|
HUD Requests Applications for Moving to Work Demonstration
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a notice inviting public housing agencies (PHAs) to apply for additional slots in the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program. Issued on February 27, 2012, Notice PIH- 2012-16 announces that a total of 4 MTW slots are available. Of those, 3 were authorized by the FY 2011 HUD appropriations act, and 1 is an unfilled slot remaining from the 2010 appropriations act. Applications are due June 27, 2012.
MTW allows participating PHAs to combine their public housing Operating Funds and Capital Funds, as well as their Section 8 housing choice voucher funds, into a single, flexible block grant. In addition, pursuant to an approved plan, a PHA may request waivers from HUD of most provisions of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 and regulations under it. Thus, participating PHAs have wide latitude in using federal funds to meet local housing and supportive service needs. Existing MTW PHAs have used this flexibility to experiment with new rent policies, produce savings through administrative streamlining, use funds to redevelop their housing stock, and link housing assistance with supportive services.
To be eligible under the Notice, a PHA must be a high-performer under the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and administer no more than 5,000 aggregate vouchers and public housing units. In addition, applicants must be willing to test certain policy priorities defined by HUD, which include (1) a Rent Reform Controlled Study, and (2) either a Housing Choice Mobility Demonstration or a Detailed Block Grant Evaluation. As part of its application, a PHA must propose an MTW Plan for the PHA's first year of operation under the MTW demonstration.
R&C has been a leader in promoting statutory and regulatory reform for its public housing agency clients in a variety of ways, including through the MTW demonstration, and is currently working with stakeholders on further statutory expansion of MTW. If you have any questions about the Notice or the MTW program generally, please contact us.
Issued January 29, 2012. Reno & Cavanaugh represents developers, housing authorities, lenders and other industry participants in matters of housing development, financing and other areas. This memorandum provides general information and should not be viewed as specific legal advice. These materials may not be copied or redistributed for commercial purposes or for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from Reno & Cavanaugh. If you have questions about these terms or would like information about licensing materials from www.renocavanaugh.com, please contact R&C.
|
