In 2011, lawmakers passed a bill that was supposed to make it easier for low-income families, senior citizens and disabled residents to apply for housing vouchers in Salt Lake, Weber and Utah counties.
But more than a year later, the housing agencies still haven’t come up with the one-stop, uniform online application forms required by the new law — and Rep. Gage Froerer, R-Huntsville and sponsor of HB489, asked officials last week to explain why to the Workforce Services Interim Committee.
In Salt Lake County, for example, someone in need of housing help still has to file separate applications with the Housing Authority of the County of Salt Lake, the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City and West Valley City Housing Authority.
West Valley City’s application is 19 pages long and asks questions about everything from income and expenses to credit and criminal history. The county uses a two-page form to gather essentially the same information, while Salt Lake City has a four-page form.
Many applicants rely on public transportation and don’t have access to computers; having to travel from place to place to fill out applications is a hardship, Froerer said.
Housing officials attribute the delay to cost, technical challenges and a misunderstanding about what was required by the new law. One even questions the need given thousands of people are already on housing lists and face waits of up to five years. Salt Lake Tribune
