Over the next few days, about 900 Houston-area families will learn heartbreaking news: that the housing vouchers they thought they had are no longer valid.
The Houston Housing Authority’s voucher program is essentially on hold until the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development finalizes its budget.
“I was on the waiting list for about three and half years,” says Ms. James, who prefers we not use her full name.
She says she was elated when she received a letter last fall informing her that she was approved for an HHA housing voucher.
“I could finally have stability and a place to stay that was my own,” James says.
That elation turned to disappointment when she learned she’d been “restored to the waitlist” due to potential budget cuts.
"I was crushed," James says.
HHA delivered the same news to nearly 900 other Houstonians.
“It’s very uncertain budgetary moment for us,” said Mark Thiele, vice president of HHA’s housing voucher program. “It’s as challenging to predict as it has been in my entire professional career.”
Thiele says Congress is currently considering a “skinny” budget, which includes considerable cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the primary source of HHA’s budget.
“Even fully funded, we can only help a fraction of those families, so we are always trying to help as many as we can,” he says.
The decision to revoke vouchers, Thiele adds, was not an easy one.
“It’s a very trying situation for the families,” he says. “It’s a challenging situation for our staff.”
He says asking voucher recipients such as Ms. James to have patience is also difficult. But, he says, when the funds do become available, HHA will find them a home.
“Next time, we’ll be able to finish the job,” he says.
If you receive HHA vouchers and have any questions about the program, employees say they want to be able to give you answers.
You can call 713-260-0618 or email any concerns to HCVPinfo@housingforhouston.com.