Housing Choice Vouchers

From HACLA's press release:

Last week, on Wednesday, November 15th, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) and in partnership with the Los Angeles Mayor's Office, hosted a presentation on incentives available to property owners who are willing to rent to individuals and families who have experienced homelessness. Held at HACLA’s Headquarters at 2600 Wilshire Boulevard, the event was well attended with 75 prospective property owners and guests who had an opportunity to hear about the successes of the Homeless Incentive Program (HIP). With HUD’s recent approval of higher Voucher Payment Standards (VPS), HACLA’s maximum rents have reached a historic high and at market rate, a one-bedroom voucher payment can go up to $2,400/month. Additional benefits and financial incentives to property owners who participate in the Program include holding fees, where landlords can receive up to one month's rent per vacant unit held, and based on the number of bedrooms and current Fair Market Rents (FMR), move-in assistance, and damage mitigation.

Following the presentation, a total of 18 inspections were scheduled on the spot (three of which were specifically for EHV units). HACLA also received many interest cards, where owners indicated a total of 219 available rental units ready to be listed by HACLA. The event proved to be a great success and HACLA plans to have more in the near future.

“We’re so grateful for the property owners who already participate in this program, but we know we have a way to go,” said HACLA President and CEO Doug Guthrie. “We hope that events like this will aid us in getting the word out about the program and its incentives to property owners who haven’t been aware or who have, perhaps, been a bit skeptical in the past. This is a great way for us to partner together with them and give more individuals and families a place to call home.”

"It is critical that we strengthen our partnerships to provide the necessary resources and support to house our most vulnerable populations within the County. Property owners who are willing to partner with us are key to accomplishing that goal," said LACDA Executive Director, Emilio Salas. "Programs like HIP allow the LACDA, HACLA, and property owners to work together to house our unhoused neighbors and empower our communities."

“Each of us has a role to play in confronting the homelessness and housing affordability crisis,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “I thank property owners who are already helping us provide affordable housing options and those who answered our call to provide permanent housing to Angelenos who hold housing vouchers. I encourage more property owners to join us in being part of the solution. I also applaud HACLA and LACDA for joining forces and working together to make process improvements and offering resources to increase the number of property owners offering units in the private rental market.” 

From the Seattle Housing Authority's press release:

The Seattle Housing Authority has been awarded $1,075,200 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand neighborhood choices for more families with young children being served by SHA. SHA has designed a suite of services that increase the ability of these families with vouchers to rent in neighborhoods which have proven to result in improved academic achievement, health, income and other life outcomes for the children in low-income families as they grow into adults. 

“Every parent knows the value of providing a safe and secure place for their child to call home. Stability at home helps promote their future success – in school and onwards,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge in making the award.

SHA Executive Director Rod Brandon says the funds will be used to expand beyond a pilot study SHA engaged in to determine the effectiveness of enhanced services on the ability of families to use their Housing Choice Voucher in a wider variety of areas throughout the city. “SHA and its partners launched the Creating Moves to Opportunity project five years ago and it has shown remarkable results in opening up neighborhood choices to families raising children,” Brandon said. “We are seeing that with the right information and support, parents are able to exercise real housing choice and make the best decisions for the success of their family. The exciting thing is that we know from prior research that results in a better chance of families ending intergenerational poverty.”

The Creating Moves to Opportunity pilot was a partnership between the Seattle Housing Authority, King County Housing Authority and a group of leading national social science researchers. The pilot demonstrated that the specific set of enhanced services, referred to as mobility-related services, are effective in removing the barriers that have prevented families with children from using their voucher to rent in neighborhoods with higher opportunity factors.

SHA is one of only seven housing authorities in the country to receive funds from HUD under this Housing Mobility-Related Services award.

“This award affirms the success of our Creating Moves to Opportunity mobility program, and we are thrilled to receive this HUD funding knowing it will enable us to make a life-changing difference for many more families working to create a bright future for their children,” said Alice Kimbowa, SHA Director of Rental Assistance Programs.