MORGANTOWN — Fairmont Morgantown Housing Authority Executive Director Christal Crouso used to say the mission of the FMHA was not to provide emergency assistance, but a long-term solution for individuals and families facing housing insecurity.
Now, in the wake of COVID-19, it does both.
“Today I’m happy to say that we do offer emergency housing assistance,” Crouso told Morgantown City Council.
She explained that FMHA was one of three agencies in West Virginia given emergency housing vouchers as part of a $5 billion push from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“We received 105 vouchers,” she said, adding. “We have five people we’re working with now, so we’ve got 100 more to spend.”
In order to qualify, an individual must be homeless, at-risk of becoming homeless, recently homeless or fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking. She said emergency situations, like losing housing due to fire or being unexpectedly kicked out of a living situation would also make someone eligible.
FMHA is working on the program with other agencies, like the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, and anyone already in a rapid rehousing program will be a priority for a housing voucher.
“We’re going to be using our program, the emergency voucher program, like a step-up program,” Crouso said, noting FMHA is offering cash incentives to get landlords to take in emergency voucher clients.
The housing authority will also assist with security deposits as well as paying off delinquent utility accounts that may prevent someone from getting into housing.
Applicants must be willing to sign documents and cannot be a registered sex offender, previously convicted of manufacturing meth on federally assisted property or convicted of a violent crime within 12 months of applying.
The emergency voucher program is just one of the initiatives launched by FMHA in 2021.
Crouso said the agency is also working with eight individuals through its new Fostering Youth Independence program.
“This program takes youth that are coming out of foster care, so leaving the state’s program, and allows them to get a housing choice voucher,” she said. “They’re our population most a risk to become homeless.”
The authority also operates a rental assistance program through which eligible households can receive up to 15 months of rent/rental assistance.
The program also provides assistance with utilities and a one-time stipend of up to $300 for Internet services.
“It’s a program that’s taken a while to get off the ground, but it is up and running and we want to help families that have been impacted by COVID and may be at risk,” Crouso said. “The eviction moratorium is set to expire at the end of the month and we’re worried about what’s going to happen to folks who haven’t been able to pay their rent.”
Crouso said she needed council’s help in getting the word out about these opportunities.
“I think it’s very encouraging and very exciting to hear of the new tools you all have to work with, and more help that will be available to the community,” Deputy Mayor Danielle Trumble said.
Additional information about the programs is available at fmhousing.com or by calling. 304-363-0860.
If you believe you may qualify for an emergency housing voucher or would like additional information, call the Coalition to End Homelessness at 833-722-2014.
