As we know, public housing funding for April is at a 73% proration level. HUD plans to issue a second funding to bring the April proration level up to 79%.
The business of owning and managing affordable housing in decent, safe, and sanitary condition and in good repair remains our mission. PHAs need to plan more strategically than ever before. So, as all businesses must ask in tough times: How can we maximize dollars and cut costs?
Tip #3: Give property managers responsibility and authority to fill units by implementing site-based waiting lists.
Housing authorities aren't required to implement site-based waiting lists. Many centralized eligibility units do a great job of ensuring that projects maintain a 98 to 99 percent occupancy rate. If it's not broken, don't fix it!
But if units aren't being filled quickly, maybe it's time to consider site-based waiting lists and hold property managers accountable for filling their vacancies. This is how it works in the multifamily program and private sector. Filling units in other rental programs is the top priority — it should be no different in public housing.
Giving applicants a choice of the projects where they'd like to live can result in much more targeted marketing and successful unit offers. Ramping up customer service and marketing techniques tailored to each property will further attract applicants considering specific properties.
Yes, some properties may experience a lack of interested applicants, but isn't that helpful information to have? This kind of data will help your PHA strategically decide whether to hold a property, improve, reconfigure the design, demolish and rebuild, convert to PBRA or PBV under RAD, or dispose of the asset altogether.
Next: Working with sequestration in the public housing program: Tip #4
NMA senior associate Cara Gillette trains, consults, and provides technical assistance nationwide in fair housing, public housing management, hearings, economic self-sufficiency, and governing boards. Prior to joining NMA, Ms. Gillette served at the San Diego Housing Commission, administering its public housing and Section 8 waiting lists, serving as hearing officer, managing public housing, and overseeing resident economic development programs. She has previously written for the NMA blog about blended occupancy projects.
If you find that you need staffing help during sequestration, NMA can assist your agency with recertifications (done remotely), quality control, outsourced hearing officer services (done remotely), HQS inspections, and more. Email sales@nanmckay.com for more information.
