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Ashland discusses raising Housing Choice Voucher payment standards; commission delays final action
Summary
City staff reported the assisted‑housing program is aiming for 500 vouchers by 2026; commissioners debated raising payment standards to 105%–110% of HUD rates to retain landlords and stabilize leasing, but no final vote was taken.
City officials told the Board of City Commissioners on Nov. 20 that the Community & Economic Development assisted‑housing program is pursuing a goal of issuing 500 Housing Choice Vouchers to Ashland families by 2026.
Director Pullum said staffing problems and a server issue reduced lease‑up activity earlier in the year but that staff issued 44 vouchers on Nov. 4 and completed eight inspections this week, moving the program toward a baseline of about 487 participants before November. Pullum said staff plans a tenant briefing in December to issue roughly 20 additional vouchers and reach the 500‑voucher goal.
Commissioners pressed staff on payment standards, noting that other local housing agencies are using up to 110% of HUD payment standards and that Ashland’s lower rates can make leasing harder and reduce administrative fee revenue. Pullum said HUD locks existing participants into current rates for two years and that any change would affect only new program entrants; he offered to return with revised options to increase standards to 105% or 110% for the board’s consideration. No final vote was taken during the Nov. 20 meeting; commissioners instructed staff to prepare updated fiscal notes and bring the revised ordinance back for consideration.
