By Yolanda Putman, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.

Mar. 19--Rebecca Hall and her 6-year-old son have moved six times in the two years she's been waiting on a housing choice voucher.

"Staying with friends and family, bouncing from place to place. It's been (difficult)," she said.

The 26-year-old single mom is one of 143 people who gathered Thursday at the office of the Chattanooga Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Program, hoping to prove that they meet income qualifications for a voucher, which represents federal funds that can be used to pay rent.

Those who meet qualifications will receive vouchers within the next two weeks, said Tammie Reeves, director for CHA's Housing Choice Voucher program.

It's the first time the authority has issued vouchers in more than two years. At the start of the process, about 200 people from the list were selected, and 143 passed required criminal background checks and also have no debt with the housing authority.

Those people came in Thursday for income verification, officials said.

April Sinclair said she isn't worried about exceeding income limits. She's been unable to regularly work since 2006 when she prematurely gave birth to her son, who has required around-the-clock care.

Her only finances have been through child support payments, Supplemental Security income and food stamps, all of which total about $1,200 a year.

"It's been extremely hard," said the 31-year-old mother of two. "I've been struggling really bad. My electricity last month was $200 for a two-bedroom house."

To receive a housing voucher, a family of one can make no more than $19,650 a year while a family of four can make up to $28,050, according to CHA officials.

More income verification interviews tentatively are scheduled for April 1, and housing officials said they plan to issue 500 vouchers by December.

Mrs. Reeves said the Housing Choice Voucher staff will concentrate its manpower on getting more people off the waiting list before taking new applicants.

"We're always excited at the opportunity to assist more people through the Housing Choice Voucher Program," Mrs. Reeves said.

The vouchers were possible after CHA officials learned this year that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would give the authority an additional $200,000 a month to house more people.

Ms. Hall said CHA officials told her Thursday that she met income requirements and that she's eligible to receive a voucher.

"Relief," she said. "Getting a voucher means I can take care of my child, go back to college and not worry about him having food and a roof overhead."

Continue reading by following these links to related stories:

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Times Editorial: A public housing victory

Article: Law gives renters eviction protection

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