Inkster Housing Commission Receives RAD Program Support from Department of Housing and Urban Development

INKSTER,– The Inkster Housing Commission is pleased to announce that it received the initial approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a program that will make significant improvements to their public housing.

The program, known as Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), seeks to preserve affordable housing. Public housing across the country needs more than $26 billion in repairs and many public housing agencies do not have enough money to keep units in good condition. RAD provides public housing agencies a way to stabilize, repair or replace properties.

The RAD conversion will be for the Twin Towers complex located at 1900-2000 Inkster Road in

Inkster, Michigan. The aging facility, with one and two bedroom units, will receive a considerable upgrade.

"There are a few additional steps we have to take to officially convert fully to RAD, however this is huge news. Annually, HUD only allows so many public housing units to convert to RAD, so we are thrilled that Inkster Housing Commission was selected," said Aaron Cooper, executive director for the Inkster Housing Commission.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, RAD is a central part of the Department's rental housing preservation strategy, which is designed to:

● Safeguard long-term rental housing assistance for both current tenants and future generations

● Improve and modernize HUD-assisted multifamily properties

● Stabilize these properties by placing them on solid financial footing

"What RAD means in a nutshell is that the Inkster Housing Commission will be able to focus funds on this building for a period of up to 20 years with guaranteed funding from HUD. RAD provides a commitment from HUD for more stable funding at a higher level which in turn allows us to do more for the building and its residents," explained Cooper.

About Inkster Housing Commission

The Inkster Housing Redevelopment Commission (IHRC) was created in 1950 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Initially, the IHRC was a municipal department of the city of Inkster, a small, urban, blue-collar community 20 miles from Detroit. In 2004, IHRC became an independent, self-sustaining, HUD-funded nonprofit agency, following a change in state law which made all housing authorities independent of municipalities.

IHRC is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Inkster, Michigan, to 5-year staggered terms. IHRC's mission is to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing for lower-income persons.

IHRC administers two HUD programs, Public Housing, and the Section 8 Housing Voucher Choice Program (HCVP). IHRC's programs provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The HCVP Program provides rental assistance/subsidies and 751 Section 8 Vouchers for eligible families living in private housing. IHRC provides housing and/or housing assistance to nearly 3,000 persons of whom approximately 1,500 are children under the age of 18.

By promoting personal, economic, and social upward mobility, our residents are encouraged to transition from subsidized to unsubsidized housing in the private sector. http://www.inksterhousing.org

About HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development)

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available at http://www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.