Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program represents the federal government’s primary program for the provision of decent, safe, affordable housing for low income families, the elderly and the disabled. The precursor of this program was the Section 8 Rental Voucher Program authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Participants in the program are assisted in privately owned rental units. The portion of the rent determined to be beyond the participant’s ability to pay is paid directly to the owner of the rental unit. The rental unit must meet housing quality standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Authority began the administration of this program in 1988 with an allocation of twenty-four (24) Rental Vouchers. The program’s portfolio now includes 331 Housing Choice Vouchers under contract. In FY 2003, 1088 individuals participated in this program; housing assistance payments to local landlords totaled $1,020,054.00.

Supportive Housing Program
The Supportive Housing Program was authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. It is designed, as a part of the Continuum of Care Strategy, to promote the development of housing and supportive services to assist homeless disabled persons in their transition from streets and shelters to permanent housing and maximum self-sufficiency. In FY 2001, the Authority was awarded $489,078.00 through this program to develop a six (6) unit supportive living facility. Plans and specifications were developed by local architect Robert Boucheron. Construction bids were solicited and Thor, Incorporated was awarded the construction contract in early 2003. The Authority entered into a cooperative agreement with the Valley Community Services Board for the provision of the program’s supportive services component. The provision of such services seeks to ensure that residents reach their maximum self-sufficiency potential. The facility is scheduled to open in the summer of 2004.