The Role of Public Housing Authorities
HUD Funded Housing Programs for PHAs • Low Rent Public Housing • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program -Re...
HUD Funded Housing Programs for PHAs • Low Rent Public Housing • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program -Rental Assistance -Homeownership Program (Optional) • Resident Services Programs • Challenge Grants/Sustainability – new programs
Public Housing • PHAs assist eligible low-income families (annual income at or below 80% AMI) in renting PHA owned housing covered under an Annual Contributions Contract with HUD. • Eligible individuals and families pay approximately 30% of monthly income for rent. • Financial assistance from HUD includes operating subsidy, capital funds, and other special purpose grants awarded to the PHA. • The PHA uses tenant rent and operating subsidy from HUD to operate the program. HUD also provides limited capital repair funding.
Section 8 HCV Program • PHAs assist eligible very low-income individuals and families (annual income at or below 50% AMI) in renting privately owned housing in the community. • Financial assistance from HUD includes the housing assistance paid on behalf of participating families and administrative fees provided to the PHA for administration of the program. • Eligible families are issued a Housing Choice Voucher and search for housing in the community, or in some cases, anywhere in the U.S. • The PHA executes a Housing Assistance Payment contract with the property owner and makes monthly payments to the owner on behalf of the family. The family pays their portion of the rent directly to landlord.
• The PHA is not a party to the lease. The lease is solely between the tenant and landlord. • The tenant is responsible for payment of security deposit, utility deposits and designated utilities. • The tenant also has negotiating powers! Can negotiate a lower rent or deposit in many cases.
Minimum Property Standards • Public Housing: the PHA must inspect its units, site and buildings to assure they meet HUD’s Uniform Physical Conditions Standards. • HCV: The PHA must inspect the dwelling unit to ensure it meets HUD’s Housing Quality Standards.
Some of the Special HCV Programs Operated by PHA’s Include: • Family Unification Program • Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids • HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) • Project-Based Vouchers • Family Self-Sufficiency Program
HUD-VASH: the PHA’s Role • • • • • •
Receives referrals from the VAMC Issues vouchers and briefs participating veterans Provides information on available units Veterans choose their own housing PHA inspects the unit to assure it meets HQS PHA conducts a rent reasonable determination to assure the total rent for the unit is reasonable • PHA calculates veteran portion of rent • Veteran enters into lease agreement with the owner of the unit
HUD-VASH: the PHA’s Role • PHA enters into HAP contract with owner • PHA makes monthly HAP payments on or about the first of each month • PHA conducts annual inspections and recertifications of veteran’s household and income, and adjusts the HAP and veteran’s payment accordingly. • PHA receives funding for “X” number of vouchers x 12 months. OK to lease more VASH vouchers than you have available if you will have attrition. • Prompt Leasing of HUD-VASH vouchers is key to renewal funding. HUD will likely not provide renewal funding for vouchers not leased.
HUD-VASH Best Practices PHA Management Strategies • Identifying designated PHA staff to focus on HUDVASH • Setting aside at least one day of the week for HUD-VASH intake and orientation • Providing space for VA case managers in PHA offices • Recruiting and informing property owners to make their units available to VASH veterans • Implementing VASH express processing and preinspections
Identifies Eligible Veterans for VASH
Identifies Vacant Units / Landlords willing to participate
VASH Caseworker Delivers and Assists with Application
Determines if Rent is Reasonable and Inspect Units
Pool of Eligible Applicants Review Pool of Eligible Units
Eligible VASH Applicant Selects Unit
Applicant Briefed Voucher Issued Lease Up Completed!
Pool of Eligible Units (Units meet HQS Rents are Reasonable)
Working Toward Veteran Retention and Positive Attrition • Connecting Veterans with the Family SelfSufficiency (FSS) Program • The FSS program coordinates existing resources in the community to promote selfsufficiency while providing an avenue for building assets. • Participants enter into a Contract of Participation and outline action goals and steps to take to achieve those goals.
• The FSS Contract of Participation is a 5-year commitment. The FSS Coordinator provides case management and follow-up. • During the term of the FSS Contract, as income increases and tenant portion of rent increases, the PHA matches the increase and puts the match in an interest bearing escrow account for the participant. • The escrow account can be accessed during the contract based on PHA policy. • The FSS Coordinator and VA case manager positions compliment each other, broaden support provided to the veterans and increase the likelihood that Veterans are able to achieve personal goals. • Constant dialogue between the FSS Coordinator and VA case manager is key.
PHA and VA Best Practices Information • HUD-VASH Best Practices – Version 1.0 http://portal.hud.gov/huddoc/VASH-BestPractices.pdf
