Seattle Housing
Authority seeks extension of "Moving to Work" status
SEATTLE—May 9, 2008—Seattle
Housing Authority staff members are
seeking an extension to the agency's "Moving to Work"
status. This designation has allowed the Housing
Authority to implement local strategies tailored to
Seattle's needs, even when they conflict with HUD
regulations. The current MTW contract is due to expire
in 2009. On May 19 SHA will hold a hearing to consider a
ten year extension that would continue to allow for
regulatory flexibility, though it would require
additional reporting.
More than 12,000
participate in Section 8 Lottery
SEATTLE—May 1, 2008—Seattle
Housing Authority has created a new waiting list of
4,000 households for its Housing Choice Voucher program
(Section 8). Those 4,000 were selected at random from
nearly 12,400 households that entered a lottery for
waiting list positions conducted in March and April. Of
those on the new list, 600 have already been notified to
receive a voucher. The new waiting list is expected to
last for about two years.
Rainier Vista
blossoms on Arbor Day
SEATTLE—April 24, 2008—Community
members gathered at Rainier Vista on April 24 to
celebrate Arbor Day by planting both living trees
and a sculptural tree that celebrates the stories of the
community. The sculpture, provided through the efforts
of Iron Monkeys Collaborative and Ignition Northwest,
incorporates a bench with panels that detail the story
of the nearby Whirligigs that were created by Asa Mercer
Middle School students with help from SouthEast
Effective Development Arts.
Board revises
eligibility standards for Housing Choice Voucher
applicants
SEATTLE—April 21, 2008—Eligibility
criteria for Housing Choice Voucher applicants were
revised by Seattle Housing Authority's Board of
Commissioners in a unanimous vote on April 21.
Applicants who have been incarcerated for certain crimes
will now be eligible to receive a voucher after a 12
month waiting period once their incarceration ends. The
new standard will help to lower the regulatory barriers
that make it difficult for homeless people to secure
housing.
