Expiring rental subsidies could force Arco families out

Twenty-four families living in an Arco affordable housing complex could be out on the streets come November when rental assistance funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture run out.

The property owner’s contract with the USDA isn’t up for renewal until March, and a new federal law prevents them from receiving additional funds until then.

“We have no choice but to increase the residents’ rent,” said Rachel Matcheson, vice president of Hope Property Management which owns the Cimmaron Station apartments.

Rent will more than double for some families, leaving many uneasy about the future.

“We could all be homeless with nowhere to go,” said Richard Hill, who’s lived at Cimmaron Station with his wife and four-year-old son for about a year.

The Hills, who currently pay $286 a month in rent, will end up owing $656 starting in November.

“We don’t have any money right now,” said Ramona Hill.

Paul Lester, who said he pays about $90 a month, will also face a larger bill.

“Now (the subsidies are) going away, it’s gonna be over $500 a month,” said Lester.

“That basically leaves me with no job, with two children – one severely disabled –, and pretty much no options,” said a renter who wished to remain anonymous.

Matcheson said Cimmaron Station is the only subdizied housing available to families in Arco.

She said that before the money ran out, Cimmaron Station received a total of $99,000 in subsidies in 2015. That’s down from $166,000 in 2014.