Moving to Work Expansion

Below is a summary of major changes HRHA is pursuing with our MtW designation. Need more explanation or clarity? Call the main office and request a call back to schedule a conversation with an HCV specialist: 540 – 434 – 7386.

Certifications

• Residents and participants will only need a certification every three years instead of every year.
• Residents and participants will no longer need to report changes in income (unless increase from zero income).
  • Increased earnings will not impact rent until the next three-year certification.
  • Income decreases can result in a rent change once per calendar year.
• HRHA will simplify the utility allowance schedule.
• HRHA will accept self-certification for assets under $50,000.

Rent Policies

• HRHA will increase the elderly/disabled allowance.
• HRHA will eliminate deductions for medical expenses (hardship exemptions allowed).
• HRHA will eliminate childcare deductions (hardship exemptions allowed).
• Income for household dependents 20 and younger will not be counted in rent calculation.
• Minimum household rent will increase from $50 to $100.
• HRHA will increase participant rent responsibility from 30% to 35% of adjusted income.

Franklin Heights: 

• Residents must reside in Franklin Heights two years to be eligible for portability (increased from one year).

Increasing Affordable Housing

• We will offer security deposit assistance, one month’s rent for empty units, and more to participating landlords.
• We will provide help in searching for housing, including one-on-one support in locating affordable rentals.
• We will eliminate the procurement process for HRHA-owned units to reduce cost and increase efficiencies.

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program

• We will replace the current escrow/savings program with an incentive-based program. Escrow will be earned through accomplishing a variety of goal related activities like budgeting, obtaining higher education, participating in FSS events, increasing income. 
• We will continue transitioning towards a coaching-driven case management model that values participant goal setting, collaboration, and empowerment.
• We will provide extension of FSS services to participants for up to 6 months AFTER they graduate FSS.

Project-based Voucher

•  Increase the flexibility to project-base voucher (PBV) rental assistance.  Up to 50% (maximum amount allowed)

  This flexibility will allow HRHA to expand the number of vouchers available to project base, which will increase the number of housing options and units available for those with extremely low income. This change will allow for increased access for hard to find units, such as accessible one bedroom units.

  HRHA anticipates it will allow for the development of additional permanent supportive housing units.  It will also increase administrative efficiencies for HRHA and allow tenants to be housed more quickly when appropriate units are available.

• Remove the limits to the number of PBV units in property buildings.

  Removing these limits will allow HRHA to increase the number of units within a building without HUD approval.  It will provide for more flexible use of housing units and increased choice for tenants. This change will increase the number of units available for extremely low income individuals needing deep rental assistance.