PORTLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY

PresentationEnding Chronic Homelessness

October 30, 2013Maine Affordable Housing Conference

Connecting HCV and Homelessness

PHA’s Section 8/HCV ProgramsWhat is a HCV Set AsideCreating the Homeless Set Aside

Process and TimeframeHow it works

PHA Section 8 Programs Section 8 Programs Administered:

Housing Choice Vouchers: 1,789 including:• Tenant-Based Vouchers: 1,540• Project-Based Housing Choice Vouchers: 164 (14

properties)• Homeownership Vouchers: 50• VASH Vouchers: 35

HUD Moderate Rehabilitation Units: 105 (2 properties)

Housing Choice Voucher Residents: 4,100 Number of new families housed in FY13 – 140 60% of all PHA voucher holders are non-elderly

disabled households

Portland Housing Authority

Recent Homeless Initiatives: 2005: Logan Place, 30 PBV 2009: Florence House 25 PBV 2010: 35 VASH vouchers

homeless/vets 2013: 40 HVC Homeless Set Aside 2013: 20 VASH vouchers

homeless/vets

HCV Waiting ListShared Waiting List:

(Portland, South Portland Westbrook) 3,493 Total applicants 452 In shelters and/or chronically homeless

116 In shelters and chronically homeless238 In shelters not chronically homeless98 Not in shelter and chronically

homeless

What is a HCV Set AsideLocally established voucher preference Addresses a documented need or priorityIn conjunction with the creation of a program that

provides supportive servicesAllows use of a limited number of vouchersIn partnership with local service providersUses existing voucher funds, no special HUD

program applicationMust be part of the HA’s Annual Agency Plan

o Section 8 Admin PlanHUD review required

Creating the Homeless Set Aside Proposed Program: Scattered Site/Housing First

PHA would establish a set-aside of 40 HCVs to provide affordable housing for chronically homeless, non-elderly disabled individuals living in emergency shelters, at scattered sites with supportive services. Services will assist clients maintain housing stability, access services, and promote success and self-sufficiency.

Documented Need:Proposal would address a continuing and growing need for affordable housing for chronically homeless individuals with disabilities who place heavy demands on scarce community resources by residing long-term in Portland’s emergency shelters. Well documented by City; numbers and costs, as well as City’s Task Force To End Homelessness.

Partners/Resources:Preble Street, City’s Dept. HHS, The Opportunity Alliance. Supportive Services are provided with funding from Maine DHHS Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH).

Creating the Homeless Set AsideTimeframe:August/September 2012: Initial staff discussions with

City/Preble StreetOctober 4, 2012: Initial discussions with PHA BoardNovember 1, 2012: Board Presentation by City/Preble

StreetNovember 15, 2012: Begin process to amend the agency

planDecember 6, 2012: Initial Board approvalJanuary 3, 2013: PHA Board Final ApprovalResources: TA: HUD and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)

Creating the Homeless Set Aside

What were the questions and concerns? Is it consistent with PHA’s 5 Year Plan How are the support services funded and how

will they work? What is the PATH Program? What about chronically homeless families? Won’t this cause other applicants to wait longer? Will landlords participate? How does this coordinate with the Task Force

report and strategy? What happens when a client isn’t cooperative

with the service program?

How It WorksOriginal Plan

Staff training in January Evaluate and select applicants January and February 40 Lease-ups January thru March

Sequestration Slow Down Issued 21 vouchers since May 1st Leased up 15 to date, 6 still looking for housing No vouchers issued since October 1st due to lack of

funds On-going commitment of 40 vouchers Program will resume as soon as funding makes it

feasible

How It WorksApplicants must be on HCV Waiting ListPHA pulls group of applicants off the waiting listPreble Street/City verifies preference and program

eligibilityApplicant completes formal application with assistancePHA verifies HCV program eligibilityPHA conducts program briefing and issues voucherPreble Street initiates supportive service program and

counselors being housing searchLease up takes placeOn-going services provided