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Section 8 director outlines voucher performance and new FSS grant to boost earnings
Summary
Peekskill’s Section 8 presenter reported 582 vouchers in use, an 80% leasing success rate for newly issued vouchers, and described a new $56,280 HUD Family Self‑Sufficiency grant to hire a full‑time coordinator and enroll 25 participants to help families build escrowed savings as incomes rise.
Jessica, presenting the City of Peekskill’s Section 8 budget, provided utilization and leasing metrics and outlined an award to start a Family Self‑Sufficiency (FSS) program.
"As of 10/01/2024, our current voucher utilization is 582 vouchers," Jessica said, and she reported that 48% of families leased within 30 days while about 10% required 91–120 days to lease. She said the office’s leasing success rate is about 80% — notably above a national average she cited (52%). Jessica said turnover is low (about 7%, mostly due to moves or deaths) and emphasized that much of the program’s increased cost in recent years came from changes in fair‑market payment standards and participants returning to work.
Jessica described a new HUD award of $56,280 to establish an FSS coordinator position and an FSS program with an initial enrollment target of 25 participants: "The primary goal is to support families in achieving greater financial self sufficiency," she said. The program will create an escrow account that accumulates the portion of rent share increases as a household’s income rises; participants who complete the five‑year contract can use the escrow for debt reduction, a home purchase, a business start‑up or other approved uses.
Councilors asked about office language capacity and move logistics; Jessica said no staff currently speak Spanish in the office but the department uses a language line and plans to hire a Spanish‑speaking housing inspector. She confirmed office relocation costs and a rental line are included in the budget and said the move will proceed once internet service is confirmed.
What’s next: staff will proceed with the FSS grant implementation steps, prepare a HUD action plan and add a budget line for the FSS coordinator after the FSS action plan is approved.
