Public Housing ACOP

1-II.A. OVERVIEW AND HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM
The intent of this section is to provide the public and staff an overview of the history and operation of public housing.
The United States Housing Act of 1937 (the Act) is responsible for the birth of federal housing program initiatives, known as public housing. The Act was intended to provide financial assistance to states and cities for public works projects, slum clearance and the development of affordable housing for low-income residents. There have been many changes to the program since its inception in 1937.
The Housing Act of 1965 established the availability of federal assistance, administered through local public agencies, to provide rehabilitation grants for home repairs and rehabilitation. This act also created the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Housing Act of 1969 created an operating subsidy for the public housing program for the first time. Until that time, public housing was a self-sustaining program.

Housing Choice Voucher

1-II.A. OVERVIEW AND HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM
The intent of this section is to provide the public and staff with information related to the overall operation of the program. There have been many changes to the program since its inception in 1974 and a brief history of the program will assist the audience in understanding the program.

The United States Housing Act of 1937 (the Act) is responsible for the birth of federal housing program initiatives. The Act was intended to provide financial assistance to states and cities for public works projects, slum clearance and the development of affordable housing developments for low-income residents.

The Housing and Community Development (HCD) Act of 1974 created a new federally assisted housing program the Section 8 Existing program (also known as the Section 8 Certificate program). The HCD Act represented a significant shift in federal housing strategy from locally owned public housing to privately owned rental housing.

Hope IV

In January 2008, the HOPE VI Project will begin its fourth year. The Benton Harbor Housing Commission undertook a tremendous responsibility in accepting the HOPE VI award, an award that totaled about $15,947.404 in federal grant money. The award was given to revitalize the Whitfield I housing development and to build new houses in the city of Benton Harbor. What started as a dream for some staff of the Housing Commission, business and community leaders of Benton Harbor, residents and others, has finally come into fruition. What some folks thought would never happen, has finally become a reality. Through the partnership of Benton Housing Commission, Cornerstone Alliance and Star Development, seventy houses were constructed in the Benton Harbor community and to date, all the homes are occupied. These houses are located predominantly in the southwest section of Benton Harbor.
In July of 2006, the HOPE VI Project began taking applications from individuals interested in residing in one of the new homes. Over three hundred applications were submitted and processed by the Keystone management office.

Important Phone Numbers

The Benton Harbor Housing Commission now has a dedicated Complaint Line

You can voice your concerns by calling

(269) 927-1741

Police or Fire Emergency
****911*****

City of Benton Harbor
(269) 927-8400

Benton Harbor Area Schools
(269) 605-1000

Benton Harbor Library
(269) 926-6139

Benton Harbor
Water Department
(269) 934-7638

Michigan Gas Utilities
(800) 401-6402

Berrien County Health Department
(269) 926-7121

Lakeland Medical Center
(269)983-8300


Department of Human Services

(269) 934-2000

Social Security Administration
(269) 926-1856

Southwest Community Action Agency
(269) 925-9077

Salvation Army
(269) 927-0400

Indiana Michigan Power
(800) 311-6424