Mainstream Housing Vouchers

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Mainstream Housing Vouchers

• in Virginias Thomas Jefferson Planning District

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Partnership between

• 2 private non-profits
• The Arc of the Piedmont
• Piedmont Housing Alliance
• 1 Public Housing Authority
• Charlottesville Housing and Redevelopment
  Authority

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The Arc of the Piedmonts Role

• Technical assistance throughout the process
• Staffing of application centers
• Translation services
• Sensitivity and skills training

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Piedmont Housing Alliances Role

• Funding application
• Program application process
• Focus groups
• Advertising
• Financial management
• Cutting checks
• Preparing budget
• Overall coordination

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Charlottesville Housing Redevelopment Authoritys
Role

• Administrative plan
• Application processing
• Eligibility verification
• Managing waiting list
• Rent calculations
• Housing inspections
• Voucher issuance and briefing
• Educating landlords

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Timeline

• October 2001 100 Leased Up
• July 2000 Lease-up begun
• June 2000 Administrative Plan adopted
• April 2000 Began accepting applications

• March 2000 Advertised and mailed applications
  to service agencies
• February 2000 Signed Memorandum of Agreement
  and held Focus Groups
• December 1999 Notified of Award of 75 vouchers
  for 5 years
• June 1999 Submitted Application

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Who is being served?
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Keys to Success

• Partnership
• 75 Vouchers
• Outreach to regional community and landlords
• Housing Authority expertise
• The Arcs input on hiring CRHA position
• Flexible regulatory definitions of eligible
  housing (congregate, group and shared)

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Challenges

• Lack of affordable rental housing
• Apartment complexes have income qualifications
  that Section 8 participants cannot meet
• Landlords not accepting vouchers
• Lack of accessible housing
• HUD resources and guidance
• Program implementation
• Reporting requirements
• Training opportunities in collaboration

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Focus groups with advocates and individuals with
  disabilities
• Identified current and potential barriers
• Identified possible application sites
• Helped spread the word

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Preliminary Application
• Language and format simplified
• Verification not required until later
• Pick up or mail

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Designated Representative
• Permitted to submit application on behalf of
  individual
• Eased obstacles
• Transportation
• Daytime availability
• Discomfort with crowds/unfamiliar locations

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Translation/Interpretation services
• Available at application site and at any point in
  process
• For persons who have hearing impairment
• For persons who have speech difficulties
• For persons with cognitive disabilities

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Housing Authority staff partnered with advocate
  staff at each application site
• Provided assistance to applicants and accepting
  staff

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Flexible in receipt of completed application
• Mailed
• Dropped off
• Picked up

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Applicant and Designated Representative contacted
  for interview, etc.
• To facilitate transportation and other supports
• To assist with meeting documentation and timeline
  requirements

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Alternate Forms of documentation accepted to
  verify age and/or disability
• School
• Paratransit
• Hospital/institution
• Community program

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Waived face to face interview
• Conducted interviews at applicants
  home/school/work

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Reasonable Accommodations

• Administrative Plan extended time applicant had
  for certain requirements
• Allow for greater extension, past 120 days, for
  individual to find housing if demonstrated need