By Sharon Salyer
Herald Writer
More than 500 area elderly, disabled or low-income individuals and families will soon get help finding affordable housing.
Housing authorities in Everett and Snohomish and Island Counties have just received word that they will receive a total of $3.37 million from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing vouchers.
"This is one of the largest (amounts) we’ve ever received," said Bud Alkire, executive director of the Everett Housing Authority, of the $934,659 his agency will receive. The money will help an estimated 150 people.
Twenty percent of the vouchers will be set aside for the disabled, 10 percent to keep elderly individuals out of nursing homes, and the rest will go to low-income families and individuals.
The vouchers are a guarantee of monthly housing checks to help pay the cost of rent. The exact amount paid depends on income. The remainder of the rent is paid by the individual or family.
To quality, families or individuals can make no more than 50 percent of the median income in the county.
In Snohomish County, this means that the annual income for a family of four cannot exceed $36,100.
The 150 additional housing vouchers means that Everett now has 1,820 individuals and families receiving help paying for housing costs through the federal voucher program, Alkire said.
But more than 1,000 people remain on a waiting list hoping to receiving housing assistance, he said.
The Housing Authority of Snohomish County will receive $2.35 million, enough to help an estimated 366 individuals and families, with 55 targeted for the disabled and 12 for the elderly, said Pete Grodt, associate executive director.
The new allotment of housing vouchers means that 2,700 people in Snohomish County are being helped with housing costs, he said.
Currently, 2,039 individuals and families are on the county housing authority’s waiting list for help.
"It really does make a difference," Grodt said of the impact of the federal allocations on homelessness. "It whittles way at the waiting list" and shortens the wait for help.
The Island County Housing Authority will receive $87,701, enough to assist 15 families or individuals.
You can call Herald Writer Sharon Salyer at 425-339-3486 or send e-mail to salyer@heraldnet.com.
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