About Us

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Effective August 12th, 2024 - Waiting Lists Open for the following:

Celina - 2 & 3 Bedrooms

Gainesboro - 2 Bedrooms

Monterey - 3 & 4 Bedrooms          

Willow Heights (62 and over) - 2 Bedrooms

Walnut Village (elderly & disabled) - 2 Bedrooms 

Overview

Highlands Residential Services operates and manages housing units in Algood, Baxter, Celina, Cookeville, Gainesboro and Monterey. Across our neighborhoods, we operate 648 units, including 283 Public Housing units, 158 Low Income Housing Tax Credit units, and 207 Project-Based Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) units for the elderly and the disabled. Our units are designed to give our region’s residents a place to belong while they get on their feet again.

Individuals and families must qualify for the homes and programs offered by Highlands Residential Services. Each prospective resident must complete an application process and must be recertified annually once accepted. HRS receives funding for programs and other needs from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and each of our families also contributes toward keeping and maintaining our programs through their monthly rent payments.

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Mission Statement

Our mission is "To provide safe, decent and affordable housing; to create opportunities for residents’ self-sufficiency and economic independence; and to assure fiscal integrity by all program participants."

History

Highlands Residential Services, formerly Cookeville Housing Authority, was established on October 29, 1952, and construction began on our first low-income housing development, Perry Morgan Homes, in 1957. Currently, we operate 648 units, including 283 Public Housing units, 158 Low Income Housing Tax Credit units, and 207 Project-Based Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) units.

While we originally served only Cookeville, today we support and strengthen the residents of Algood, Baxter, Celina, Gainesboro and Monterey, which means that our reach extends across the Tennessee Highlands region.

“At Highlands Residential Services, we are more than housing. We are building on community to make our neighborhoods, towns and our region stronger, and our new name and image reflect that,” said C. Dow Harris, Highlands Residential Services Executive Director.

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Board of Commissioners

Highlands Residential Services is comprised of a seven-member board of commissioners. The board meets regularly to establish policies, approve expenditures and provide guidance to the agency.

Dan Huffines
Board Member
Jim Martin
Jim Martin
Vice Chairman
David Hill
David Hill
Board Member
Robert Owens
Robert Owens
Chairman
Ben Rodgers
Ben Rodgers
Board Member
Donna Rice
Resident Board Member

Staff

Highlands Residential Services currently employs 26 people, including managers, coordinators and maintenance. HRS utilizes one part-time year round AmeriCorps member and two summer AmeriCorps members.

C. Dow Harris
Executive Director
Kelly Stewart
Director of Operations
Jennifer Flatt
Administrative Assistant
Kayla Gibson
Accounting Manager
Dawn Hargrove
Accounting
Melinda Ayers
Occupancy Manager
Brandi Harris
Occupancy Specialist
Anita Ledbetter
Occupancy Specialist
Kathy Garcia
Occupancy Specialist
Sheri Duncan
Occupancy Specialist
Christina Cassetty
Eligibility Specialist
Misty Parker
Receptionist
Tanayha Meeks
Resident Services
Danny Meadows
Maintenance Supervisor
Mitchell Knight
Maintenance Mechanic / Purchasing
Austin Harris
Maintenance Mechanic
Ray Meadows
Maintenance Mechanic
Donnie Hunter
Maintenance Mechanic
Chris Young
Maintenance Mechanic
Matt Conti
Maintenance Mechanic
Doug Whitehair
Maintenance Mechanic
Ryan Harris
Maintenance Mechanic
Matthew Knight
Maintenance Mechanic
Elston Harris
Maintenance Mechanic
Cody Baxter
Maintenance Mechanic
Jacob Brown
Maintenance Mechanic