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East Haven housing authority reports voucher use and flags HUD rule changes that could affect local programs
Summary
At its Jan. 12 meeting, the East Haven Housing Authority heard from Director Rich Coppola that 48 Housing Choice Vouchers are in use (47 in town, 1 ported to Springfield, MA) and that multiple HUD updates — from FMR calculations to census-tract designations — could change funding and developer incentives.
East Haven Housing Authority Director Rich Coppola reported at the Jan. 12, 2026 meeting that 48 Housing Choice Vouchers were currently in use, with 47 holders residing in East Haven and one voucher ported to Springfield, Massachusetts. Coppola said the authority also has 59 portability clients from other jurisdictions leased up in East Haven.
Coppola told the board the authority must work with its property manager, Imagineers, to complete the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) certification required under HUD notice PIH 2001-6 within 60 days of the fiscal year end. He said Imagineers later confirmed that a voucher previously recorded as missing in October was issued on Jan. 13, 2026 to the next person on the wait list and that the intake packet and issuance letter were sent.
The director summarized several federal changes for 2026 that could affect local affordable housing operations: updates to Home Investment Partnership Program value limits and Housing Trust Fund caps; new Qualified Census Tract and Difficult Development Area designations that affect Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocations; revisions to Annual Adjustment Factors used to calculate Fair Market Rents (FMRs); and a proposed Utility Inflation Factor for FY 2027 that would use CPI utilities data when setting FMRs. Coppola said these changes could affect voucher payment standards, developer incentives and program budgeting at the local level.
The authority also noted its current performance designation: Coppola reported East Haven Housing Authority remains classified as a "High Performer" under HUD measures for the period cited.
Meeting actions: The board approved the Oct. 20, 2025 meeting minutes after Commissioner Anthony Moscato moved to approve and Barbara Natarajan seconded; the motion carried with all in favor and none opposed. At the close of the meeting, Moscato moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and carried.
The authority set its quarterly 2026 meeting schedule and will forward five resident-elector nominees for the Fair Rent Commission to the Town Council for consideration at its February meeting.
