“It’s really designed to help those families that are working, but maybe they are struggling to make ends meet,” said Par Tolliver, SMHA executive director.
“It will help lighten the load for providing for their families,” he continued. “Paying rent becomes a strong barrier to how we live weekly and monthly. If we can help assist these families in those areas, we figure this would help.”
SMHA Asset Manager Jennifer Birmele said the need among these groups has grown as the economy declined.
“It seems the people who need the most help are the ones who are struggling and do have jobs,” said Birmele. “A good portion of our waiting list are people who are working but still can’t get by. We’ll be able to assist them faster.”
After a 30-day comment period ends, the proposal could go before the board to be voted on at its March 18 meeting.
Currently established local preferences include:
- Veterans
- Involuntarily displaced
- Homeless family/individual
- Rent burdened (someone who is paying more than 40 percent of income for housing)
- Elevated blood level (for families in older homes that are abated because of lead-based paint)
Tolliver feels the community will embrace the preference.
“I don’t look at it as a controversial one,” said Tolliver. “We’re in the business to help all those who are less fortunate. This is another way to extend our services to those who work hard to make ends meet.
“The way the economy has changed, people who thought they were pretty secure just aren’t as secure now.”
Birmele said many communities have added the “working family” preference with success, and “it helps keep us more viable and healthy, so we can help more in the community.
“It is going to be a win for the community,” she added. “The more people we can help ease the burden on their rent, the more money that is going to be spent in our community.”
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