Pocatello (Ida.) Housing Authority: Capital Funds Keep Our Public Housing “in Great Shape”
As the House and the Senate work on an omnibus spending package for FY 2018, they do so in the shadow of the White House proposed budget for FY 2019, which includes an 18.3 percent cut for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This budget also eliminates the Public Housing Capital Fund (funded at $4.5 billion in 2016) and cuts $1.93 billion from the Public Housing Operating Fund (a 44 percent decrease). These devastating cuts to public housing, which provides affordable homes to 2.1 million low-income Americans, would harm communities nationwide.
The Pocatello Housing Authority, which was recently re-christened Housing Alliance and Community Partnerships, has 72 public housing units. “Our public housing residents are all elderly and disabled, and are on fixed incomes, which in turn results in very fixed rents,” explains Executive Director Sunny Shaw. “On average, they pay $186/month in rent.”
“The building needs a new roof, which would cost around $150,000 – and which we could never afford with just the rent we collect,” Shaw said. “Our public housing is in great shape, thanks to continued Capital Fund dollars. Without that money, we wouldn’t be able to maintain these homes in the same standard we pride ourselves for continually achieving.”
NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman said, “It is difficult to comprehend how out of touch this budget is with the realities of immediate housing needs. We now look to the Congress to craft a realistic budget that addresses the immediate needs that face Pocatello and other communities nationwide.”
About NAHRO
NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of almost 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.
Contact: Sylvia Gimenez