NI ReACH is pleased to share that both Boone County Housing Authority and Winnebago County Housing Authority were awarded 40 Mainstream vouchers each from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mainstream vouchers are targeted to homeless families with disabled persons under the age of 62. With the possibility that these families could be homeless once the COVID-19 eviction moratorium ends, funding helps them stay housed, relieves the administrative burden on the courts, and helps landlords continue leasing their homes and start regaining revenue. This protects against potential homelessness and further economic harm for our communities.
Boone County Housing Authority was awarded 40 Mainstream vouchers for an annual $265,920 funding and the Winnebago County Housing Authority was awarded 40 Mainstream vouchers for an annual $270,466. WCHA currently has a 64 Mainstream voucher program, so this increases the WCHA program to 104 total families served with $665,083 annual funding. This is the first time that Boone County has received this program. It increases the amount of families served by about 30% for Boone County, which will be a significant impact to protect against homelessness, evictions and economic harm to landlords.
