Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Housing Commission reports closed voucher waiting list, 16 leased vouchers and potential $1.4M CDBG funding to pursue local homeowner programs
Summary
Munising’s Housing Commission summarized its public housing inventory, said the voucher waiting list is closed with 16 vouchers currently leased, and discussed up to $1.4 million in neighborhood CDBG funds and the potential to partner with Community Action Marquette for program administration.
A Housing Commission representative updated the Planning Commission on local public-housing inventory and voucher-program constraints. The representative said the agency owns 74 public housing units (58 one-bedroom, six two-bedroom, 12 three-bedroom) and reported waiting-list counts of roughly 21 one-bedroom, five two-bedroom and three three-bedroom applicants; staff said the voucher waiting list is closed due to limited funding from the Detroit field office.
Staff reported 28 vouchers allocated for use in the county area but that only 16 vouchers are currently leased. Commissioners and staff discussed limited landlord participation and how management of a private apartment complex has helped keep voucher usage higher than it might otherwise be.
Commissioners explored funding tools to support housing initiatives. Staff noted about $1.4 million remains available in a neighborhood CDBG allocation and described eligibility constraints (projects must generally start within two years and target households at about 60%–120% AMI, with at least 20% at or below 60% AMI for some programs). Staff suggested partnering with Community Action Marquette to administer income verification and program delivery; Michelle Ley was identified in the discussion as Community Action Marquette’s executive director and a potential partner for outreach or administration.
Staff said Community Action and other local partners could help with outreach, income reviews and program administration, and suggested using water-bill inserts, social media, and chamber distribution to reach eligible residents. Commissioners encouraged targeted outreach to ensure residents know about homeowner-repair and utility-assistance programs.
Next steps: staff will follow up with Community Action Marquette and explore program packaging for available CDBG funds and other funding sources. Detailed program designs and eligibility guidelines were not finalized during the meeting.
