While public housing funding for May is now at an 82% proration level (up from 79% in April), sequestration is still in effect, and Congress shows no inclination to reverse it any time soon.
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 #15: Consider a superpreference for the HCV waiting list for public housing victims of domestic violence.
While a brief paragraph doesn't do this topic justice, establishing an HCV waiting list superpreference for victims of domestic violence in public housing serves two important purposes. First and foremost, it can be crucial to the safety of the victim. Especially in small public housing programs, transferring to a nearby project is not going to ensure safety. Porting to another state may be what it takes. Also (and less importantly, of course), it will cut down on the public housing transfers.
Next: Working with sequestration in the public housing program: Tip #16
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.
