WHA Has Too Many Clients
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Warsaw Housing Authority continues to add people to its waiting list, but isn't issuing any new rental vouchers until the number of clients is reduced.
The agency is at 105 percent utilization, which is higher than executive director Laura Kaufman would like to operate. The number of people searching for housing recently was reduced from 31 to 13 when their vouchers expired before they were able to locate adequate housing. There are about 330 people on the waiting list, but no new vouchers will be issued until the numbers come down.
The numbers have remained high because fewer people are leaving the program. For instance, Kaufman said, eight people were added to the rental-assistance program in March, while only two families left the program.
In other business, WHA board members learned at their Monday meeting that letters were sent to Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation clients who are behind in their loan repayments.
Kaufman said those who were falling behind as of March are now making double payments to bring their loans up to date.
The new OOR grants are under way, with the fourth grant for the city of Warsaw having contracts awarded for the repair of three homes. The grant is for $300,000. Also, the second Pierceton OOR grant has work ongoing for three homes and the grant runs through September.
Kaufman said Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, which administers the grants, is seeking a two-month extension for completion of the Kosciusko County Home Rxemedies grant and the Winona Lake grant. However, work continues for the grants that are set to expire at the end of May in case the extension is not permitted.
Kaufman will go before the United Way allocation committee Thursday to learn whether HOW will receive $10,000 in requested funds and/or United Way agency status.
The board congratulated Jennifer Mitchell, who recently graduated from the Family Self-Sufficiency program and was presented an escrow check for $6,500.
Clients who work their way to financial independence through the FSS program have the potential to earn funds from an escrow account set up for each individual. [[In-content Ad]]
The Warsaw Housing Authority continues to add people to its waiting list, but isn't issuing any new rental vouchers until the number of clients is reduced.
The agency is at 105 percent utilization, which is higher than executive director Laura Kaufman would like to operate. The number of people searching for housing recently was reduced from 31 to 13 when their vouchers expired before they were able to locate adequate housing. There are about 330 people on the waiting list, but no new vouchers will be issued until the numbers come down.
The numbers have remained high because fewer people are leaving the program. For instance, Kaufman said, eight people were added to the rental-assistance program in March, while only two families left the program.
In other business, WHA board members learned at their Monday meeting that letters were sent to Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation clients who are behind in their loan repayments.
Kaufman said those who were falling behind as of March are now making double payments to bring their loans up to date.
The new OOR grants are under way, with the fourth grant for the city of Warsaw having contracts awarded for the repair of three homes. The grant is for $300,000. Also, the second Pierceton OOR grant has work ongoing for three homes and the grant runs through September.
Kaufman said Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, which administers the grants, is seeking a two-month extension for completion of the Kosciusko County Home Rxemedies grant and the Winona Lake grant. However, work continues for the grants that are set to expire at the end of May in case the extension is not permitted.
Kaufman will go before the United Way allocation committee Thursday to learn whether HOW will receive $10,000 in requested funds and/or United Way agency status.
The board congratulated Jennifer Mitchell, who recently graduated from the Family Self-Sufficiency program and was presented an escrow check for $6,500.
Clients who work their way to financial independence through the FSS program have the potential to earn funds from an escrow account set up for each individual. [[In-content Ad]]