OHFA Increases Payment Standards - Oklahoma OHFA News on 8-web...coils and fan of dirt and debris....
Transcript of OHFA Increases Payment Standards - Oklahoma OHFA News on 8-web...coils and fan of dirt and debris....
Aleta Bellazer has
been a central figure
in her grandchil-
dren’s lives since they were
born. Her daughter’s four
children lovingly call her “Momo.”
When she moved from Louisiana
to Oklahoma, they stayed with her
for the summer and never wanted to
leave. That was more than four years
ago.
Aleta and her four grandchildren
now live together in a four-bedroom
house with an extra living area in the
back for them to play and do their
homework. Their home gives the kids
plenty of personal space.
HUD posted the final fair market rents
for Oklahoma effective December 11,
2015, allowing OHFA to review its pay-
ment standards.
Since then, OHFA has increased many
of the payment standards to 100% or
more of the fair market rents to assist
its clients in finding affordable units.
Updated payment standards that went
into effect April 1, 2016, are posted at
www.ohfa.org on the Housing Choice
Voucher Resources page.
Visit the shortcut http://tinyurl.com/Se-
c8Resources and click on the Payment
Standards link.
A Newsletter for Section 8 Rental Assistance Landlords and Tenants Published Twice Yearly by Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency
Summer 2016 | Volume 15 | Number 1
OHFA Increases Payment Standards
onNewsNews 88Raising A
At the same time, rental assistance
from OHFA gives Aleta room to breathe
financially.
Without it, “life would be hard,” she
said. “Rent here is $750.”
With her income from employment
in the dietary department of a nurs-
ing home, Aleta only pays half of that
amount through OHFA’s Section 8
Housing Choice Voucher Program.
“Kids are very expensive now,” she
said. “By helping me, they help them.”
(continued on page 2)
Generation
OHFA sends Notification of Changes to
HAP Contract and/or lease letters when
the annual recertification is completed.
Any change or anticipated change in
household income occurring after the
annual recertification appointment, but
prior to the current annual recertifica-
tion effective date must be reported in
writing to OHFA within 30 days of the
change.
An increase in a household member’s
income occurring during this period will
be included when calculating the fam-
ily’s income for the annual recertifica-
tion.
Report Income Changes Prior to Recertification
Second
Aleta Bellazer (far right)took on the responsibility and rewards of raising her four grandchildren.
TTY
Recertification Team 1 Alphabet A,D,G,H,K,M,O, and X
Recertification Team 2 Alphabet B,C,I,J,N,P,T,U, and Y
Recertification Team 3Alphabet E,F,L,Q,R,S,V,W, and Z
Initial Certification Team
Preapp Status line
Local Leasing line Toll-free Leasing lineFax Number
Office Operations Mary Hoock, Manager Ken Erb, Supervisor
Field Operations Kenneth Love, Manager Dodie Pool, Supervisor
FSS/ Home Ownership Specialists Kathy Stafford Ryland MooreSheila Calvin
www.ohfa.orgAA/EEO
Oklahoma Quality Award Winner
OHFA’s Administrative Plan for the Section 8 Housing Voucher Program may be viewed at www.ohfa.org or at its central office by appointment.
(405) 848-7471
(405) 419-8166 Fax: (405) 419-9166
(405) 419-8167Fax: (405) 419-9167
(405) 419-8168Fax: (405) 419-9168
(405) 419-8169Fax: (405) 419-9169
1-866-569-6306or (405) 879-6365
(405) 842-24711-800-256-1489(405) 879-8822
(405) 419-8266(405) 419-8233
(405) 419-8268(405) 419-8230
(405) 419-8236 (405) 419-8197(405) 419-8171
Street Address: 100 N.W. 63rd Street, Suite 200 Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 26720 Oklahoma City, OK 73126
Executive DirectorDennis Shockley
Rental Assistance Director Deborah Jenkins
NEWS on 8 Editor Diana Rogers Jaeger, APR
Contact List
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In an effort to provide more flex-
ibility to Section 8 Housing Choice
Voucher families and to allow them
to find housing during the term of
their voucher, HUD requires that the
time on the voucher be stopped
(suspended) upon the family sub-
mitting the scheduling appointment
request form.
The time is started again when
OHFA notifies the family in writing
whether the request has been ap-
proved or denied.
The signing of the lease is approval
of the request. Denial is when the
family or owner decides they do not
want to rent the selected unit or the
owner is unwilling to lower the rent
so the family can qualify under the
40% affordability rule.
It is still important for the family
to submit a written request for an
extension before the voucher expira-
tion date if the family is not able to
locate a unit during the term of their
voucher.
New HUD Requirement Gives Families More Time to Find a Unit
5 Useful Tips for Landlords
All four grandchildren, Acura, 14;
Ladamilin, 12; Akliah, 10; and Akayla, 10;
play sports and the cost of their shoes
and uniforms adds up.
Aleta’s days can be long and tiring.
Still, she comes home to take care of
her grandchildren, making memories at
the same time. All four kids encourage
her to go outside with them to shoot
basketball in the driveway.
“They don’t let you be tired,” she said.
“They keep me going.”
It’s no secret that raising a teenager
and preteens comes with challenges.
But the rewards outnumber them.
“They can be a pain in the butt at
times, but they’re mine,” Aleta said with
a smile.
GENERATION... [CONTINUED]
After moving to Oklahoma two
years ago, Mike Overby found
success in the rental market. He
currently owns 50 homes in the Mid-
west City and Del City area. He oper-
ates his business, Prime OKC Proper-
ties, by certain standards and believes
following them can help other landlords
find success as well.
Do It for More Than Money
Mike takes
pride in reno-
vating a home
so that everyone
would want to live
there.
“You have to make a profit, but you can’t be all about that. You will lose.”
Respect Your TenantsMike doesn’t rent out a single house
that he wouldn’t live in.
“Just because they’re Section 8 doesn’t mean you lower your standards and doesn’t mean they’re a lower class people.”
Use Quality Appliances and FixturesMike doesn’t install anything that is
used or recycled in any of his rental
properties. Everything is brand new.
“Put quality stuff in there.”Develop a Solid ReputationMike renovates his properties so that
the quality of his work speaks for itself.
People hear about Mike’s rental proper-
ties through word of mouth.
“I don’t advertise.”Surround Yourself With a Good TeamFrom his financiers to his contractors,
Mike carefully selects them because
they play key roles in his business.
“I can’t be successful without them.”
Mike Overby
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Springtime HQS Checklist
Spring triggers the need for spring
cleaning, tornado preparation, and
Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
maintenance checks. Below is a sug-
gested to-do list to ensure your dwell-
ing is a safe and sanitary place to live.
1. Change smoke detector batteries
and test for proper operation.
2. Change air filters and clean air vent
covers.
3. Declutter belongings away from
outlets, windows, walkways, and
water heaters.
4. Clean central air conditioner unit
coils and fan of dirt and debris.
5. Check weatherstripping along both
sides, top, and bottom of all exterior
doors (front and back doors).
6. Check roof for loose or lifting
shingles.
7. Walk around the unit to check exte-
rior siding, fascias and soffits for any
rotting or deteriorating wood.
8. Clean out gutters of leaves, dirt,
and debris.
9. Remove all coverings from win-
dows. Make sure windows that are
designed to open can open, close,
lock and stay open without the use of
a prop or device.
10. Check windows for any air infil-
tration.
11. Check the foundation and exte-
rior brick walls of the unit for settling
cracks and/or missing mortar.
12. Make sure your family is familiar
with the layout of your home. Design
and practice your family’s fire and
tornado safety drills.
Completing this suggested HQS
checklist will help ensure your home is
a safe and sanitary place to live.
Learn more about HQS requirements
at http://tinyurl.com/Sec8Resources
and click on the Briefing Book, Housing
Quality Standards, and Administrative
Plan links.
Connect2Compete is a national
not for profit initiative, aimed at
bringing students and families
nationwide online by providing low cost
computers and high-speed Internet,
and free digital literacy training.
Families that qualify for the National
School Lunch Program are eligible to
receive Internet services at $9.95 per
month.
During the two years of the program,
there are no price increases, no activa-
tion fees, and no equipment rental fees.
Through Connect2Compete, families
have the option to purchase a refur-
bished laptop for $202 or a refurbished
desktop computer for $162.
Both systems come with
Genuine Windows 7, Micro-
soft Office 2010 Home and
Business, a 90-day warran-
ty, and free shipping.
Since many teachers assign Internet-
based homework and require comput-
ers for school projects, access to a
computer and high-speed Internet at
home has become essential to helping
students connect and succeed in the
classroom and beyond.
Visit www.everyoneon.org to learn
more about participation in Connect-
2Compete.
Connect2Compete
• Chris AndersonFloater Agent
• Luke BrooksEast Oklahoma
• Senna FranklinFloater Agent
• Christina HinesFloater Agent
• Jack HowellEast Oklahoma
•Corey KingFloater Agent
• Rhonda MurrellFloater Agent
• Philippe JametFloater Agent
• Sandy LindsleyEast & NE OK
• Debbie MauldinFloater Agent
• Shannon OgleSE Oklahoma
• Shawnta WardFloater Agent
• Judi WrightFloater Agent
Field Agents
Report concerns or questions regarding rental assistance payments to (405) 848-1144, Ext. 2898. Leave a detailed message and a phone number where you can be reached.
Housing Assistance Payment Line
Changes to Phone Number, Email & Mailing Address
Please immediately notify OHFA in writing every time your telephone number, email or mailing address changes.
Visit http://ohfa.gosection8.com to view or list available units for free or call (866) 466-7328.
Listing of AvailableRental Properties
Property owners may access payment history 24/7 at www.hapcheck.com.
Housing Assistance Payment History
Offers Low-Cost Computers and High-Speed Internet
Presort StandardU.S. Postage
PaidPermit No. 2000
Okla. City, OK
SEE WHAT’S INSIDE!
Holidays (Offices Closed)May 30, Memorial DayJuly 4, Independence DaySeptember 5, Labor DayNovember 11, Veterans DayNovember 24 & 25, Thanksgiving December 26 & 27, Christmas
Landlord MeetingsSeptember 22 - LawtonOctober 6 - TulsaOctober 20 - Oklahoma City
Rental Assistance Trainings (Staff Unavailable)
June 9, September 8 & December 15 2016 Homebuyer Education Classes (Current FSS Clients Only)
June 25, September 17 & December 3
Resident Advisory Board Meetings
May 27, August 19 & November 8
Program Coordinating Committee Meetings
July 29 & October 28
OHFA Increases Payment Standards
Springtime HQS Checklist
Connect2Compete Offers Low-Cost Computers
5 Useful Tips for Landlords
P.O. Box 26720Oklahoma City, OK 73126www.ohfa.org
Important Dates
A Newsletter for Section 8 Rental Assistance Landlords and Tenants Published Twice Yearly by Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency
onNewsNews 88
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Free Summer Meals Available to Children
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free breakfast, lunch and snacks to all children, regardless of their family’s income. To apply for SFSP, individuals must contact a participating site. To find nearby SFSP sites, visit https://cnp.sde.ok.gov/SponsorLocator/ or call the Oklahoma Child Nutrition Office (405) 521-3327.
Searching for Work? Quality Jobs Available
Free job training, career coaching,
continuing education and more
are available to qualifying indi-
viduals through Work Ready Oklahoma.
If you have been seeking work for six
months or longer, Work Ready Okla-
homa may be able to provide resources
and connections to help you get hired!
To be eligible, individuals must be
unemployed or underemployed, be at
least 18 years old, have a high school di-
ploma or GED, and have some post-sec-
ondary education or work experience.
Career opportunities are available in
good-paying sectors such as manage-
ment/business, IT/computers, financial
services, architecture, teaching, health-
care, and engineering.
Work Ready Oklahoma services are
FREE to both job seekers and employ-
ers. Visit www.workreadyoklahoma.com
or call (405) 418-3923 to learn more.