Housing Authority maintaining its status quo

Saturday, March 10, 2007

BY JASON MOON, Assistant Editor

Although things have looked rather bleak to Max Johnson lately, he seemed optimistic Thursday.

The Greencastle Housing Authority Executive Director told the five board members at Thursday's Housing Authority meeting that the Section 8 Voucher program currently has 174 leased units.

Johnson said the program also has eight applications out and 17 in process.

"That puts us pretty much right where we need to be," Johnson said Thursday.

Earlier this year, the numbers for the program did not look good to Johnson. In February, Johnson told the BannerGraphic that money the local program receives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had been cut by 3.7 percent from last year's total.

However, Johnson told the board members Thursday that the program was in "good shape."

"We're running in the red but that's good," Johnson said, adding that the program has to use its complete funding or numbers could be reduced in the future.

"We're trying to maintain status quo," he said.

The program is funded for 184 units, but because of the cut in money, Johnson said the program will more than likely fund a total less than that this year.

Johnson said through Thursday, the program was $3,629 in the red

Meanwhile, board president Marge Smith reminded the four board members at Thursday's meeting of the upcoming Friends of the A-Way Home fundraiser.

Smith said the fundraiser, "Friday Night Live," will take place March 16. It is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Live entertainment will be featured at the event, including performances from Tad Robinson, the Covered Bridge Country Chorus and the Fret Set, as well as poetry reading by Joe Heithaus.

She said a cash bar and either silent or live auction was planned to take place between 6-7 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m.

Ticket prices for the event are $25, which includes dessert. There is also a $40 ticket, which includes the dessert and a copy of Robinson's latest CD, "A New Point of View."

Board members Doris McMains and Olufemi Ekulona were not at Thursday's meeting.

In other business, the board:

* Learned that there are approximately 10 people occupying the shelter at the moment.

* Learnd that there are two vacancies at Northview Apartments.

The board meets regularly on the second Thursday of each month. Its next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 12.

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