HUD-VASH Project-Based Vouchers

Overview

• The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act enacted December 26, 2007, provided $75 million dollars of funding for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program as authorized under section 8(o)(19) of the United Stated Housing Act of 1937.

Overview -2• The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-

VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics.

• HUD considers on a case-by-case basis, requests from a PHA to project-base HUD-VASH vouchers in accordance with all PBV program requirements at 24 CFR 983.

Limits on HUD-VASH PBV Units

• No more than 50 percent of a PHA’s HUD-VASH allocation of tenant-based vouchers may be project based.

• HUD-VASH PBV units are counted in the maximum 20 percent of voucher budget authority that may be project based.

HUD-VASH PBV Proposals

• Headquarters must approve a PHA’s proposal to project base HUD-VASH voucher units.

• Proposals may be for existing, new construction and rehabilitated units.

• PHA PBV proposals must be supported by the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

Proposal Information

• Why the PHA wants to project-base these vouchers rather than providing tenant-based assistance.

• Success rate of HUD-VASH voucher holders and other voucher holders

• Utilization rate in SEMAP

Proposal Information cont’d• Amount of time, if any, HUD-VASH vouchers would be

shelved for construction or rehabilitation• A description of the project including the following:

1. Total number of proposed project-based voucher units and buildings in the project

2. Poverty rate of the census tract in which the site is located3. A description of how selection of the proposed project is

consistent with the PHA Plan and 4. Administrative polices on deconcentrating poverty and

expanding housing and economic opportunities5. Any HUD-VASH related supportive services on or near the

premises of the proposed site6. Accessibility of the site to the VAMC, transportation, social

and medical services

Continued Assistance for Families that Move

• PBV regulations provide that a family may terminate the lease anytime after the first year of occupancy.

• Also, the PHA must offer the family continued tenant-based assistance in the form of a voucher or comparable tenant-based rental assistance.

• If case management is still required, tenant-based rental assistance is limited to jurisdictions where VAMC case management services are available.

Continued Assistance - 2• A HUD-VASH family that no longer requires case

management cannot be terminated for choosing to terminate the lease.

• The PHA may offer the family a regular voucher to free up the HUD-VASH voucher.

• If there is no regular voucher available or HUD VASH voucher available, to ensure PBV units under a HAP contract remain continuously funded, the PHA can

Continued Assistance - 3require the family to wait for a HUD-VASH tenant-based voucher for up to 180 days.

• After 180 days, the family must be allowed to move with its HUD-VASH voucher and the PHA must replace the assistance in the PBV unit with regular voucher assistance, unless the PHA and owner agree to remove the unit from the HAP contract.

Continued Assistance - 4

• If after 180 days, a HUD-VASH tenant-based voucher does not become available and the PHA does not have sufficient available funding in its HCV program to attach assistance to the PBV unit, the family may be required to remain in its PBV unit until such funding becomes available.

Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center

Summary of Assignment:•Tax Exempt Bonds•New Construction•Native American Focus•300 beds•New Mexico

Problems:•Difficult to find trustworthy information•Difficult to find the appropriate people with the correct knowledge•No major published data available•PMAs don’t follow typical boundaries seen in everyday market studies•There are not many published guidelines for analyzing this type of population

Solutions:•For this population type, published studies, facts and figures cannot be fully relied upon•Need advocate

•One with appropriate information•One who is willing to disclose information readily•One who is willing to not only give information but also will assist with the bigger picture (insight into appropriate PMA, etc.)

•Work with client and allocating agency to perform the appropriate scope of work

Cash Gill, MAIVP | Gill Group, Inc.(800) 428‐3320cash.gill@gillgroup.com

Homeless Study

Summary of Assignment:•Nine percent credits•Rehabilitation of Hotel•Homeless focus•32 units•California

Problems:•Difficult to find appropriate information•Difficult to find the people who will disclose information or go “on record”•Published data is underreported•PMAs don’t follow typical boundaries seen in everyday market studies•There are not many published guidelines for analyzing this type of population

Solutions:•For this population type, published studies, facts and figures cannot be fully relied upon•Interview as many people as possible

•All homeless shelters in the area•Community officials with knowledge of this population group

•Try to find data that has already been gathered by the city, county or other local government•Work with client and allocating agency to perform the appropriate scope of work

Cash Gill, MAIVP | Gill Group, Inc.(800) 428‐3320cash.gill@gillgroup.com

Special Needs Housing – HOPWAUrban Midwestern City

Background:

Serves persons with AIDS / Homeless Persons45 Units New Construction with 100% Deep Subsidy (30% AGI)42% Studios / 58% One Bedroom Furnished Units Strong Sponsor; Experienced in Market Strong Pedestrian Linkages / Access to Public TransportationSignificant Community / Programming SpaceSustainable featuresAssisted Living Services Optional

Preservation Rehab with Supportive 

Housing Set Aside.  

Located in a major Florida Market

104 Units

Mix of 35%, 50%, and 60% Units