Title
Resolution to Amend Chapter 5 of the Administrative Plan Regarding Voucher Terms and Extensions
Memorandum
Staff recommend amending Chapter 5 of the Administrative Plan: Briefings and Voucher Issuance to update Section 5-II-E: Voucher Term and Extensions.
When applicants are pulled off the waitlist, they work with AAHC staff to provide all of the HUD required documentation to ensure that they are eligible and qualified to receive a voucher. Then they are given an educational briefing by AAHC staff to explain how the voucher program works. Then the applicant is issued a voucher and the voucher must state when the voucher must be utilized before it expires. HUD requires the initial voucher term to be at least 60 days but HUD allows Housing Authorities to adopt policies that are longer than 60 days. Staff recommend, amending the administrative plan to change the initial voucher term from 60 days to 180 days and to allow extensions beyond the 180 days to 240 days as a reasonable accommodation for persons with a disability or in extenuating circumstances that are beyond the control of the household.
This change will reduce stress and administrative burden on tenants who are searching for housing in a difficult housing market and it will reduce the administrative burden on staff that have to process extension requests in 30-day increments after the initial 60-day voucher term expires under the current policy.
Proposal #1
Current PHA Policy related to the Voucher Term and Extensions
5-II-E. OVERVIEW
Voucher Term
Voucher Term [24 CFR 982.303]
The initial term of a voucher must be at least 60 calendar days. The initial term must be stated on the voucher [24 CFR 982.303(a)].
PHA Policy
The initial voucher term will be 60 calendar days.
The family must submit a Request for Tenancy Approval and proposed lease within the 60-day period unless the PHA grants an extension.
The family must move-in a new unit within the term of the voucher and any ap...
Click here for full text