Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Warsaw Housing Authority has completed its move to its new location.
The agency outgrew its former facility on South Buffalo Street and now is at 827 S. Union St., Suite 230, Warsaw.
The WHA board of commissioners has been meeting in the law offices of Lemon & Lemon, with Monday being its final time to gather there. Board president Bob Kline expressed gratitude for the opportunity to use the facility. Beginning with the May meeting, the WHA board will meet at the agency's new offices.
During Monday's meeting, the board opted to accept a counteroffer of $2,200 to settle an outstanding lien on a North Park Avenue property.
A total of about $5,692 is owed and the agency previously offered to release the lien for one-half that amount, or $2,845.76. However, the property owner offered to pay $1,500.
Board member Tom Lemon, who is an attorney, spoke with the attorney for the property owner and reached a tentative settlement of $2,200. The board voted to accept that amount as final payment.
The lien is from a mortgage on the property that was part of a 20-year-old rehabilitation project. The house on the lot burned down and an adjacent property owner bought the property, not realizing the extent of the liens against it. Several other liens also are being settled, according to WHA executive director Laura Kaufman.
In other business, Kaufman said few people are coming forward for assistance through the Kosciusko County Home Rxemedies grant program. There is $145,000 available to assist disabled property owners throughout the county in making necessary modifications for accessibility. Changes can include ramps, bathroom rails and other assistance needs.
The grant is being administered through Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, the sister agency of WHA. It is for all qualified homeowners countywide.
For more information, call 269-7641.
In another HOW matter, the agency has applied for United Way status, which would bring in additional funding for housing rehabilitation assistance.
The WHA board of commissioners meets at 5:15 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month. Members are Bob Kline, Tom Lemon, Dennis Cultice, Joel Curry, Brian Grantz, Pat Ellis and Jennifer Mitchell. Bill Rhoades is the nonvoting Warsaw City Council representative to the board.
