01-12-1977 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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M E T R 0 P 0 L I T A N C O U N C I L Suite 300 Metro Square Building, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101 291 -6359 • METROPOLITAN COUNCIL HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SECTION 8 RENT ASSISTANCE How Can a Community Join Metro HRA? - The local City Council must pass a resolution authorizing Metro HRA to apply for federal housing funds on behalf of the community. - If the community has a Housing Authority, the Housing Authority must also approve joining the Metro HRA program. - In order to operate this program successfully, the community should have an adequate supply of rental housing within or near the rent limits shown in the program brochure. How Does the Rent Assistance Program Operate? At present, Metro HRA has 43 member communities in the Rent Assistance Program. Lower - income families and the elderly seeking assistance can apply at a local office in any one of the communities. There are also application offices in Min- neapolis and St. Paul. Many of the 43 member communities provide their own staff at their local offices. Metro HRA provides training for this staff. Most or all of the costs for these services are reimbursed out of federal funds received by Metro HRA. In some member communities, Metro HRA provides staff to work part -time at the local offices. In all cases, Metro HRA handles certain duties such as applications to HUD, bookkeeping and accounting functions and contract administra- tion. Also in almost all cases, local office space is provided to serve the needs of applicants, and local inspectors are used to inspect rental units to be subsidized under the program. What Advantages are There for a Community Joining Metro HRA for this Program? - This is a scattered -site housing program designed to avoid concentrations of low- income housing. - All property remains privately -owned and on the tax rolls. - This program offers you an opportunity to assist lower- income families and the elderly in your own community. 001