects, and a results-oriented focus; and

WHEREAS, many neighborhoods in the Richmond area reflect the tireless efforts of T. K. Somanath and the Better Housing Coalition, including Winchester Greens in Chesterfield County, the Randolph neighborhood in Richmond, the Cary Street corridor, and the Fairmount area of Church Hill; and

WHEREAS, because of T. K. Somanath’s commitment to helping others achieve the American Dream, nearly 200 families who never dreamed that home ownership was possible, now enjoy the quality of life and wealth-building that homeownership brings; and

WHEREAS, the Better Housing Coalition’s eighth community for lower-income seniors developed under T. K. Somanath’s leadership, which is a cornerstone of revitalization efforts in North Church Hill, will be dedicated as Somanath Senior Apartments at Beckstoffer’s Mill on April 28, 2014; and  

WHEREAS, after 40 years of working to improve lives by creating affordable, attractive, environmentally friendly homes, T. K. Somanath retired in June 2013, and many of the family-friendly and diverse neighborhoods that make Richmond a vibrant urban center owe their revitalization to T. K. Somanath and the Better Housing Coalition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That T. K. Somanath hereby be commended for his leadership of the Better Housing Coalition and his work to improve the lives of Richmond-area residents; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to T. K. Somanath as an expression of the House of Delegates’ appreciation and great admiration for his leadership and accomplishments and best wishes for his retirement.