On Oct. 7, the Howard County Housing Commission (House Howard) heard testimony from the public regarding the updating of its Administrative Plan.
MIH advocated for the Commission to set aside vouchers for people with disabilities in Howard County or help them obtain vouchers through direct referral at the Commission’s headquarters in Columbia.
Matthew Plantz, Board Chairman of People the Go Maryland and member of MIH’s Howard County Housing Committee, provided testimony as a Howard County resident and self-advocate with lived experience.
“I have friends in wheelchairs who cannot even access my parents’ residence or my residence because they are not accessible, which is a barrier,” Plant told the Commission.
Katie Collins-Ihrke, President of the Arc of Howard County and fellow member of MIH’s Howard County Housing Committee, also provided testimony.
“We support a separate waiting list for the HUD mainstream voucher program, by creating a distinct list, the commission could work more effectively with community partners like the ARC to make direct referrals for people with disabilities who need housing,” said Collins-Ihrke. This process would ensure that people who are vulnerable can access these critical resources more efficiently.”
“Three days before my move in date I had received a call saying I did not meet the age requirement, this particular development advertised providing both senior housing and those with ADA recognized disability regardless of their age,” said self-advocate Vickie Miles. This left me in a predicament as I had nowhere to go. I called the state, and this has apparently happened a few times that developments who get these tax breaks but when those things are expired sometimes, they are not renewed, and the advertising does not change.”
“I am glad that MIH could participate in this hearing,” said MIH Director of Housing Ahmna Khan. People with disabilities are often overlooked, especially when it comes to the issue of finding affordable and accessible housing. I would like to thank Peter Engel and the Howard County Housing Commission for giving us the opportunity to comment on their administrative plan.”