City leaders express concerns over section 8 housing shortage

AUGUSTA, G.A. (WJBF) – We’re discovering out extra concerning the part 8 housing vouchers that Augusta’s Housing Authority leaders plan to distribute to individuals residing in Dogwood Terrace if that demolition and redevelopment software is accredited. NewsChannel 6 spoke with the Deputy Govt Director of the housing authority.

The Augusta Housing Authority continues to be getting ready the demolition and redevelopment software for Dogwood Terrace. If accredited, some residents could select to relocate with a bit 8 voucher. 

“HUD units the quantity of the what’s referred to as the honest market lease for the Augusta space after which the housing authority will select to set the cost requirements the voucher cost normal between 90 and 110 % of that honest market lease,” stated Douglas Freeman, the deputy government director.

Freeman says the honest market lease adjustments and there’s no telling what the greenback quantity might be on these vouchers this time round. He additionally says the housing authority vouchers are usually at that 110 % stage. 

He says, “Within the 30907 space code, as a result of the price of housing is even increased in that space we received accredited to extend that cost normal to 120 % of the honest market rents so as to give households the flexibility to maneuver on the market and provides them the flexibility to afford the rents on the market.”

However some metropolis leaders are involved. 

Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson says, “I’ve gotten calls over the previous few months from of us which have gotten vouchers however they’re nonetheless not capable of finding part 8 housing. That could be a downside for me.”

Commissioner Johnson says if there’s already a scarcity of part 8 vouchers, the demolition and redevelopment of Dogwood Terrace may depart some households homeless.

“In the event that they get the voucher however they’re not capable of finding a property, what occurs to that particular person would they be capable to dwell within the facility that’s going to switch Dogwood Terrace if it’s official that they’re going to switch it. Will they’ve choices to go some place else. These are questions that we don’t have solutions to as a result of this dialog has not been held on a big scale,” he stated.

Freeman has already promised that the housing authority won’t let that occur, however Johnson says there’s a lengthy waitlist for housing vouchers now.

“I consider the waitlist has gotten to about over three thousand individuals. If that’s the case what occurs to the individuals which can be on the ready listing? Do they get jumped over? I imply what are we doing,” he requested.

Johnson means that housing authority leaders and metropolis leaders get collectively to debate a greater plan.