AUGUST 9, 2024 HOUSING Section 86’d: Housing Choice Voucher waitlist closes in Michigan Last month, the waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers closed statewide. No new applications will be taken and existing renewals will not happen. The waiting list will be dropped entirely. This leaves some people who have been anxiously waiting for their spot for years feeling frustrated. The multi-year process of checking-in, preparing paperwork, meeting case managers can be a daunting effort. Two friends of mine are going through the process, Steve and Amy. They’re navigating the challenging terrain of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (MSHDA) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, commonly known as Section 8. This program is essential for providing affordable housing to low-income residents, but the process can be fraught with difficulties, especially with the complexities of the waiting list in Washtenaw County. The MSHDA Housing Choice Voucher Program operates on a waiting list system to manage the demand for affordable housing. In Washtenaw County, where the need is high, this waiting list can extend over several years. This lengthy wait often leads to considerable confusion and frustration for those seeking assistance. According to the County's website, there were over 2,400 vouchers administered in Washtenaw County in 2023, and 140 are reserved for homeless households. One major issue is that the waiting list is dynamic rather than static. Applicants are placed on the list based on their application date and need, but changes can occur, including additions or removals based on various criteria.This can make it difficult for applicants to understand their current standing and predict when they might receive assistance. Mercy House] and certain people at Delonis. It’s stupid. I owned a trailer and tried to apply for Section 8. It could have totally eliminated this process. I could have saved my place. “Seriously,” Amy continued. “I ROBBIE FEBRUARY Groundcover contributor Due to budget constraints, the HCV program will not release any new vouchers for the foreseeable future. During this time, MSHDA will close all HCV waitlists to new additions starting July 1, 2024, and waitlists will remain closed until the budget allows for new vouchers to be released. Budget shortfalls from the federal government coupled with rising housing costs have created a deficit in the program. Misunderstandings Complicating the process further are the project preferences that influence an applicant’s waiting list status. MSHDA administers the HCV Program with various housing projects and landlords, each with their own criteria for accepting tenants. Preferences may prioritize certain demographics, such as veterans or individuals with disabilities, which can affect an applicant’s placement on the waiting list. Steve shared his frustration with the lack of clarity in the process: “We were living at the Purple House for the winter a few days a week. That is when we got the first letter about being kicked off the list. I am not used to this craziness. I don’t know how any of this works.” Amy followed up, “We felt defeated. Like nobody cares, except people like Peggy [Lynch, founder of had 23 teeth taken out and had emergency surgery this month. Recovering in my car is hard. We are so thankful for the car, but I have neuropathy. Have you experienced waking up in the winter with burning hot feet? Like someone has a f***ing torch to your feet. But because of Peggy, no lie, this pain was significantly reduced. “ “Well, it’s shitty that someone has to recover from surgery sleeping on a floor or in a car seat,” I replied. “Duh,” Amy and Steve say in unison. Administrative challenges and communication barriers Administrative challenges within MSHDA itself further contribute to the difficulties. Bureaucratic processes can create barriers to effective communication and management of the waiting list. Many applicants, including Steve and Amy, report struggles with reaching MSHDA staff, receiving timely responses, or understanding the instructions provided. “I felt like we had no support from the County,” Steve noted. MSHDA’s website and online resources, while useful, might not always be up-to-date or comprehensive. Applicants often rely on these resources for guidance, but outdated information can lead to misunderstandings about the waiting list process.The people who help locally are Delonis Center and HAWC (Housing Access of Washtenaw County). Steve and Amy stayed in their car often last winter. They not only suffered from below freezing temperatures, they were also harassed by law enforcement. Steve said, “We were targeted by the police in November. Received multiple tickets on back to back days while caring for a friend sleeping in our car.” “Get one ticket that I can’t afford to pay, then I get a late fee. My tags are soon expired and I can’t get them updated until I catch up with the tickets. Even if we are homeless, we pay taxes. These $100 tickets have Robbie (right) interviewing Amy and Steve (left, middle). see HCV page 8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. The Summer Game If you’re reading this, the 2024 Summer Game is officially in full swing! Use your Library this summer to find codes, solve puzzles, attend events, and earn points toward awesome AADL prizes. Visit aadl.org/play to learn more and get started! Fifth Avenue Press AADL founded Fifth Avenue Press in 2017 to support the local writing community and promote the creation of original content. The imprint publishes works by authors who live in Washtenaw County. Consider submitting your finished manuscript to Fifth Avenue Press today at fifthave.aadl.org. FEATURED EVENT Summer Game SKATE Friday, August 23 • 6–8pm Yost Ice Arena Join AADL at Yost Ice Arena to celebrate the end of Summer Game 2024! There will be no charge for admission or skate rentals. Eli and his game code shirt will be in attendance. Please note: Skate at your own risk! 5
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