Memphis Housing Authority opens voucher applications: what you need to know
By:
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Applications for project-based housing vouchers from the Memphis Housing Authority are open until Friday. Applications can only be submitted online.
That didn’t stop a long line of people from showing up at the agency’s headquarters Monday morning. They weren’t able to get in because the building is closed for construction.
“They’ve got everyone on a waiting list, but they ain’t doing nothing,” Herbert Winfrey, Jr. told FOX13 while waiting in line. “I’ve been on there a year. That’s why I came here today, to find out what’s going on. My concern is about today.”
The housing authority advertised open applications in a Facebook post, which it later updated to clarify that applications were online-only.
“Cause everybody’s not familiar with the computer and everything, you know?” Winfrey said.
“People need it, so there’s definitely a demand all year long, all year round,” Jamaal Williams with the Memphis Housing Authority said. “Now that it’s open, people are excited.”
Williams, who is the deputy director of housing choice vouchers at MHA, said there’s a long road ahead after applying and vouchers aren’t guaranteed to everyone. Thousands are expected to apply, but only around 500 units are expected to be available.
Once applications close, Williams and his team will sift through for eligible people and families, then put them on a waitlist. After that, some are randomly selected to receive vouchers. The rest will remain on the waitlist until more units open up, which could take years.
“People are excited, people are anxious, and we just want to make sure that they can get on the waitlist and see if their name can get pulled,” Williams said.
Units are available at 11 different complexes. Those who are interested can apply here.
MHA says the waitlist will be for following 11 sites:
- CLEABORN POINT AT HERITAGE LANDING SENIOR – Senior housing community located at 440 South Lauderdale Street. Unit size: 1 bedroom. Qualification: Elderly only.
- CLEABORN POINT AT HERITAGE LANDING – Family housing community located at 440 South Lauderdale Street. Unit size: 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
- LEGENDS PARK SENIOR – Senior housing community located at 198 North Pauline Street. Unit size: 1 bedroom. Qualification: Elderly only.
- MASON HOMES – Family housing community located at 900 South 4th Street. Unit size: 2, 3 and 4 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
- COLLEGE PARK – Family housing community located at 838 Walker Avenue. Unit size: 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
- UPTOWN HOMES – Family housing community located on North 7th Street & Looney Street. Unit size: 3 and 4 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
- ASKEW PLACE – Family housing community located 651 Como Drive. Unit size: 3 and 4 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
- BARRY TOWERS – Family housing community located at 255 N Lauderdale Street. Unit size: 0 and 1 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
- JEFFERSON SQUARE – Family housing community located at 741 Jefferson Avenue. Unit size: 0 , 1 and 2 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
- BORDA TOWERS – Family housing community located at 21 Neely Street. Unit size: 0, 1 and 2 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
- VENSON CENTER – Family housing community located at 439 Beale Street. Unit size: 0, 1 and 2 bedroom. Qualification: Family.
The applications are online-only and will be available until 5 p.m. Friday, July 18.
Applicants living with a disability is asked to call 901-544-1347 for help, while applicants with hearing or speech disabilities who use TDD or TTY technology can call Tennessee Relay Services at 711 for assistance.
About Post Author
