January 29, 2024 |
Photo – Office of local apartment complex – Bigfoot99 file photo
Rawlins will continue to provide Section 8 housing in the city through a partnership with the Cheyenne Housing Authority.
During the January 16th Rawlins city council meeting, the board voted to renew its contract with the Cheyenne Housing Authority to participate in the Section 8 Rentals Certificate Program for another year.
The Cheyenne Housing Authority is a public agency that provides housing assistance to low-income families, seniors, and the disabled. Qualified applicants receive a voucher that covers the difference between the rent charged by a landlord and the amount that the household can afford to pay, based on their income and family size. Generally, the voucher holder pays 30% of their monthly adjusted gross income for rent and utilities, and the voucher covers the rest.
To qualify for Section 8 housing in Rawlins, a family of four must have a household income of no more than $34,500, which is 50% of the area median income of Carbon County.
Documents provided by the city of Rawlins say that 13 residents are currently on the Section 8 Rentals Certificate Program.
At the January 16th meeting, Councilwoman Jacquelin Wells motioned to renew the city’s contract with the Cheyenne Housing Authority until January of 2025. Councilwoman Tonya Lewman seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
According to a city staff analysis of the Cheyenne Housing Authority contract, Rawlins is not fully reimbursed for staff time spent in administering the housing program. However, the health and safety benefits of providing this program to the community justifies the financial cost. Rawlins city staff said they support the continuation of this “vital program.”
