WMHA honors Catlett, hears from Mitchell

During its 29th annual Appreciation Day Picnic, Wayne Metropolitan Housing Authority Executive Director Rodney Mitchell thanked the community, partners and WMHA staff members for supporting the mission of providing ways to meet the growing need for affordable rental units and helping individuals and families who are seeking opportunities to become homeowners.

In addition to managing housing units owned by the WMHA or other entities, the WMHA manages and administers rental assistance programs and collaborates with local agencies including The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties, Community Action of Wayne/Medina, Wayne County Job & Family Services, OneEighty Inc., Wayne County Board of Developmental Disabilities, City of Wooster, Wayne County and more.

Mitchell, who became the executive director on Aug. 1, thanked retiring Director Deb Catlett for her 30-plus years of service to WMHA.

“The brain of the operation, working behind the scenes, she does everything,” Mitchell said. “You have been more than a director. You’ve been more than a friend. You’ve been more than a mentor. You have been a mother to all of us at this agency. Thank you so much. You have never once turned your back on us. You never left us high and dry, and you were always there for us. Thank you for being a part of my life personally and thank you for being a part of this agency.”

Since its inception in 1969, WMHA has envisioned a future where everyone has affordable, quality housing that offers a foundation for stability, self-sufficiency and success. With established ties within the community, WMHA provides the following programs:

—Housing Choice Voucher Section 8.

—Public Housing.

—Family Self-Sufficiency.

—Community Housing Impact and Preservation.

—Special Use Housing for those with special needs.

“The thing we are struggling with the most right now is the increase in rental costs,” Catlett said. “The landlords in the voucher program require more money than the program is authorized to pay. We desperately need landlords who will work with us and know that they are helping someone move out of poverty.”

According to Catlett, one- and two-bedroom housing is in the highest demand, and landlords interested in working with WMHA may call outreach and family services coordinator Hanna Sigler at 330-264-2727 ext. 138. For more information visit www.waynemha.org.

Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.