Housing authority holds public hearing on 2026 Move to Work plan, outlines new requirements for tenants

The Volusia County Housing Authority held a public hearing Nov. 11 on its 2026 Move to Work (MTW) supplement, where Executive Director Teresa summarized 14 program activities the authority says will streamline administration and encourage self‑sufficiency for non‑elderly, non‑disabled households.

Teresa told the board the authority has already implemented many changes in 2023 and 2024, citing examples such as a minimum rent increase for working, able‑bodied families from $50 to $130 per month and a move to flat utility allowances by bedroom size. "Any working able‑bodied families have to pay $130 a month rent if they're coming in," Teresa said. She added the flat utility allowance reduces administrative burden.

Among items Teresa listed as part of the MTW supplement were elimination of some household deductions (while retaining medical deductions for elderly and disabled households), ending monthly utility reimbursement checks (which the ED said reduced administrative costs), and expanding tenant self‑certification of assets from $5,000 to $50,000.

The authority also raised payment standards to allow up to 120% of HUD fair market rent, Teresa said, to give families more housing choice in a tight rental market. She described a move to a triennial full recertification schedule (implemented on a rolling basis beginning in 2023) and an aligned inspection schedule every three years when full recertification occurs.

Teresa said MTW authority enabled the housing authority to project‑base a larger share of vouchers for specific developments; she cited Greenlawn Manor as a project that used a higher project‑based voucher share. The board was also told a work requirement for working‑able adults — excluding elderly and disabled residents — will require at least 15 hours per week at minimum wage for participation and is slated to be implemented in 2025.

Family Self‑Sufficiency (FSS) participation will become mandatory for non‑elderly, non‑disabled families on Feb. 1, Teresa said, and the authority plans to ask HUD to modify the current five‑year contract of participation used in the FSS program. The supplement also introduces a nine‑year participation term limit that aligns with proposed FSS contract changes, she said.

Teresa framed the changes as part of a larger strategy to promote stability and work outcomes while improving administrative efficiency. The public hearing concluded with the ED saying the board will return for formal action on the supplement at a December meeting (the ED referenced upcoming board action in December and a separate meeting for approval).