Section 8 HUD Regionalization Discussion Continues

Oskaloosa City Hall

Oskaloosa, Iowa – With budgets for departments becoming tighter, the continued theme of regionalization for many different parts of government continues to be a touchy subject.

Troy Peden, the Executive Director for Area XV Multi-County Housing Agency, made a presentation at a joint work session for a discussion of regionalizing the management of the Oskaloosa Section 8 HUD program.

The Area XV Multi-County Housing Agency serves the following counties: Appanoose, Keokuk, Davis, Monroe, Jefferson, Lucas, Mahaska, Wapello, Van Buren, Wayne and Washington counties.

According to Peden, they already serve individuals who live in Mahaska County but live outside Oskaloosa, referencing individuals they assist that live in University Park. Peden said they have “several Participants we assist over there, so coming into this market is not going to be a big shock to us.”

Peden spoke to the differences in which Area XV operates and the current Municipal Housing Authority. “Each housing agency has its’ own culture, so that would be something we would have to learn coming into this market. How they deal with the participants,” Peden said. Peden continued saying they do have “some flexibility with their rules, regulations and policies that we can modify per jurisdiction.”

In a letter to Oskaloosa City Administration, Nancy Robertson, Executive Director with Crisis Intervention Services, wrote in a letter a concern about the change. “It is my understanding that almost all of the correspondence would be handled through mail, phone or internet. While in theory that doesn’t sound like it would present problems, many of these individuals [Crisis Intervention Services Clients] do not have access to a steady address, phone, or email account.”

Peden did say one of the main differences between the two agencies would be the paperwork. When asked how it is handled for those who don’t have a car or computer skills, “Well right now it’s all through the mail. We mail out all the paperwork that needs to be done, and the gals pretty much highlight everything that needs to be filled out. What we have to have, and like I said, we’ve been doing that forever.”

Three local agencies wrote letters of concern about the proposed changes to how Section 8 Housing is operated in Oskaloosa. Alice VanWyk, Executive Director of Love In The Name of Christ, along with Robin Pfalzgraf, President of Mahaska County Homelessness Coalition, and Nancy Robertson, Executive Director of Crisis Intervention Services all wrote letters.

Oskaloosa took up the issue and budget shortfall on July 18th of this year. At that time, Michael Collins, a member of the Oskaloosa Municipal Housing Agency spoke to the City Council. “To cut the administrative costs associated with the section 8 program, it looks impressive on paper, but I think that it’s really important to think about what the costs might be in the long term.” Judy Corbet, manager of the Southern Hills Apartment also spoke to the council. Corbet read a letter from her company. “The reduction in staff support and necessary inspections priority would greatly affect those in need of the most assistance with their housing choices.” The letter went on to say “We would prefer cuts were found in other areas to keep the necessary paperwork, inspection, and support service functions in a low area.”

Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock Jr stated that the funding in question was “controlled by the federal government,” where he went on to say ““The Housing Department offers two distinct programs. One is the section 8 HUD program and two, the Oskaloosa Housing Trust Fund. Due to changes in the funding levels, a push to regionalize these programs and a decrease in activity, specifically on the Oskaloosa Housing Trust Fund.”

Schrock further explained the reason for the possibility of regionalization at the council meeting in July. “The City is faced with a financial dilemma of funding programs that were once self sufficient and required little to no Oskaloosa tax dollars to operate or the council reduce the expenditures to a level where they become more self sufficient. It is without a doubt a tough policy choice for the city council.”

If you need further information on The Area XV Multi-County Housing Agency, you can visit their website at www.areaxvhousing.org, or call 800.848.9438