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Housing Authority staff propose lowering voucher payment standards to shore up budget and serve more households
Summary
Staff proposed reducing the Housing Authority of Washington County’s voucher payment standards to about 95–97% of fair market rent, a change they project could save up to $1.1 million annually, absorb emergency housing vouchers and allow the authority to serve roughly 50 households from its waiting list. Staff acknowledged some households will face higher cost burdens and outlined a phased implementation with targeted outreach.
The Housing Authority of Washington County’s rental assistance staff recommended lowering the agency’s housing choice voucher payment standards to reduce a looming funding shortfall and expand capacity for emergency vouchers.
"We are deciding to reduce our payment standards to help the ability of both our cost effectiveness," said Liz Morris, rental assistance division manager. She said staff modeled multiple scenarios and plan to set a new schedule that averages about 96% of HUD fair market rents.
Staff told the advisory committee the change would reduce annual housing assistance payment costs by up to $1.1 million (about $47.51 per voucher on average) and could free…
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