8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES HCV from page 5 kept Amy and I in a precarious situation for months. The stress of it has caused a few medical concerns. We have had four surgeries between the two of us in the last 30 days. This isn’t any way to heal and it will cause us years of recovery that could have and should have been prevented.” Amy reaches out for Steve's hand and we continue the interview. “I met Steve in first grade.” Amy added, “I was married for 15 years with two kids. My husband passed away in 2015 and my life has been a mess since. I was 35 when he died. We had no insurance, nothing. I had a trailer in Wixom. Steve and I stayed in touch and started traveling together in November 2022. We were in the same situation, we were f***ed and let’s just say we were still f***ed. We chose to find shelter together compared to two bad separate home situations.” Steve said “The first letter we got [from MSHDA] stated that it was determined that we were housed. I was like ‘When? And how the f*** did anyone determine we were housed?’ We followed up with them and I felt the community was turning on me. We were in a lot of contact with PATH. Or maybe sh*t got lost in the shuffle. Last year, PATH would come out and check on us. This year I feel like we have no support from the County." Addressing the confusion To address these issues in Washtenaw County, several measures could be considered: 1. Improve mail handling: Ensuring reliable mail delivery for shelters like the Delonis Center is crucial. MSHDA should work with these facilities to resolve mail issues and explore alternative communication methods, such as digital notifications or secure online portals. 2. Improve communication: The HCV program could improve its communication strategies by providing clear, updates about the waiting list process. Enhancing accessibility through multiple communication channels would also be beneficial. 3. Clarify project preferences: Offering transparent information about project preferences and criteria would help applicants understand how these factors affect their waiting list status. Clear guidelines can aid applicants in making more informed decisions. 4. Simplifying administrative procedures: This will improve efficiency and reduce delays. Investing in technology and staff training might enhance waiting list management and applicant experience. 5. Provide educational resources: Offering workshops or resources to educate applicants about the waiting detailed instructions and list process, their rights, and available options can empower them to navigate the system more effectively. By tackling these areas, MSHDA can better support applicants like Steve and Amy, reducing the stress and uncertainty associated with the waiting list and ultimately providing more effective and equitable affordable housing assistance. MSHDA will continue to provide rental assistance on behalf of current HCV participants as their program participation is not impacted by the shortfall. MSHDA may continue to assist families in these programs: Project-Based Voucher program, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, and the Stability Voucher program. People who are seeking publicly funded housing should take heart. Many other states have suspended their waiting lists only to reopen them again. New York recently reopened a previously closed list. Over two hundred thousand people applied for less than three thousand vouchers, but there are other opportunities as well. Steve adds a personal note: “I can still beat up on some of those younger guys on the disc golf course. When I’m done, I’ll whip them up with a tasty dish of Stevey sauce served on my favorite disc.” His humor underscores the resilience and determination that keep him and Amy going despite the challenges they face. exp. 01/31/2025 AUGUST 9, 2024
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