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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 03-10 Maplewood seeks rent aid funds from HUD THE REVIEW Maplewood seeks rent aid funds from HUD by Scott Carlson by the city Human Relations Commission, dicates that the number of units which x. In an effort to secure housing help for the Planning Commission and City would be available to use over the three low-income families and elderly citizens, Manager Michael Miller. year period would probably be less than the Maplewood council has passed a 100(units),"she added. resolution asking the Metropolitan DURING THE NEXT three years an Miller,in his reports to the council, Council to include it with 13 other com- interim allocation plan developed by the indicated that Maplewood has had about munities in an annual application for Metropolitan Council indicates that 20 inquiries from local residents during rental assistance funds from the federal Maplewood will need some 330 units of the last six months regarding rental Housing and Urban Development(HUD). subsidized housing, stated Lorraine assistance for housing. The council's action was taken at its Fischer, HRA chairman, in a Dwight Jessup,an HRA member,said Feb. 26 meeting after the Maplewood memorandum to the council."If we were the prospect of funding for rental Housing and Redevelopment Authority to apply for participation in the Metro assistance to 30 families or other eligible (HRA) had apparently documented the HRA Section 8 program,and if we are people for each of the upcoming three need for rental assistance for Maplewood selected to become a participating Years would indicate that Maplewood residents.The resolution was also backed community, current information in- would have no difficulty in using the federal help."I would think and I would guess that we could nil that with the in- formation given to us by the city manager,"Jessup said. "Besides providing the housing op- portunities to low and moderate income people is it might give us a chance to find out what the need is,"he added CondioJ.'—> coi>tia. LASTJULY COUNCILMEN were hesitant to plunge into any program of housing subsidy without knowing whether there was a demonstrated need for such a service in Maplewood. Now of those skeptical councilmen, Donald Wiegert, indicated that the new information has "given me an idea of what the need is." Two other council objections were that rental assistance should not be provided if it meant taking housing projects off the tax rolls or if the financial help would tend to cluster subsidized housing in the city. Under the Section 8 rental assistance program both of the council's concerns would be met, Miller and Fischer in- dicated.Tenants can select either a new or old housing unit for rental assistance thus making possible scattered-site housing while the housing still remains on the tax rolls,they stated. Fischer stated that an eligible recipient for rental assistance would pay between 15 and 25 percent of his or her income towards the rent while HUD would pay the difference between that amount and "fair market rent." In seeking the funding through the Metropolitan Council,Maplewood avoids the problems of filling out its own ap- plication form for the funding. Under provisions of the Metropolitan Council,Maplewood could decide to have the Metro HRA handle all aspects of the Section 8 program,including the staffing to certify applicants,except inspections to determine whether the housing unit(s) are deemed adequate. Inspections must be performed by appropriate city personnel. But Maplewood would be reimbursed$24 for each inspection. FISCHER REPORTED that neigh- boring North St. Paul has found the program successful.Out of 30 North St. Paul applications to seek rental assistance 28 of those people are North St. Paulites,she noted. Jessup,in his comments to the council, felt that Maplewood would have a similar response and that it could serve the needs of its own citizens. Actual administration of the funding for Maplewood,if and when it is approved, has yet to be determined by the council.