GHA program still in positive For the second straight month, the housing voucher program through Greencas-tle Housing Authority exceeded its monthly financial limit but the program remains in the black six months into 2006

Monday, June 12, 2006

GHA program still in positive

For the second straight month, the housing voucher program through Greencas-tle Housing Authority exceeded its monthly financial limit but the program remains in the black six months into 2006.

The voucher program received $46,598 in funding for June, but used $47,207, $609 more than it was allotted.

Still, GHA Executive Director Max Johnson told the four board members at Thursday's meeting that the program is in much better shape than it was at this time last year.

"Money-wise, we're just right where we want to be," Johnson told the board members. "We're in good shape. We're right on target."

Through the first six months of this year, the program has a difference of $1,795. Through Thursday, the program had 181 units, three less than last month.

Johnson said there were eight more vouchers out and 21 in process. He expected another six in the coming days.

In January, the program had 173 units being used, but the numbers have steadily increased since February. The voucher program is set up for 184 total units.

"It looks like we can consistently do about 179 (vouchers) at our current funding," Johnson said.

Johnson projected the program would receive $46,707.33 each month from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

However, funding has been sporadic. The program received $46,049 in January and February but tallied $50,109 in April. In March, May and June, the program has received $46,598.

Meanwhile, Johnson told the board there were nine adults and six children currently occupying the A-Way Home Shelter.

He said the shelter is also in better shape this year than it was last year.

"Money-wise, we're very close to making it in the black," Johnson said. "But we're going to be real close. We just don't know. We'll have to wait and see."

In other business, the board:

-- Set up an executive session for 6 p.m. Tuesday. The board also scheduled a special session for 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.

-- Learned from Johnson that there was one current vacancy at Northview Apartments.

-- Unanimously approv-ed expenses for June.

-- Approved Johnson to purchase computers for GHA at a price not to exceed $2,000 per unit.

The board meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month. Its next scheduled monthly meeting is set for 7 p.m. July 13.

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