This week’s featured question was submitted for Merrill Area Housing Authority (MAHA) Executive Director Paul Russell.
The question reads:
“From what I understand the new stone bridge place will help with a waiting list for people who need affordable housing, but I’m curious how does someone apply to be on the list? What are the rules for applying for public assistance and housing? I’m guessing it has a lot to do with income, but what are the cut offs? Is the list only open to families or can single people apply too? Are there any age limits? Any information you could give would be great, thanks.”
Answer as given by Russell:
“The addition of the Stonebridge Apartments was put in motion to allow for the renovation of the 7-story Park Place Apartment building, and add an additional six, 2-bedroom apartments. There will be no increase in the number of apartments when the project is completed. The new 38 units at Stonebridge were necessary to allow for the increase in square footage of the apartments at Park Place, that will go from 92 to 54 units. Income limits are published annually by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for each county in every state. The standard categories of income eligibility are fair market rent, low income (80%), very low income (50%) and extremely low income (30%). Additional details can be found on the MAHA or HUD websites.
“Applications are available at Park Place, Jenny Towers, Stonebridge and the MAHA Main Office (215 Grand Avenue) as well as our website, www.merrillha.com. When completed and returned, the applicant will be added to our waiting list and then a background check will be performed to determine if they remain on the list. All applicants are screened prior to acceptance based on the Tenant Selection Plan and Adjusted Income Limits we provide on our website, or by calling one of our offices and requesting information. Stonebridge is part of the Section 8 Multifamily/PBRA affordable housing program and provide clean, safe and maintenance free housing to individuals age 18 and older, persons with disabilities and families.
Please let me know if you need any further information.”
Have a question or concern you would like to address? Simply send your question or concern to [email protected] along with an indication of which entity your question or concern pertains to. Current participants are the Merrill Police Department, Merrill Fire Department, Tomahawk Police Department, Merrill City Administrator Dave Johnson, Merrill Area Housing Authority Director Paul Russell, Lincoln County Clerk Chris Marlowe, Lincoln County Administrative Coordinator Jason Hake, Lincoln County Forestry Land and Parks Director Kevin Kleinschmidt, Local DNR Conservation Warden Curt Butler and Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) Superintendent Dr. John Sample. Please note: Those who submit to the ‘Ask an Official’ feature remain anonymous.