May 6, 2004

WASHINGTON – Sometimes it helps to have friends in high places. Alarm bells went off at the Fond du Lac Housing Authority in late February when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) told the Housing Authority that it would receive only 40% of the federal voucher funds that it had been expecting.

The voucher program currently helps 430 local families pay their rent, using funds provided by HUD under the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The Housing Authority had been expecting $133,400 to pay for April's vouchers, but only $53,400 arrived.

Letters and calls flew back and forth between local officials and HUD, and the officials and participating landlords. In early May the Housing Authority and a landlords' representative both contacted Rep. Petri's office to seek assistance. Petri's office contacted HUD, and on May 5 was promised that the Housing Authority would have its money by May 7.

"Apparently, the Fond du Lac Housing Authority had taken over responsibility for a large number of families from another agency in the area, but HUD hadn't reflected that in its payment," said Petri. "I'm sure the whole thing would have been solved eventually, but my involvement may have speeded the resolution."