During a recent government meeting, council members discussed the implications of rising expenses on middle-income households and the potential adjustments to the Urban Rental Assistance Fund (URAF) program. One council member expressed concern about the financial strain on these households, advocating for a 100% Area Median Income (AMI) threshold for eligibility in the URAF program, with a reevaluation process after one year.

Another council member, Marsh Holshin, raised a question regarding a tiered assistance approach, suggesting different levels of support based on income brackets—specifically, $4.80 for those under 30% AMI and $2.50 for those at 60% AMI, tapering off to 100%. However, the complexity of implementing such a system was acknowledged, with recommendations leaning towards selecting a single AMI threshold for the program.

The council agreed that monitoring the program's effectiveness over the year would be crucial, allowing for potential adjustments based on utilization rates, particularly among those at the 100% AMI level. This discussion reflects ongoing efforts to address housing affordability and support for vulnerable populations in the community.