KINGSTON--Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) said its Rental Assistance department will accept applications for the Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher program waiting list until February 10, 2011. The program, underwritten by the federal Housing and Urban Development agency and delivered through the state Housing and Community Renewal department, provides help with paying the rent for very low-income families. It enables people with limited income to choose and lease safe, affordable, privately owned, rental housing. The program primarily serves low income senior citizens and families with children. This is the first time applications for the program have been accepted since 2008 and applications will only be accepted until February 10.
"The Housing Choice Voucher program is the cornerstone of our Rental Assistance activity," said RUPCO Executive Director, Kevin O’Connor. "We currently assist nearly 1,400 families every month and we do still have families on our existing waiting list. Those on the current waiting list do not have to reapply. Unfortunately, the number of vouchers available is limited and though the waiting list is being opened, there will still be a significant wait for most families seeking assistance."
O’Connor said the agency has been able to increase the number of households served by the program. "In 2001 we had just 600 vouchers. Today, we have 1,600, which is 200 more than last year. But the need continues to outpace the availability of assistance."
O’Connor said a large number of seniors and families are expected to apply during the 30 day period and there will be a random drawing system to determine which applicants will actually get onto the waiting list. All applications received during the 30 day period will be placed in the drawing, but only the first 1,000 applications selected from the lottery will be added.
"We have chosen the random drawing system in an effort to give equal opportunity and access to all county residents who apply," said O’Connor. "In the past, we’ve done a first come, first served basis,"
he said. "But that was hard for some folks living in distant parts of the county."
Vanessa Secore, RUPCO’s Rental Assistance Director said Ulster County individuals and families earning 50 percent or less of the area median income are eligible to apply. For a family of four, a household income of $35,050. Applications for the program can be picked up at RUPCO’s main office at 289 Fair Street, Kingston between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm until Feb. 10. They may also be printed off the RUPCO website, www.rupco.org. Completed applications must be mailed back to the RUPCO office or returned in person between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday and must be in the RUPCO offices no later than 4:30 pm on February 10 to be considered. No faxed or emailed applications will be accepted.
Secore noted that once applications are on the list, a rigorous screening process will begin to verify eligibility for each applicant. "All income information provided must be carefully checked and verified by third parties," said Secore. She also indicated that while participants may choose to live in any rental unit in the county, all rental units must be inspected to be sure they are safe. She also indicated that the rents being charged to program participants must meet a "rent reasonableness" standard and can’t be out of line with other market rate rents charged for similar units elsewhere in the county. Once accepted in the program, all participants must pay 30 percent of their income toward their rent, and the voucher program pays the balance.
"In the end, this is all about making sure that people have a clean and safe place to live their lives and raise their families," said Secore. "We are very happy to be able to accept new applicants at this time and look forward to serving them."
RUPCO, which celebrates its 30th anniversary throughout 2011, is Ulster County’s premier housing agency, providing homeownership assistance, home rehabilitation grants, property management services, rental assistance and financial and foreclosure counseling to thousands of Ulster County residents each year. RUPCO counselors are HUD certified and offer their services at no charge. More information on RUPCO is available by calling 845-331-2140 or going to www.rupco.org.
Source: Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO)
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