WHA to offer vouchers to 500 additional families.

• Author: Petrishen, Brad
• Position: Local

Byline: Brad Petrishen

WORCESTER -- The Worcester Housing Authority began a process Tuesday that will result in the awarding of 500 additional Section 8 vouchers for families on its lengthy waiting list.

"We need as many landlords in the Greater Worcester area to become our partners (as possible),'' WHA Executive Director Raymond V. Mariano said in a news release announcing a meeting with area landlords that was to be held Tuesday.

The meeting was called after the WHA received 500 additional Section 8 housing vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The vouchers were provided as a result of a "Rental Assistance Demonstration'' program at Lincoln Village, which is one of the largest federally subsidized multifamily properties in the state.

"After all of the families eligible at Lincoln Village have been processed, the WHA will have 500-plus vouchers to issue to applicants on its current waiting list,'' the release states.

The WHA currently has 10,650 applicants on its waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers. The vouchers are used as lease payments that allow families to afford to live in properties not owned by the government.

During a typical year, the WHA offers 185 such vouchers to families on the waiting list, the release states.

"This is great news for the families who have waited so very long for assistance,'' Mr. Mariano said, noting that some homeless families in line for housing have been waiting for 41/2 years.

Mr. Mariano said WHA hasn't had such a large increase in vouchers in decades.

"Our staff will be working hundreds of overtime hours at night and on weekends to get the applicants...