Housing Commission
82 Ionia Ave NW, Suite 390
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3036
Phone: (616) 632-7400
Fax: (616) 632-7405
Mission Statement
To eliminate housing conditions which are detrimental to the public peace,
health, safety and/or welfare, principally for the
benefit of persons of low income.
Overview
The Kent County Housing Commission provides rental assistance to extremely-low and very-low income families. The Commission issues and administers Section 8 Housing Choice Rental Assistance Vouchers provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. After qualifying applicants for the program, Commission staff educates and prepares applicants, assists voucher holders with locating suitable housing, inspects rental units, and reviews lease agreements. They also provide education about the need for affordable housing to property owners and communities, facilitate the construction of new housing, and work with other housing providers in Kent County.
As a part of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, the Housing Commission also operates a Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. FSS aims to move participants from welfare to work by helping families identify barriers to employment and set goals (with time-frames) detailing the steps that families will take to obtain the assistance needed to acquire and retain employment.
Strategic Goals
- Maintain/enhance partnerships and relationships that support the mission of Kent County government
- Diversify sources of revenue.
Operational Goals
- Provide safe, affordable and decent rental units for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher clients
- Move participating families from welfare to work (Mandated by HUD)
2010 Adopted Uses: $2,512,910
2010 Adopted Revenues: $2,512,910
Selected Performance Measures
| Uses |
2007 Actual |
2008 Actual |
2009 Adopted |
2010 Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of clients enrolled in educational programs | 15.00% | 19.00% | 18.00% | 15.00% |
| Percent of participants in (slots full) programs | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Percentage of individuals attending financial literacy classes | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00% |
| Percentage of those attending Homeownership classes | 5.00% | 5.00% | 5.00% | 5.00% |
| Administered voucher percentage | 95.00% | 96.00% | 97.00% | 100.00% |
| Percentage of income verification | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Percentage of score for indicator completion | 105.00% | 103.00% | 103.00% | 100.00% |
Department History of Uses
| Uses | 2007 Actual |
2008 Actual |
2009 Adopted |
2010 Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | $228,559 | $248,458 | $254,963 | $262,681 |
| Commodities | 2,363 | 4,747 | - | - |
| Contractual | 3,019,347 | 3,096,789 | 2,257,947 | 2,250,229 |
| Operating Capital | 4,216 | 1,353 | - | - |
| Total Uses | $3,254,485 | $3,351,347 | $2,512,910 | $2,512,910 |
| Personnel FTE | 3
|
3 |
3 |
3 |
Significant Budget Issues
The Shelter Plus Care budget, beginning in 2009, was accounted for in the
Community Development budget; prior
years were accounted for in the Housing Commission budget.
History of Uses (in millions)
