Child Welfare and Housing Access Summit

Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Michael G. Wong, Executive Director

Accessing State and Federal Funds to Support Housing for Youth Aging Out

Enhance understanding of Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s housing programs available to assist Youth Aging out

Increase awareness of eligibility requirements

Partnership opportunities, strategies to effectively change local policies

City of Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Political Sub-Division formed under Title 36 of the Code of Virginia and Voter Referendum

Continuous operation since 1955

Redevelopment and Housing

Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority Pursuant to the Act, the

Authority has the power to finance, acquire, construct, sale, own or operate real property for the purposes of providing low to moderate income housing, the elimination of blight or blighting influences and the facilitation of economic development.

Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority: Mission To promote adequate

and affordable housing, economic opportunity, and a suitable living environment free from discrimination; and to foster redevelopment of blighted areas to ensure the economic, social and housing vitality of our community

Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Annually 9 million dollar budget

Federal Program 129 Project-Base

Housing 843 Housing Choice

Voucher 62 unit Section 8 New

Construction 62 unit low income

housing tax credit Grant funds

Partnerships with Redevelopment and Housing Authorities

Govern by a Board of Commissioners appointed by City Council

Annual Plan and 5 Year Plan

Required Public Hearing on proposed budget, approval of Annual Plan, and any “substantial” changes to the Annual/5 Year Plan

Partnerships with Redevelopment and Housing Authorities

45 day comment period, advertised in the local newspaper

Lead Local entity has to certify that the plan is consistent with the area’s consolidated plans

Partnerships with Redevelopment and Housing Authorities: HA Challenges

All Authorities are different and are driven by local issues

Authorities operating at 89-91% of its budgets, aging out units, increased federal regulations

Local issues affects capacities of Authorities to partner

Housing Options for Aging out Youth

Public Housing/Affordable Housing/Specialty Housing

Housing Choice Voucher

Family Unification Grant

Housing Options

Public Housing/Project Base Housing

Section 8 New Construction

LIHTC Specialty

housing/SRO/PSH

Housing Options: Eligibility Requirement

Income Restriction 60% or less median income (Most Housing Authorities target 30% or less)

Age/ Disability Ineligible Criminal

(Sex offenders/ methamphetamine production)

Housing Options: Housing Choice Voucher

Housing Choice Voucher Program is driven by the Admission and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP)

Preference and Point system used to prioritize services

Private landlord’s housing must meet HQS Standards

Housing Options: Family Unification Grant

FUP is a housing program for families and aging-out youth in the child welfare system. At minimum, FUP provides Section 8 vouchers to child welfare families.

FUP is a collaboration between Housing Authorities and Child Welfare Agencies.

FUP is a program designed to strengthen and stabilize child welfare families (5 years family/2 years aging out).

Competitive grant application 2008-2011: 6 localities in Commonwealth, 381 total vouchers

Housing Options: Family Unification Grant

Families for whom the lack of adequate housing* is a primary reason for the imminent placement of a family's child or children in out-of-home care, or in the delay in reuniting a children) who are in out-of-home care with the family (as determined by the CWA); and,

The family qualifies for the Section 8 rental assistance as determined by the PHA.

*Families facing a “lack of adequate housing” may be: living in substandard or dilapidated housing, homeless, or living in overcrowded conditions. They may also have been voluntarily or involuntarily displaced from their homes by domestic violence.

Young people age 18 to 21 years old who left foster care at age 16 or older and lack adequate housing

Housing Options: Family Unification Grant

Support Services Critical Case mgt./ Counseling Independent Living Post Secondary

Education/Employment Due to voucher time

restrictions/ need to address linkage with HCV program and/or other housing programs(5 years family/2 years aging out).

Participants must comply with HCV program requirements

Partnerships with Redevelopment and Housing Authorities

Enhance understanding of Redevelopment and Housing Authorities programs, eligibility requirements and how they can assist in housing for Youth aging out

Awareness of public policy process and activities to effect local program changes

Increased awareness of opportunities to Partner

Questions and Answers/ Thank you for attending