Housing Alliance: vouchers steady through June 2026 as agency expands property portfolio

Jared Mangum, executive director of the Housing Alliance and Community Partnerships, told the Pocatello City Council work session that the agency has preserved current operations despite a national funding shortfall and has several local projects under way.

Mangum said the authority has stopped leasing new vouchers and reduced voucher payments to 97% of Fair Market Rent after HUD funding did not meet earlier projections. “We are funded through June 2026 with what we currently have,” he said.

The agency highlighted recent acquisitions and repairs: purchase of the 805 North Main “Convergence” building, land in the city’s triangle development area, and energy-efficiency work at Portneuf Towers that yielded about $56,000 in rebates from Idaho Power for LED upgrades at the 72-unit structure. Mangum said the authority won a national recognition for the 805 North Main project and will accept an award on behalf of the city and the housing authority.

Mangum said the authority increased leased vouchers last year but that a projected funding increase did not materialize, leaving the agency to work with HUD’s shortfall process; he said the authority did receive about $413,000 in shortfall funds. He explained limits on moving voucher funds between HUD program streams and said mainstream vouchers are currently out of shortfall while other voucher categories remain constrained.

On local development, Mangum said the authority plans about 40 new units at 805 North Main and hopes to build additional two- and three‑story infill units in the triangle area to provide more affordable options. “So we're looking at doing it in phases...by 6 months you'll probably see the bistro up. You'll probably see some other things and maybe phase 1 completed,” he said, describing a staggered build-and-lease approach to create early revenue.

Mangum also described steps the authority has taken to reduce operating expenses — buying a plow truck and a mini excavator to limit contractor costs — and new on-site security measures after thefts of trailers and equipment. He noted a partnership with mobile health providers to reach tenants who have trouble accessing care and said the authority has increased rental rates on some units to roughly 80% of FMR to fund property upkeep and capital repairs.

Council members asked about voucher geography and county coverage. Mangum said he is investigating whether the agency’s geographic service area was narrowed by an agreement and reported conflicting information from HUD and the state housing agency; he asked the city to help research whether the authority’s voucher area should cover Bannock County rather than being limited to Pocatello plus five miles.

The update contained no formal council action; staff and council members asked for follow-up information about the housing authority’s service area and the timing and phasing of the 805 North Main development.