WHA Recognizes Latest FSS Program Graduate
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Brandy Holle, Warsaw, is the latest graduate of Warsaw Housing Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency program.
FSS is designed to help those receiving Section 8 rental assistance to work and plan toward financial independence. Participants must earn at least a two-year college degree, obtain a job in their field of study and begin earning an income more than the limit for Section 8 assistance within five years.
As participants earn more and are able to pay more toward their rent, Warsaw Housing Authority creates an escrow savings account with the rental assistance money they save.
Upon graduation from the program, participants receive a check for the amount in the account.
Holle was recognized by the WHA board of commissioners Monday and received a certificate of graduation from the program and a check for $599. She earned a medical laboratory technician degree from Ivy Tech State College in South Bend and works as a medical lab technician at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
"I plan on putting $300 from the check in an IDA account for a down payment on a house and the other $200 in a savings account," Holle said. She also said she plans to go back to school for a higher medical technician degree.
Section 8 housing program manager Kim Baney said of Holle, "She's come a long way in 3-1/2 years. She's now determined to get out of the public assistance system. It's great to see her come this far."
In other business, the WHA board:
• Heard Baney's suggestion to lower payment standards to balance WHA's budget. WHA currently pays out 10 percent more than the funds recommended by Federal Housing and Urban Development.
Baney suggested the board consider reducing its standard to use closer to 100 percent of the recommended amount.
Board member Brian Grantz said that when the board made the decision to pay 110 percent, it was because reducing that amount would be "taking money out of the hands of those who need it most.
"To reduce what we send out in a soft economy, I'm not comfortable with. However, I do realize we need a bottom line," he said.
The decision is on the agenda for the next board meeting, Sept. 22, at 5:15 p.m.
Board members are president Bob Kline, Dennis Cultice, Pat Ellis, Wayne Walston, Joel Curry and Brian Grantz. [[In-content Ad]]
Brandy Holle, Warsaw, is the latest graduate of Warsaw Housing Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency program.
FSS is designed to help those receiving Section 8 rental assistance to work and plan toward financial independence. Participants must earn at least a two-year college degree, obtain a job in their field of study and begin earning an income more than the limit for Section 8 assistance within five years.
As participants earn more and are able to pay more toward their rent, Warsaw Housing Authority creates an escrow savings account with the rental assistance money they save.
Upon graduation from the program, participants receive a check for the amount in the account.
Holle was recognized by the WHA board of commissioners Monday and received a certificate of graduation from the program and a check for $599. She earned a medical laboratory technician degree from Ivy Tech State College in South Bend and works as a medical lab technician at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
"I plan on putting $300 from the check in an IDA account for a down payment on a house and the other $200 in a savings account," Holle said. She also said she plans to go back to school for a higher medical technician degree.
Section 8 housing program manager Kim Baney said of Holle, "She's come a long way in 3-1/2 years. She's now determined to get out of the public assistance system. It's great to see her come this far."
In other business, the WHA board:
• Heard Baney's suggestion to lower payment standards to balance WHA's budget. WHA currently pays out 10 percent more than the funds recommended by Federal Housing and Urban Development.
Baney suggested the board consider reducing its standard to use closer to 100 percent of the recommended amount.
Board member Brian Grantz said that when the board made the decision to pay 110 percent, it was because reducing that amount would be "taking money out of the hands of those who need it most.
"To reduce what we send out in a soft economy, I'm not comfortable with. However, I do realize we need a bottom line," he said.
The decision is on the agenda for the next board meeting, Sept. 22, at 5:15 p.m.
Board members are president Bob Kline, Dennis Cultice, Pat Ellis, Wayne Walston, Joel Curry and Brian Grantz. [[In-content Ad]]