Northern Michigan housing advocates warn of risks as HUD funding policy changes loom скачать в хорошем качестве

Northern Michigan housing advocates warn of risks as HUD funding policy changes loom

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has temporarily paused significant changes to its distribution of federal homelessness funding following a lawsuit filed by multiple state attorney generals, including Michigan's. Local housing advocates emphasized that this pause is merely a delay, with no assurance from HUD to reconsider the proposed changes to the Continuum of Care program. Ashley Halladay-Schmandt is the director of the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness. She's a point person for collaborating with five counties including Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau on funding opportunities to address homelessness, including some of the largest funding opportunities from HUD. “What we had the ability to do before with a 90% renewal rate was really direct that to the greatest need of our region. Our region is very different than large metropolitan areas,” explained Halladay-Schmandt. Halladay-Schmandt said abrupt new policy changes released by HUD are bringing that 90-percent down to 30-percent. In dollars, that's $1.4 million to a little less than $500,000. “That shift could force anywhere from 70 to 100 people locally back onto the streets and into our emergency shelter system. Those are people who have been permanently housed some for years, who rely on case management support and rental subsidies through local organizations. Those grants would be essentially zeroed out, and folks would be at risk of coming back onto the streets,” said Halladay-Schmandt. Halladay-Schmandt explained the proposed HUD policy changes target funding for permanent housing. It's not necessarily a specific complex of housing but rather units scattered across the region where people get help with paying rent. “What’s incredibly disappointing about it is it shifted without knowledge of the providers, right? So, we were all practicing from a notice of funding opportunity approved in 2024. We were practicing to those guidelines that were approved then and now potentially being penalized for doing what we were asked to do by the same federal agency just 12 months ago,” said Halladay-Schmandt. That frustration has also reached lawmakers in Washington. Representative Jack Bergman and Senator Elissa Slotkin both signed letters sent from their respective parties to HUD. “It’s really important to understand that housing is not a partisan issue," said Halladay-Schmandt. "Having resources that are able to meet the needs of your community is not partisan." Halladay-Schmandt said if you want to make your voice heard on this issue, you can reach out to your federal representatives to make sure they don't approve the new policy changes in the final HUD appropriations bill. READ MORE: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/no... -------------------------------- For all of your news, weather and sports needs: http://www.upnorthlive.com Like us on Facebook:   / upnorthlive   Follow us on twitter: @upnorthlive.com Download our app, available for iPhone and Android! #traversecity #localnews #news #video #upnorthlive #michigan