Volusia County voucher program opens waiting list

BEACON PHOTO/JEN HORTON
Waiting to wait — Hundreds of people stand in line at the DeLand Police Department, on the corner of South Clara and West Howry avenues, just for a chance to get on Volusia County's Section 8 housing waiting list. This was the first open enrollment in four years. The new waiting list is composed of people in DeLand and Daytona Beach.

BEACON PHOTO/JEN HORTON
Waiting to wait — Hundreds of people stand in line at the DeLand Police Department, on the corner of South Clara and West Howry avenues, just for a chance to get on Volusia County's Section 8 housing waiting list.

BEACON PHOTO/JEN HORTON
Worth it— Vondra Dilard is about halfway down the street on West Howry Avenue between South Clara and South Delaware avenues. The aspiring journalist said this was her first time on the waiting list, and the wait was worth it.

By Jennifer Horton
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Oct 20, 2009 - 10:22:44am

Like theme-park patrons waiting for Space Mountain, Volusia County residents lined up for a chance at getting help with housing costs.

Ropes and dividers cordoned off the parking lot of the DeLand Police Department, creating serpentine lines holding hundreds of people on West Howry Avenue.

The line crossed at South Clara and West Howry avenues, and stretched down the sidewalk, almost a full block, to Delaware Avenue.

Dave Lindsey was among those at the front of the line.

"I got here about 8," Lindsey said.

Michelle Perez, who was in front of Lindsey, added, "Yes, about 8 p.m. last night."

They were among the dozens of people who slept on the sidewalk in front of the Police Department, to get on the waiting list for Volusia County's Section 8 program , a program to help very low income people with rent.

The low for Monday evening was 50 degrees. Those waiting in line said it was cold.

It was also wet.

"I got here about 9 last night," Shirley Barriner said. "The sprinklers came on. We were cold and wet."

Barriner and others like her spent the night huddled in blankets and camping chairs.

Community Services Director Dave Byron said this open sign-up was a federal HUD (Housing and Urban Development) requirement, and was the first open sign-up in four years.

"We get an allotment of funds from the federal government," Byron said. "It's about $1.8 million, and we can serve 322 people with that."

If someone qualifies for the help, the county can provide up to 40 percent of that person's rent cost.

"We're creating a new waiting list," Byron said. "We're not screening today. Anyone in line will be entered on the waiting list."

As slots become available, people will be called to qualify based on their position on the list.

Byron said the number of slots that come available each year varies.

"Many people are on the list for life," he said. "For example, you have a very low-income elderly person who is on a fixed income. His income will not change. Depending on where he is on the list and what slots become available, he could be on the list for life."

Byron said the list was not a guarantee of help. He also said this year the list seemed to have grown.

"In years past, we have always had these long lines," Byron said. "I will say, based on the current economy, that we clearly have more people than in years past."

Vondra Dillard was in line halfway between South Clara and South Delaware avenues on Howry Avenue. She said she had heard the line in DeLand and the line in Daytona Beach were going to make up the new waiting list.

"This is my first time getting on the waiting list," Dillard said.

It was in the mid-60s at 8:30 a.m.

"It was a little chilly, but it doesn't feel too bad right now," Dillard said.

It wouldn't have mattered if it was colder, she said; getting on the list was a big deal.

"It's worth it," Dillard said.

For more information about the Volusia County housing-voucher program, visit www.volusia.org/community_assistance/section8.

— jen@beacononlinenews.com

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