For immediate release
For more information, contact
Donald Keeney
or
Caitlin Jones
ST. JAMES—The Phelps County Public Housing Agency is looking to expand its pool of potential landlords who are willing to rent to clients on the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a major federal government program, helping very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single family homes, manufactured homes, townhouses and apartments. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program.
All units must meet the HUD Housing Quality Standards, and landlords must be willing to meet those standards when they rent to housing clients. The 13 areas covered by HUD Housing Quality Standards are sanitary facilities, food preparation and refuse, space and security, thermal environment, illumination and electricity, structure and materials, interior air quality, water supply, lead-based paint, access, site and neighborhood, sanitary conditions and smoke detectors. Additionally, rental rates must fall within HUD Fair Market Rents, which is based on bedroom numbers and the county where unit is located.
Recently, the Housing Advisory Board approved an increase to its payment standards for one- and two-bedroom units, effective immediately for new contracts. Existing contracts will be increased at renewal.
“With the limited availability of housing, it is important that we give our clients a bit more flexibility in finding a unit,” Housing Program Manager Donald Keeney said. “Additionally, landlords who are not currently on our program may now want to work with our program because our rental payments are more competitive.”
Landlords wishing to be included on the PHA landlord list should contact the Phelps County PHA at 573-265-4200 or by email at pha@meramecregion.org.
Landlords wishing to learn more about leasing to HUD clients can visit www.meramecregion.org/mrpc-programs-and-services/phelps-county-pha/ or email Keeney at dkeeney@meramecregion.org.
MRPC provides staffing to the Phelps County Public Housing Agency that provides rental assistance to some 750 low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city limits of Rolla) and Washington counties. The PHA also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency Program where housing clients develop a goal-oriented, five-year plan that moves them toward self-sufficiency and independence from government programs. Phelps County Presiding Commissioner Randy Verkamp serves as chairman of the Phelps County PHA.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 33 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.
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