Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
If approval is given by the city for the construction of a new apartment complex, the housing authority would have a limited partnership with the property manager and refer its clients for housing.
Warsaw Housing Authority Executive Director Laura Kaufman told the agency's board of commissioners Monday about the proposal by Herman Associates Inc., a residential builder and developer from Indianapolis.
If approved, Canterbury House Apartments would be located at 1751 Husky Trail, north of Harrison Elementary School, and would serve low-income residents. The 80-unit complex would have rents on a sliding scale based on income and set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As an example, a family of four with an income of $23,000 would qualify for subsidized housing under the 50 percentile area median income.
The project would be partially funded with tax credits and the developer has applied for this distinction with the state, Kaufman said. Also, the proposed project has gotten a letter of support from Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins.
The limited partnership role of the WHA would include referrals of Section 8 clients and workshops, such as credit and home ownership counseling.
Kaufman said similar apartment complexes exist in Indianapolis and Plymouth. She spoke with Plymouth officials regarding the upkeep and maintenance of the units and received positive feedback. Another such complex is under construction by the builder in Bloomington.
The timeline for this proposal would put the start of construction in spring 2002 if the city OKs the project.
In other business, the board learned that fair market rent allowances may increase by $80, which will make it easier for the low-end low-income clients and no-income clients to find affordable housing.
Kaufman said only 45 percent of the clients were able to locate housing between Aug. 1 and Jan. 31. Housing authorities qualify for increased rents if the placement success rate in at least a six-month period is less than 75 percent.
Currently, a two-bedroom unit (including utilities) is set at $499 per month. The new rates would allow $579 per month for housing and utilities.
If the request for increased rates is approved, the new fair market rents would be good for one year. The application was submitted March 21.
In other matters, the board:
• Was informed the utilization rate for the Section 8 project is at 90 percent. Kaufman said she anticipates reaching 100 percent utilization by June.
• Learned the housing authority and Housing Opportunities of Warsaw employees will man a booth at the Home, Lawn & Sport Show April 6-8 at Lakeview Middle School to provide information on affordable housing in the area.
• Is considering applying for HOW to become a United Way agency. Application is due April 21.
The WHA board of commissioners meets at 5:15 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month in the law offices of Lemon, Armey, Hearn & Leininger. Board members are Bob Kline, Sherri Ruggier-Milton, Dennis Cultice, Tom Lemon and Axa Troncoso. The city council representative to the board and nonvoting member is Bill Rhoades.
