MTW activities that affect PH Residents
MTW is a demonstration program that allows housing authorities to design and test ways to: 1) promote self-sufficiency among assisted families; 2) achieve programmatic efficiency and reduce costs; and 3) increase housing choices for low-income households. As an MTW agency, HACSB will have the opportunity to implement new policies outside the usual scope of HUD policies and regulations.
The following are approved changes that will directly apply to residents:
Activity: Elimination of mandatory Earned Income Disallowance
Eliminated the mandatory EID from the calculation of total tenant payment.
New Policy: HACSB will eliminate the HUD Mandatory Earned Income Disallowance (EID) from the calculation of total tenant payment and replace it with the rent reform activities authorized under the MTW agreement. No additional families will be processed under the HUD EID requirements. Families currently receiving an earned income disregard will continue to receive such benefit as follows: 1) Until the naturally occurring expiration date under the EID provisions if such date is prior to September 1, 2011; or 2) For a maximum period of 24 months from August 31, 2009 if the current scheduled expiration date is later than September 1, 2011.
Previous Policy: In the previous policy, earned income may be disregarded in calculation of tenant rent for two 12 month exclusion periods with a lifetime limit of 48 months.
Activity: Minimum Rent
The minimum rent increased from $50.00 to $125.00 for all households in PH and HCV.
New Policy: HACSB has adopted a new minimum rent amount of $125.00. Pursuant to HUD regulations, if 30% of the monthly adjusted household income is less than the established minimum rent, the total tenant payment towards rent and utilities will be increased to $125.00. A temporary waiver policy has been established for families who demonstrate a hardship in paying the increased required minimum amount. In order to qualify for a temporary waiver, the families income must have decreased due to a no fault loss of employment or the death of a household member.
Previous policy: The previous minimum rent amount was $50.00.
Activity: Biennial Recertifications
Recertifications for certain elderly and disabled households on fixed income will be done every two years.
New Policy: HACSB has implemented biennial recertifications for elderly and disabled households on fixed incomes. Any other adult family member of these households must either be disabled or elderly and there must only have fixed income.
Old Policy: Recertifications for all families were conducted annually.
Activity: Local Verification Policies
HACSB will implement local verification policies to verify all factors of program eligibility and that impact the calculation of tenant rent.
New Policy: HACSB has implemented local verification policies for the Housing Choice Voucher program. This policy amends the HUD requirements and sets provisions under which HACSB has will establish administrative procedures and management practices for verifications.
Old Policy: Verifications were done pursuant to HUD rules, using the verification hierarchy established by HUD.
Activity: Elimination of Assets
Elimination of the inclusion of income from assets in the calculation of tenant rent.
New Policy: HACSB has eliminated the inclusion of income from assets in the calculation of tenant rent and the asset information reported by families is not being verified or used for rent calculations.
Old Policy: Income from real or personal property was considered an annual income and used to determine tenant rent and housing assistance payment.
Activity: Local Income Inclusion
Include income from sources like foster care and sanctioned TANF in the rent calculation.
New Policy: HACSB will implement policies to include income from sources like foster care and sanctioned TANF in the rent calculation that are currently excluded. This activity will promote self sufficiency by helping families budget and manage their available financial resources.
Previous Policy: In the previous policy, income from sources like foster care and sanctioned TANF were disregarded in calculation of tenant rent.
Activity: Property Management Innovation
Develop a property management system that better reflects the private sector management principles.
New Policy: HACSB will develop a property management program that reflects the private sector property management principles. The objective is to adopt and implement policies and principles, currently used in the private sector, to decrease management costs, improve the quality of our units and assist our tenants in becoming familiar with private sector property management practices.
Previous Policy: The previous policy was based on HUD regulations and did not reflect state and private sector practices.
Activity: Pilot Local FSS Program
Develop and implement a pilot local FSS program.
New Policy: HACSB will develop and implement a pilot local FSS (Family Self Sufficiency) program to help families in their self sufficiency efforts. HACSB proposes to replace the escrow account with an interest bearing “savings” account. Participants will have access to the funds during their FSS contract term as long as the funds are used for self sufficiency activities.
Previous Policy: In the previous policy, participants did not have access to their funds until they completed their contract of participation.
For a complete list of MTW activities click here.