TO: Chair and Housing Authority Commissioners
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, Executive Director
FROM: Nicole Utz, Administrator
SUBJECT:
title
Revised Section 8 Administrative Plan
Ward(s): All Wards
Commissioners(s): Commissioners
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Welcome and Livable Neighborhood
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SUMMARY:
summary
Revisions to the Section 8 Administrative Plan. The proposed revisions would be effective January 1, 2024.
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ISSUE:
Shall the Commission adopt Resolution No. 2304 approving the Revised Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan, effective January 1, 2024?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2304 approving the Revised Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan implementing Moving to Work activities (including alternative utility allowance, initial rent burden change, alternative income exclusions, alternative reexamination schedule, elimination of the third party requirement for inspections and rent reasonableness determinations, limited portability for Project-Based Voucher families), clarifying the sunset date of the Earned Income Disallowance, permitting Salem Housing Authority to pay utility reimbursement payments directly to families, and other changes to clarify and update policies to align with current requirements.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The revised Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan includes the following updates:
1) Implementation of several Moving to Work activities, which were approved in the SHA Moving to Work Supplement to the PHA Plan, including:
a. Establishing an alternative utility allowance schedule (simplified; easier for staff and program participants to use),
b. Establishing a higher initial rent burden of 50% of Adjusted Monthly Income to allow program participants more housing choice,
c. Excluding non-cash contributions to the household from the calculation of household income,
d. Establishing a biennial income and eligibility recertification schedule (as opposed to annual),
e. Eliminating the requirement for an independent third party to conduct housing inspections and rent reasonableness determinations for units owned or controlled by SHA,
f. Permitting participants to self-certify their household assets up to $50,000,
g. Requiring 24 months of tenancy under the Project-Based Voucher program before a family is eligible to request a Housing Choice Voucher with which to move.
2) Clarifying that the Earned Income Disallowance (EID) will expire under the Housing Opportunities through Modernization Act (HOTMA) as of 12/31/2025; and
3) Minor clarifications of other administrative policies and procedures.
BACKGROUND:
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan establishes by policy the criteria under which families are eligible to receive a Housing Choice Voucher. The plan outlines SHA’s written policies where there is discretion in the regulations to operate the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The plan includes policies relating to waitlist management, issuance and denial of Vouchers, special purpose Vouchers, occupancy, recruitment of property owners, subsidy and payment standards, grievance and hearing processes, recertifications, housing inspections, application of the Fair Market Rents, and others. The Administrative Plan is required by federal regulation to be adopted by the Board and used to guide the operations of the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Nicole Utz
Administrator
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2304
2. Draft - Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan, effective January 1, 2024