Yeah, the vacancy rate is about 2%, affordable (or any) housing is impossible to obtain and so lets make it harder to get into public housing – housing of last resort for many on fixed incomes. You can’t make this shit up.
They already have this list of reasons for denial to their 766 units listed on their website:
Reasons for denial may include, but are not limited, to:
– State sex offender registration requirement
– Previous eviction from federally subsidized housing
– Illegal use of drugs
– History of alcohol abuse that interferes with the right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by others
– Drug-related criminal activity
– Criminal activity
– Inability to meet financial obligations, including rent
– Eviction filings and judgments
– Negative behavior and a record of disturbances to neighbors
– Lease violations
– Poor housekeeping habits
– Debts to any federal Housing Authority
– Owing money to a landlord
– Failure to disclose Social Security numbers for all family members
– Failure to sign required consent forms
Stealing this from someone else’s action alert:
Agenda and attachments for the Wednesday, February 13th (4:30) CDA Housing Operations Subcommittee meeting are here.
Their rigid screening criteria will continue to make it nearly impossible for homeless folks to get housing. And certain proposals will make it even more difficult. They do not use their discretion and screen out families the public housing programs were intended to benefit. Please come or email them with your comments. And please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Some (but not all) of my concerns:
– Denying people for OLD criminal cases if they still owe money to court.
– Denying people for criminal activity even when they haven’t been convicted or even charged with a crime (arrests, civil ordinance violations, drug paraphernalia charges).
– Denying people for bad credit and old landlord debts regardless of ability to pay or if debt is disputed.
– Removing wait list preferences for Victims of Domestic Violence and Homeless Persons.– Drastic and paternalistic limitations (reduced stays, notice requirements) on ability of residents to have guests.
– Prohibiting previously evicted residents from being overnight guests.
– Banning residents guests without giving resident grievance hearing.
– Requirement that residents pay maintenance and utility charges within 14 days regardless of ability to pay.
I didn’t read the 400+ page document, and it appears they were hoping others wouldn’t either.
WTF? Is this really Madison?
Yeah, that’s our plans for the public housing in this town that already has hideous waiting lists . . . so lets make it even harder to get in! Hell, we better start creating more shelter beds with longer limits on staying there, or the city and county are going to have people camping all over the place illegally because it will be the only option left for even more people.
If you’ve forgotten, here’s the current waiting lists that homeless people face in trying to get into this housing of last resort for many . . .
Effective 6/8/2012
Estimated wait times for Public Housing programs:1-Bedroom Unit (Disabled Designations) = 12+ Months
1-Bedroom Unit (Age 62 or older Designations) = 3 – 6 Months
1-Bedroom Unit (Age 50-61, no disability) = 12+ Months
1-Bedroom Unit (No Designation) = Indefinite wait time
2-Bedroom Unit = 1-2 Years
3-Bedroom Unit = 1-2 Years
4-Bedroom Unit = 1-2 Years
5-Bedroom Unit = 1-2 YearsThe above wait times are most accurate if city preference has been verified. Wait times are driven by vacancies and are estimated based on previous vacancy rates.
These estimated wait times are most accurate for applicants who provide documentation that they live, work, or go to school in the City of Madison. Applicants will be notified by mail when the CDA is ready to screen their application.
Waiting list applicants are required to report changes, in writing, of mailing address, phone number, gross monthly income, and family composition.
Think this is all crazy . . . email any and all of the following.
Mayor – psoglin@cityofmadison.com
Alders – allalders@cityofmadison.com
CDA staff – SCover@cityofmadison.com, NErdman@cityofmadison.com, aolvera@cityofmadison.com
Ask them to share with the committee. The staff are the Director of Planning, Community and Economic Development (Steven Cover), the Director of the CDA (Natalie Erdman) and the Director of Housing (Augie Olvera).
And, as always, include your address so they know that your voice matters to them – i.e. you vote in the city.
