By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-903782.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Habitat for Humanity of Michigan says its future is clouded by a rollback in state funding. Leaders of the not-for-profit organization that builds and rehabilitates homes for low-income families are hoping to convince Michigan's housing agency to reverse the cut.
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The Michigan State Housing Development Authority responded to cuts in its budget by reducing funding for down payment assistance. That cost Habitat for Humanity more than a million dollars. Bob Filka chairs the Habitat for Humanity of Michigan board. He says that affected 61 families waiting on Habitat homes.
"This uncertainty has led a number of local Habitats around the state to kind of stop in their tracks," he says.
There are 77 Habitat affiliates in Michigan.
Filka says Habitat for Humanity hopes the state housing authority will tap into federal stimulus funds to restore the cut. The authority board is scheduled to meet later this week. An official with the housing authority says Habitat made commitments to put families into homes before funding for the projects was secured.