TO: Chair and Housing Authority Commissioners
THROUGH: Steve Powers, Executive Director
FROM: Andrew Wilch, Administrator
SUBJECT:
title
Application for funding from HUD for Section 811 - Mainstream Non-Elderly Disabled Housing Vouchers.
Ward(s): All Wards
Commissioners(s): All Commissioners
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
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ISSUE:
Shall the SHA Commission adopt Resolution No. 2233 to authorize an application for funding from HUD Section 811 for 500 Mainstream Housing Vouchers for “Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities” (NED) valued at $4.8 million to provide additional housing vouchers to serve homeless individuals?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2233 to authorize an application for funding from HUD Section 811 for 500 Mainstream Housing Vouchers for “Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities” (NED) valued at $4.8 million to provide additional housing vouchers to serve homeless individuals.
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SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
SHA has identified a funding opportunity through the HUD Section 811 - Mainstream NED program which, if awarded, will provide housing choice vouchers for up to 500 homeless or at-risk individuals. The NED vouchers combines rental assistance from SHA, and wraparound services through collaborations with community partners.
The Salem Housing Authority (SHA), as the City’s lead housing agency, has committed to the priority to end homelessness by increasing the supply of adequate transitional and permanent supportive housing, combined with services to help at-risk community members’ progress to stability and self-sufficiency.
Addressing and ending homelessness is the highest priority in the Salem-Keizer Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan, the Salem/Marion and Polk Counties Continuum of Care Plan, and the Marion/Polk Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness.
HUD funding priorities continue to focus on serving homeless, at-risk of homeless, at risk of institutionalization and returning to community from institutions. Targeting resources for these high needs populations helps further the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A critical ADA goal is to ensure services and program by public entities are provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individual with disabilities.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
SHA administers the Homeless Rental Assistance Program (HRAP) in which participants are supported in their transition from homelessness to long term permanent affordable housing using a Housing First model. The goal of the HRAP program is to house the 100 most vulnerable, hardest to house, chronically homeless individuals in Salem annually.
Each HRAP client graduating the program will receive a voucher to assure their access to long term affordable housing which is the fundamental cornerstone to achieving and maintaining housing stability. The median age of HRAP client is 44 years of age, and 100% are tri-morbid (disabled by untreated addictions, mental and physical health conditions), thereby meeting the criteria for utilization of the Mainstream NED vouchers.
Additionally, through collaboration with Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (CAA/ARCHES), additional populations of qualified recipients have been identified that would benefit from these vouchers. Clients in the Veterans Rental Assistance Program (VRAP), Oregon State Hospital clients, and Medical Respite Program clients will likely qualify for these vouchers as well.
Data collected by ARCHES for the Coordinated Entry Program reveals that 2,392 homeless clients are on the current Active Waitlist. This number climbs to 3,056 if the clients on the Active Homelessness Prevention Waitlist are included. The request for 500 additional housing vouchers will empower SHA to create real possibilities for long term housing stability for the most vulnerable residents of Salem/Keizer and add $4.8 million in additional housing subsidy to the Salem community.
SHA’s request for authorization to submit a funding application for the Section 811 - Mainstream NED vouchers expressly targets the populations that SHA and community partners are trying to house. The HUD Section 811 - Mainstream NED program, if awarded, will provide housing choice vouchers for up to 500 homeless or at-risk individuals. The NED vouchers combines rental assistance from SHA, and wraparound services through collaborations with community partners.
This request is also in alignment with the City’s Strategic Plan goal of implementing a Housing First model and addressing the issue of homelessness.
Andrew Wilch
Administrator
Attachments:
1. Resolution 2233