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Government

Public Housing Demand High While Buildings Need Repairs

Michelle O'Neill
/
WVIK News

After six years, the Rock Island Housing Authority once again accepted applications for low income housing.

Yesterday, Executive Director Susan Anderson arrived at work where a line of applicants stretched down the block and around a corner. Some of them currently live in their cars, while others live with family or friends.

But, Anderson says the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, has cut the authority's funding by at least ten percent over the last five or six years. At the same time, public housing complexes across the country are aging and need major repairs.

HUD responded with a new program called Rental Assistance Demonstration, or RAD.

Credit RIHA website / Rock Island Housing Authority
/
Rock Island Housing Authority
Lincoln Homes

Anderson says her agency is exploring RAD for Lincoln Homes. The Rock Island Housing Authority's fundraising arm is a non-profit called Community Housing Services.

Yesterday, 700 people filled out applications for low income housing. And she doesn't expect HUD to increase the authority's funding anytime soon. 

Government
Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
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