When the US Department of Housing and Urban Development recently made funding available for local efforts to combat homelessness for a segment of society in need, a local agency was included.
HUD has awarded $131.3 million to 325 local public housing authorities across the country to provide affordable housing to approximately 15,363 additional non-elderly persons with disabilities. Secretary Ben Carson made the national announcement during a recent visit to Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit Housing Commission received $597,629 to serve the residents in their community living with disabilities.
In Ohio, the voucher awards included one to the Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (MHA), which received an award of $73,464 for 25 vouchers. Two neighboring counties were also awarded monies for the same number of vouchers. The Crawford MHA received $100,542 and the Knox MHA received $108,276.
This housing assistance is provided through HUD’s Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program which provides funding to housing agencies to assist non-elderly persons with disabilities particularly those who are:
- Transitioning out of institutional or other separated settings at serious risk of institutionalization
- Currently experiencing homelessness
- Previously experienced homelessness and currently a client in a permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing project
- At risk of becoming homeless
According to its website, the mission of the Mansfield MHA is quite simple – To promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment free from discrimination.
The Authority is governed by a five-member governing board. Two members of the board are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Mansfield, one by the Richland County Commissioners, and one each by the Richland County Probate Court Judge and the Common Pleas Judges of Richland County. Pursuant to federal law, at least one member of the authority board must be a program participant (tenant).
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