Section 8 director Leonards describes housing program

“I don’t want them to think that Section 8 is permanent; it’s not a lifestyle,” remarked Suzette Leonards, executive director of the city’s Section 8 Housing Program, during her presentation to members of the Rayne Rotary Club.
She also noted that she takes pride in the city’s performance  on its housing for needy residents in both its Section 8 program and the Housing Authority of Rayne.
She added the Housing Authority under the direction of Chris Simpson is recognized as one of the three top housing authority program at the national level.
Regarding the city’s Section 8 program, Leonards reported over 70 percent of the tenants are elderly or disabled residents.
Under the Section 8 program residents are provided vouchers which are applied toward rental fees in privately owned properties. She explained the local program obtains approximately $22,000 per month from HUD to fund the vouchers.
Currently, 93 units are rented to needy residents under the Section 8 program.
Eligibility is based on a preference rating system with the first priority granted to the elderly, then to disabled heads of household and thirdly to those who work at least 32 hours a week or are pursuing  a college degree in an effort to better their own and their families’ lives.
The Housing Authority of Rayne currently supervises 200 maintenance-free units. Rental fees are  based on income levels or flat rental fees.
HUD has mandated that flat rental fees will be increased after annual re-examination reviews of tenants, effective Nov. 1, 2014. The newly imposed monthly rental rates will be $364 for one bedroom (currently $254), $472 for two bedroom units, $641 for three bedroom units, and $635 for four bedroom units.
Leonards noted the Rayne public housing programs are grouped into the largest district in Louisiana, consisting of 52 housing authorities. Leonards has served as co-director of the Housing District D   for five years and is currently serving as president of the Section 8 directors for the Louisiana Housing Authority.
In addition to her duties associated with the Section 8 program, Leonards coordinates all city-sponsored children’s events, such as the Easter egg hunt and fishing derby, and serves as director of the Miss Rayne pageant.