Weatherford Housing Authority outlines Section 8 voucher numbers, governance changes and new website to council
May 28, 2024 | Weatherford, Parker County, Texas
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Weatherford Housing Authority briefed the Weatherford City Council on recent governance changes, program statistics and a new public website during the council meeting.
Cherry Hughes, representing the authority, told the council the agency administers the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for households earning 30% or less of the area median income. "Weatherford Housing Authority is a Section 8 housing choice rental assistance program," Hughes said, explaining that the area's AMI is $95,720 (for a three-person household) and that the 30% threshold equates to about $28,715 annually. He contrasted that with a reported median rent in Parker County of $1,291, saying many households do not earn enough to meet local median rents.
Hughes provided several program figures the authority uses in budgeting and planning: HUD-funded rent assistance to the authority for 2023–24 totaled $3,806,733; the authority averages 461 vouchers in use per month while it is authorized for 541 vouchers but “we just don't have the money to cover all of those,” Hughes said. He said the average subsidy per voucher is $687 and that administrative fee revenue for staff functions is about $420,000.
April Lipla, introduced as principal of Bridal Elementary in Weatherford ISD and serving on the housing authority board, outlined internal reforms adopted over the past year. The board approved hiring legal counsel and training on open-records requirements, expanded the board from five to seven members, changed CPA firms for auditing and bookkeeping, and adopted an updated vision and mission for the authority.
Lipla also demonstrated the authority's redesigned website, which now includes online application forms, contact information, a resource directory and a news page for meeting notices and minutes. "Now you can do that online. You can also print these forms off as well," Lipla said, noting the site makes information easier for applicants to access.
Mayor Merrick and several council members thanked the authority for its work and the improved public access to resources. The presentation closed without a council action on the item; the briefing was informational.
What happens next: The authority said it will continue outreach and post meeting minutes and updates on the new website. No further council direction or formal action on housing policy was recorded at the meeting.
Cherry Hughes, representing the authority, told the council the agency administers the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for households earning 30% or less of the area median income. "Weatherford Housing Authority is a Section 8 housing choice rental assistance program," Hughes said, explaining that the area's AMI is $95,720 (for a three-person household) and that the 30% threshold equates to about $28,715 annually. He contrasted that with a reported median rent in Parker County of $1,291, saying many households do not earn enough to meet local median rents.
Hughes provided several program figures the authority uses in budgeting and planning: HUD-funded rent assistance to the authority for 2023–24 totaled $3,806,733; the authority averages 461 vouchers in use per month while it is authorized for 541 vouchers but “we just don't have the money to cover all of those,” Hughes said. He said the average subsidy per voucher is $687 and that administrative fee revenue for staff functions is about $420,000.
April Lipla, introduced as principal of Bridal Elementary in Weatherford ISD and serving on the housing authority board, outlined internal reforms adopted over the past year. The board approved hiring legal counsel and training on open-records requirements, expanded the board from five to seven members, changed CPA firms for auditing and bookkeeping, and adopted an updated vision and mission for the authority.
Lipla also demonstrated the authority's redesigned website, which now includes online application forms, contact information, a resource directory and a news page for meeting notices and minutes. "Now you can do that online. You can also print these forms off as well," Lipla said, noting the site makes information easier for applicants to access.
Mayor Merrick and several council members thanked the authority for its work and the improved public access to resources. The presentation closed without a council action on the item; the briefing was informational.
What happens next: The authority said it will continue outreach and post meeting minutes and updates on the new website. No further council direction or formal action on housing policy was recorded at the meeting.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
