Are people experiencing homelessness in your community eligible for public housing? Do they get priority on the waiting list? Have you seen your local housing authority’s five-year plan? Did you help write it?
Until 1998, HUD was the primary decision-maker for who would get into public housing, what improvements would be made, what units would be targeted for demolition, whether residents would have access to training programs, and other policies that affect the daily lives of public housing residents.
The 1998 Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) shifted those decisions to local public housing authorities and required public input. The next five year cycle begins in 2005 and the plans are being drafted right now. Read simple step by step instructions to review your PHA’s 5 year plan at www.mnhomelesscoalition.org.
For more information contact Liz Kuoppala.