Housing officials respond to 6 News report on troubled rental money
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Wednesday night, 6 News published the results of a weeks-long investigation into conflicting standards between Lansing housing laws and federally backed housing voucher inspections.
Through reporting 6 News was able to establish a conflict between city inspections and rental registrations and certifications and federally-funded housing voucher inspections.
Thursday morning, Josh Pugh, external affairs director for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) which oversees the distribution of federal dollars used for housing vouchers, commonly referred to as “Section 8 Housing,” emailed the following statement to 6 News:
Let’s be clear about Housing Choice Vouchers: when individuals and households are approved for vouchers, they are free to take that voucher and live where they like, if it meets the minimum standards set by HUD, meaning the housing the family chooses for itself is safe, decent, and sanitary. We don’t force anyone to live anywhere or stay anywhere. The goal of the Housing Choice Voucher program is that those who benefit from it have the freedom to find a home that meets their needs.
The major issue facing Lansing and every community in our state is a lack of quality, affordable housing stock. Addressing that shortage is the focus of all our efforts at MSHDA.
Regardless of housing choice voucher status with MSHDA or the LHC, if a dwelling does not meet city code and is red tagged, no one can live there. Affordable housing is a partnership between HUD, MSHDA, local housing commissions, landlords, and municipalities.
We understand the unique and pressing circumstances faced by Lansing residents and are committed to a process that does not simply evict people with no plan to keep them sheltered. We have been engaged with City of Lansing leadership on an action plan for people who are impacted by low-quality or uninhabitable homes for over a year and are committed to that work. Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live in the community of their choice. A safe place to call home improves your health and wellbeing, it bolsters education and career outcomes, it keeps us connected to our community and invested in the future.
We will continue to advocate for increased housing supply in every community in Michigan and the resources we need to solve this crisis.
Josh Pugh, director, external affairs, Michigan State Housing Development Authority; email to 6 News June 13, 2024
In addition, a spokeswoman from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development added more concise language to previous communications about whether or not federal rules prohibited agencies from using or taking into account local housing laws in approving the distribution of housing vouchers.
HUD-assisted properties include those receiving a Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher. Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) properties are inspected and approved by a local housing authority, including Lansing Housing Commission and/or MSHDA.
HUD regulations do not prevent a housing commission from refusing to approve a property to participate in the HCV program if it does not meet local building codes or standards.
Ashlee Strong, spokeswoman, HUD; email to 6 News June 13, 2024
In addition to these emails, State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) responded to 6 News’ reporting by text message. The lawmaker has made affordable housing a cornerstone of their legislative work since being elected two years ago.
“This situation reveals we don’t yet have one common definition for what is safe, affordable housing,” they wrote in a text. “We need that as a foundation moving forward.”
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