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 #17: Coordinate and facilitate economic self-sufficiency strategies for public housing residents.
You want higher-income families who pay higher rent, whether income-based or flat. Consider establishing an FSS program in public housing. The FSS escrow accounts are a great strategy for enabling a family to stabilize economically — and those FSS stories are great PR for your PHA. Best-practice FSS programs at PHAs across the country are fundraising, bringing in additional grants, and providing cutting-edge services.
Use those community rooms to bring in fabulous in-kind services: classes from your local community college, career counseling, computer learning centers, support groups, etc. And don't forget about after-school programs, sports programs, and child care. These kinds of innovations will make public housing properties more appealing, and help you attract and retain those higher-income families.
Next: Working with sequestration in the public housing program: Tip #18
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.
