HUD recently released PIH 2012-16, which invites certain eligible PHAs to apply for four available slots in the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program.
Numerous housing authorities are interested in becoming MTW agencies because of the opportunity to take advantage of regulatory flexibility as well as combine public housing and housing choice voucher funding. MTW agencies are often recognized as industry leaders in streamlining operations and implementing innovative ways of meeting local communities' low-income housing needs.
The criteria for becoming a MTW agency under the latest notice might limit a PHA's ability to obtain the MTW designation, however. The two primary requirements an agency must meet are:
- The PHA is currently designated as a High Performing agency under the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS), and
- The PHA administers no more than 5,000 aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units.
Given that there are approximately 3,200 housing authorities in the country, and only four slots open, most PHAs won't be able to join the MTW demonstration. However, agencies can realize cost savings by implementing measures similar to those adopted by MTW PHAs. Although MTW agencies use regulatory flexibility to reduce administrative costs, they've also adopted measures similar to those outlined in PIH 2012-15, Streamlining Administrative Practices in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
For example, while some MTW PHAs have introduced streamlined inspection protocols, one key reform they have undertaken — grouping multifamily annual inspections by building — does not require MTW flexibility. They've also aligned HCV and public housing policies wherever possible through updates to the ACOP and administrative plan.
Many MTW agencies have also reached out to community partners, strengthening relationships in order to meet the second statutory goal of increasing family self-sufficiency. The result is increased programming for families at little to no cost to the PHA.
Although not every PHA can be an MTW agency, your housing authority might benefit from reviewing PIH 2012-15 as well as analyzing the lessons learned from the demonstration program. Some key resources can be found here:
NMA consultant Alison Bell played a leading role as part of a management transition team in the successful start-up of the outsourced administration of a large HCV program. She continues to assist PHAs with their IT procurement projects and provides ongoing technical support to MTW agencies.
Nan McKay and Associates has worked with a number of MTW agencies across the country and can leverage that experience to provide assistance in crafting applications for PHAs that meet the above criteria. For more information, contact sales@nanmckay.com.
