LMHA
Helps Families Find Permanent Housing
Lucas Metropolitan Housing
Authority (LMHA) has many programs to assist families in
finding homes. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program —
which is commonly called Section 8 — and the Family
Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) are two of them.
HCV is a federally-funded rental program that helps families
obtain homes in the private housing market. Families who are
eligible are issued a housing subsidy (a determined portion
of the rent) which is paid directly
to the landlord. The family then pays the difference. LMHA
can assist up to 4,400 families with rental assistance. The
Housing Choice Voucher is tied to the family, not the
housing unit. This allows the family to lease any unit that
meets the programs requirement including units outside Lucas
Metropolitan Housing Authority jurisdiction.
When renters express an interest in home ownership, LMHA
helps them by counseling them via the Family
Self-Sufficiency Program. This program helps them free
themselves from government assistance and become financially
independent. They are helped to obtain a living wage and to
set financial goals. As their income increases, so does the
portion of the rent they pay. Also, as their income
increases, additional money is put in an escrow account so
that they can begin saving. The escrow savings can be used
for a down payment on a permanent residence. Typically, this
can be a five-year process. There are many other agency
partners in the FSS program — NeighborWorks Toledo Region,
Pathway Toledo, Owens Corning, Ohio Means Jobs and the City
of Toledo to name a few.
Tamela Shanks-Royston, acting VP of the HCV program, stated
that “there are currently 61 homeowners who have gone
through the program. We are expecting at least an additional
five families to reach their goal of homeownership this
year.” Edward Bell is one of those residents. A participant
in the HCV program since 2011, Bell took advantage of the
Family Self-Sufficiency Program. He completed a home buyer’s
education class with NeighborWorks. During this time also,
he received guardianship of his three grandchildren. Now, a
homeowner, Bell and his family are extremely excited to be
living in their new home.
Additional information about these programs can be obtained
from LMHA’s website:lucasmha.org.
About Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority
Established
in 1933, Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA)
continues to provide affordable housing to adults, seniors
and children in its Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher,
Mixed-Income and market rate housing units. LMHA also
provides a myriad of programs and opportunities designed to
improve the total quality of life for our residents, with
the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency. The
programs and services are the result of successful
collaborations with numerous community partners. Our current
housing portfolio consists of 2,701 Public Housing units;
4,366 Housing Choice Vouchers; 32 Low-Income Housing Tax
Credit units; 198 Market Rate units; and, 53 Rent-to-Own
properties. There are approximately 17,500 people who reside
in LMHA properties.
Lucas
Metropolitan Housing Authority partners with ALL people and
organizations willing to exchange ideas and efforts to
enhance Toledo, Lucas County, and the world.
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