Warsaw's Housing Authority may become Kosciusko County's Housing Authority.

Right now that change is only one of many discussed in a busy Monday night meeting.

The board addressed the simultaneous creation of a not-for-profit organization and a Community Housing Development Organization. The moves would allow for tax breaks for the authority and possible access to more funds.

Board member Max Courtney encouraged WHA executive director Vicki Provine to investigate expanding housing programs beyond Warsaw city limits. The change to countywide status should be investigated while making nonprofit and CHDO changes, Courtney encouraged.

Preliminary discussion at the meeting revealed that countywide services would require more staff and cooperation from outlying towns.

CHDO status could aid the housing authority in financing staff costs, office expenses and equipment, hardware and software, overhead, strategic planning, organizational development and expansion of existing programs.

To qualify, the board and staff of WHA must complete pending articles of incorporation, bylaw resolutions and applying for tax exempt status.

The CHDO board must be made up of representatives from the community. One-third of the board must comprise low-income residents or people elected by low-income neighborhoods.

Despite the challenges of qualifying for CHDO status, Provine was excited. "I think this is a positive step for the housing authority," she said. "It is a positive step to further housing opportunities in the community."

In other business the board approved one owner-occupied rehab loan and tabled a second for further discussion. The owner-occupied rehab program is narly complete for this year, but WHA is applying for renewed funding. [[In-content Ad]]