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APHA board seeks to shorten vacancy turnaround by changing rental selection process
Summary
APHA staff proposed removing 'longest work history' as the primary selection criterion for APHA-managed rentals and instead using sign-up windows with randomized allocation to reduce vacancies; the change would not affect private-sector landlord tenant choices.
APHA board representatives told council they are proposing to replace the current 'longest work history' priority for option-managed rental allocation with a short sign-up window and randomized selection among registrants. The change grew from operational difficulties: staff said relying on work-history processing led to delays and units sitting vacant while APHA processed offers. The proposed process would allow anyone who signs up during a defined window to receive one chance in that drawing; applicants with longer work histories would still receive additional chances under a graduated table.
Council members generally supported measures to reduce vacancy time but raised questions about how the change would interact with ownership lotteries and private landlord practices. Staff clarified the proposal applies only to APHA-managed rental units (not to privately owned rentals that merely accept APHA-qualified tenants), and the board emphasized safeguards such as pre-inspection and contracted timelines to reduce lottery non-performance.
