Johnstown Housing Authority executive director, Michael Alberts says they will need more money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, if they are to issue more of their 960 tenant based housing vouchers.
These are a part of the organizations section 8 rental assistance program.
Alberts tells me the vouchers are used to help family pay rent with independent landlords who decide to participate.
“While we manage 960 vouchers, that doesn’t mean we just get unlimited funds from HUD to lease up 960 people. So, we get to a point where there’s not enough money coming in from HUD to pay landlords their share of the rent.”
Officials from Johnstown housing authority say financial strain for the program stems from HUD “cutting down” their housing assistance programs.
Alberts says JHA currently has 835 of their 960 section 8 vouchers claimed.
He tells me this is down 4% from the beginning of the year.
“With not issuing vouchers, you have less move-ins. And as people leave the program we’re getting to a new stable place where it’s more affordable.”
Alberts says. He says the housing authority will continue to monitor their resources in hopes to assist new inquiries around the start of 2025.