How to Survive 2014 and Beyond. MN NAHRO Spring Conference Madden s 2014 Dominic Mitchell, Jennifer Keogh, Terri Smith

Transcription

1 How to Survive 2014 and Beyond MN NAHRO Spring Conference Madden s 2014 Dominic Mitchell, Jennifer Keogh, Terri Smith

2 Federal Budget Picture Conclusions First and last, its Medicare, then Social Security spending that drives imbalances Choice is to cut now or cut later Entitlements will squeeze down discretionary (incl housing) spending Current path poses significant risk of both economic stagnation and crisis

3 Voucher Program Funding

4 2014 Appropriations Act 2014 Funding Levels 2014 funding based on HAP expense and leasing for 2013 VMS Funding was not subject to sequestration Keeps all current families housed does not restore vouchers lost through sequestration Authorizes an offset of PHAs excess NRA and/or HUD-held program reserves The Act continues to prohibit the use of these funds to lease units above baseline units under ACC Proration levels 94% vs. 99% - HAP 69% vs. 75% Admin

5 Cost Saving Measures in 2014 Omnibus Bill HQS Inspections Biennial Inspections Alternative Federal, State, or local housing program inspection (e.g. HOMES and LIHTC) may be used in lieu of HQS if such a standard would provide the same or greater protection to occupants HCV Utility Allowance Income Targeting Consortia Merge PH and HCV FSS

6 Cost Saving Measures in 2014 Omnibus Bill Implementation: Department will release PIH Notice shortly to implement provisions Department may release more than one Notice in order to offer administrative relief contained in these provisions as quickly as possible Proposed rule published in Federal Register Final rule published in Federal Register after public comments have been reviewed and incorporated

7 2015 Funding Congress passed 2 year budget agreement Current Housing and Senate Action House T-HUD billion for HAP renewals 327 million over 2014 level, but $314 million lower than Administration s budget proposal Insufficient to fully restore vouchers lost in 2013 Admin Proration of 66% Lowest fee in the history of the program Action Alerts from NAHRO-contact members of Congress

8 Maintain and Increase Leasing Quickly Absorbs vs. voucher issuance to maintain current numbers Absorbs = quick utilization fix Size of selections less early more later Balance

9 Voucher Search Time Policies for Initial Search Time Policies for Issuing Moving Vouchers to Existing Tenants Policies for Extensions Must be in your HCV Administrative Plan

10 Success Rates Determine Selection Size Freshness of list Track Success Rates Pull to Application Application to Voucher Issuance Issuance to Lease Up Pull to Lease Up Consider Vacancy Rates of your Community

11 Tracking Utilization How Often to pull Utilization Reports Example Reports HCV Forecasting Tool Other tools to assist in utilization management

12 St Paul PHA Utilization Report

13 Dakota County CDA Utilization Report

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16 Metro HRA Utilization Report

17 HCV Forecasting Tool

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19 Waiting List Opening When to Open Lottery vs Date/Time Number to Place on List 2-3 years worth Application Process Fair Housing Considerations Check your Administrative Plan Preferences On-Line You Tube Video Directions Call Center for Questions Any In house? VS In-House Paper or Kiosk Crowd Control Administrative Time

20 Other Items to Consider Payment standard levels Subsidy standards Reasonable Accommodations extra bedrooms When to increase vouchers size Definition of family Who to allow HH to add? When to decrease voucher size

21 Interim Recertifications Interim Processing many options: Never Threshold All

22 Voucher Transfer Transfer of Voucher Set policy in HCV Admin Plan Examples

23 Debts Owed Debts Owed Statute of Limitation, rests on HUD guidance Require payment in full prior to lease up Payment Agreement

24 Criminal Background Checks Criminal Background Checks Criteria, when and how detailed New admission only Recerts Convictions vs. Charges vs. Arrests BCA = free vs. paid service

25 Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook Comprehensive revision, which will include all significant statutory and regulatory changes (e.g. HERA 2008, VAWA 2013), technical assistance, and policy guidance issued since 2001 New Chapters: Administrative Fees, SEMAP, Fair Housing Requirements, Violence Against Women Act, Special Purpose Vouchers, HUD-VASH, Overview of Project-Based Vouchers Financial Management, Utilization, and HUD/PHA Reporting Requirements have been expanded to include recent changes in requirements (i.e., cash management, shortfall prevention) Expected publication date: December 2014 Will only be available electronically at

26 PBV Guidebook Will advise PHAs and owners regarding the administration of the project-based voucher (PBV) program Guidebook will walk through the steps that PHAs and owners must follow in implementing and administering the PBV program and also advise PHAs and owners on requirements related to PBV tenancies. Will include: detailed program requirements guidance on administration of the program Expected Publication Date Winter 2014

27 Questions? Dominic Mitchell, Section 8 Programs Manager, St. Paul PHA (651) , dominic.mitchell@stpha.org Jennifer Keogh, Director of Housing Assistance, Dakota County CDA (651) , jenniferkeogh@dakotacda.state.mn.us Terri Smith, HRA Manager, Metropolitan Council HRA (Metro HRA) (651) , terri.smith@metc.state.mn.us