New payment standards for 2015, approved Friday by the authority board, raise rents to be paid for two-bedroom apartments through the vouchers — and supplementary payments from the renters — to 110 percent of fair market rates, the highest level permitted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“People will be more successful in finding rentals,” said board member Dave Gully, administrator of the Warren County government.”It’s becoming increasingly difficult.”
Part of the problem stems from the lack of affordable housing in the affluent county.
According to the latest federal standards, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Warren County is $880.
One local landlord said the increases could make it harder for local families without assistance to find rentals.
“These rates are going so high, working-class people can’t afford them,” landlord Scott Burris said.
Burris, who said he doesn’t accept Section 8 vouchers, said the local rental market was so competitive, he didn’t need to advertise.
“The rental market is so strong in this area,“ he said. “Most of my renters are word of mouth.”
Jacqueline Adkins, executive director of the authority, acknowledged the tight market was making it difficult for low-income renters to find places to live in Warren County.
She said the waiting list for Section 8 vouchers was closed in April when it numbered about 900 families.
“They are coming in to apply because they need help now,” she said, adding the agency referred such people needing housing to area social agencies.
The authority, centered in Lebanon, currently administers 798 vouchers under the Section 8 program issued around the county. Actual rents paid through the program vary from city to city.
The waiting list has been whittled down since the county took on 350 vouchers — 304 that had not been issued — from the Middletown Housing Authority, when it closed earlier this year, she said.
As of Nov. 1, 453 people were renting through Section 8 vouchers issued by the Warren County agency, resulting in more than $2 million in federal assistance, Adkins said.
The agency’s current Section 8 funding is $2.4 million. she said.
Under the program, a family’s share of rent and utilities can’t exceed 40 percent of their income.
For one-bedroom apartments, the rate will remain at 110 percent of the market rate, with the standard rising from $609 to $636. For two bedrooms, the standard was raised from 102 percent to 110 percent, increasing the dollar amount for rent and utilities from $750 to $845.
Already the agency has been reducing its waiting list, about 50 a month, using the former Middletown vouchers.
“We want to help as many families as we can. It’s kind of a see-saw,” Adkins said.
Without vouchers, low-income families are forced to make other arrangements, in some cases paying higher rents than they can afford, Adkins said.
In Warren County, the Interfaith Hospital Network offers shelter to families unable to find housing.
“Some are living with family, it just varies,” Adkins said.
About the Author
