Hundreds Line Up & Thousands Apply For DHA Vouchers
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) says it is now ready to help thousands of residents in need, after a computer error shut down the process in April.
Tuesday, people waited in line for hours, to get a chance at receiving help.
"I have to put pride on the shelf," Franklin Fuller said of his situation.
This is the first time Fuller has ever asked for help. He was a truck driver for 34 years, but is now unable to work because of an injury.
Fuller is confident his situation is temporary and says the DHA opportunity will help, "…just to make ends meet. I'm in need of assistance."
About 100 people waited in line Tuesday to apply for a voucher that would provide assistance for rent. "Anything beats nothing right now," said Fuller. "What I'm getting from disability it's like, every month, robbing Peter to pay Paul."
Most of the people applying in person arrived at the DHA office before sunrise. Some even camped out overnight, because they say opportunities like this don't happen very often.
The DHA re-opened its voucher application process Tuesday, after a computer software error forced the to close it down in April.
The snafu caused some 13,000 online applications to be tossed out of the computer system.
DHA officials say the problem has been fixed. "We do expect a smoother process this time," said the DHA Vice President of Voucher Programs, Sam Grader. "We've been assured that the process has been tested."
In addition to the people filing applications in person, the DH expects 20,000-30,000 more people to apply online.
After all is said and done, all of the applications will be entered into a lottery and 5,000 people will be chosen at random to receive help.
Sherry Wulf, who says her only income is a $650 monthly disability check, thinks the voucher could change her life. "It would enable me, after my surgeries, to maybe go to school online and be able to finish my education," she said.
Anyone who applied online last month is encouraged to re-apply.
The application deadline is May 10 at 6 p.m.
