These are two questions we receive the most, and below are the answers we can give.

First, we may not give our where you are on the list because the list changes daily. If you look at our waiting list information online, you will notice we have a local preference, and some categories within that preference. If we receive an application today, it could push your name further down the list. If someone requests we pull their application, you name may go up or down. The number that we give you today, may not be the number we give you next week.

In addition, the number may not tell you anything in regards to when you will get assistance. We have not added any new clientele for some time, and will not until we are below the budgetary level. Once that happens, households will be added one or two at a time. That is IF there isn’t a cut in funding.

Why is it taking so long? We need to get down to our budget level through terminations (voluntary, violations, deaths, moves). Each month we review client files and have noticed more dollars are needed to help our current caseload. Because there was no cost of living adjustment with Social Security, but an increase in rent and utilities, we are using more assistance to support those households. This is making it even more difficult to reach that budget amount.

The U.S. Congress has passed another continuing resolution to fund the federal government until April 8. Several senators commented that this would be the last continuing resolution passed because they want a permanent budget in place.

What does this mean?

Those who are current on housing assistance are okay. HUD has funds to keep things as they are until May. If there is a change, HUD will ask housing authorities to make adjustments as needed. The bulk of the 2011 / 2012 proposed cuts are on the administrative side and we will adjust our business model to continue services.

If a person utilizes services from social security, food stamps, heating assistance, and other programs please keep an eye on what the federal government does. Proposed cuts to Community Action and other programs will have an impact in our area. Until we know the final numbers, we cannot properly budget.