|
|
|
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency staff met with Chickasaw Towers residents Wednesday to discuss Housing Choice Voucher options.
OHFA Executive Director Dennis Shockley said the purpose of the meeting was to inform the residents concerning what is commonly called “Section 8” vouchers.
“Staff met with the seniors living in the Chickasaw Towers. We’re trying to let them know what the options are,” Shockley said, adding OHFA serves as the representative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rental assistance program.
The Chickasaw Housing Authority announced in September Chickasaw Towers would be closed. CHA Executive Director Wayne Scribner said previously the decision to close the low rent-high rise was based on the high price of renovating the 97-unit structure to meet current standards.
Tower residents, mostly senior citizen and handicapped renters, were concerned the five-month timeline for the closure would leave them with nowhere to live and no place to go. Scribner said originally the timeline had been “blown way out of proportion. We are just in the initial phase. It could take much longer and we’re not going to just lock the doors in five months and put people out on the street. No one is going to be kicked out.”
Scribner also promised the CHA would assist renters in finding new living accommodations.
“When facilities like this one are closed, residents are considered displaced persons,” he said. “There are rules and regulations in place and we have a responsibility to the renters, some of whom have been our residents for 10, 15 even, 20 years. We don’t take this lightly.”
Shockley said Wednesday the OHFA is not a part of the CHA nor does it represent the entity. He said OHFA traveled to Ardmore simply to provide tower residents about option information and specifically talk about “Section 8” vouchers.
“A ‘Section 8’ voucher is income driven. It pays a portion of the rent, depending on what the income is and, in certain cases, may pay the total amount of rent,” Shockley said.
“Section 8” tenants are responsible for finding appropriate low-income housing and landlords who are willing to agree to participate in the program.
“Units must pass a physical inspection called ‘Housing Quality Standards,’” Shockley said, adding Ardmore does have housing that already meets the standards. But those who use “Section 8” vouchers to obtain housing are not limited to any particular location.
“Vouchers are portable. If they have family somewhere else, they can move to be near them,” Shockley said.
Chickasaw Towers residents don’t have to wait until the apartment complex closes before applying for acceptance into the Housing Choice Voucher program. Shockley said tower residents can apply now.
However, he described the program as “in high demand” and said those with disabilities and homeless people receive preference.
More information about the program is available online at www.gosection8.com.
Marsha Miller, 221-6529
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency staff met with Chickasaw Towers residents Wednesday to discuss Housing Choice Voucher options.
OHFA Executive Director Dennis Shockley said the purpose of the meeting was to inform the residents concerning what is commonly called “Section 8” vouchers.
“Staff met with the seniors living in the Chickasaw Towers. We’re trying to let them know what the options are,” Shockley said, adding OHFA serves as the representative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rental assistance program.
The Chickasaw Housing Authority announced in September Chickasaw Towers would be closed. CHA Executive Director Wayne Scribner said previously the decision to close the low rent-high rise was based on the high price of renovating the 97-unit structure to meet current standards.
Tower residents, mostly senior citizen and handicapped renters, were concerned the five-month timeline for the closure would leave them with nowhere to live and no place to go. Scribner said originally the timeline had been “blown way out of proportion. We are just in the initial phase. It could take much longer and we’re not going to just lock the doors in five months and put people out on the street. No one is going to be kicked out.”
Scribner also promised the CHA would assist renters in finding new living accommodations.
“When facilities like this one are closed, residents are considered displaced persons,” he said. “There are rules and regulations in place and we have a responsibility to the renters, some of whom have been our residents for 10, 15 even, 20 years. We don’t take this lightly.”
Shockley said Wednesday the OHFA is not a part of the CHA nor does it represent the entity. He said OHFA traveled to Ardmore simply to provide tower residents about option information and specifically talk about “Section 8” vouchers.
“A ‘Section 8’ voucher is income driven. It pays a portion of the rent, depending on what the income is and, in certain cases, may pay the total amount of rent,” Shockley said.
“Section 8” tenants are responsible for finding appropriate low-income housing and landlords who are willing to agree to participate in the program.
“Units must pass a physical inspection called ‘Housing Quality Standards,’” Shockley said, adding Ardmore does have housing that already meets the standards. But those who use “Section 8” vouchers to obtain housing are not limited to any particular location.
“Vouchers are portable. If they have family somewhere else, they can move to be near them,” Shockley said.
Chickasaw Towers residents don’t have to wait until the apartment complex closes before applying for acceptance into the Housing Choice Voucher program. Shockley said tower residents can apply now.
However, he described the program as “in high demand” and said those with disabilities and homeless people receive preference.
More information about the program is available online at www.gosection8.com.
Marsha Miller, 221-6529
