Moving to Work Expansion

Our Moving to Work (Mtw) Plan is open for public comment from:
August 18 through October 1, 2021.

All plan elements can be read below or requested in print at any HRHA office.

MtW Plan Elements

Provide Public Comment

MtW Changes

Below is a summary of major changes HRHA is pursuing with our MtW designation. Need more explanation or clarity? Call the main office and request a call back to schedule a conversation with an HCV specialist: 540 – 434 – 7386.

Certifications

  • Residents and participants will only need a certification every three years instead of every year.
  • Residents and participants will no longer need to report changes in income (unless increase from zero income).
    • Increased earnings will not impact rent until the next three-year certification.
    • Income decreases can result in a rent change once per calendar year.
  • HRHA will simplify the utility allowance schedule.
  • HRHA will accept self-certification for assets under $50,000.

Rent Policies

  • HRHA will increase the elderly/disabled allowance.
  • HRHA will eliminate deductions for medical expenses (hardship exemptions allowed).
  • HRHA will eliminate childcare deductions (hardship exemptions allowed).
  • Income for household dependents 20 and younger will not be counted in rent calculation.
  • Minimum household rent will increase from $50 to $100.
  • HRHA will increase participant rent responsibility from 30% to 35% of adjusted income.

Franklin Heights: 

  • Residents must reside in Franklin Heights two years to be eligible for portability (increased from one year).

Increasing Affordable Housing

  • We will offer security deposit assistance, one month’s rent for empty units, and more to participating landlords.
  • We will provide help in searching for housing, including one-on-one support in locating affordable rentals.
  • We will eliminate the procurement process for HRHA-owned units to reduce cost and increase efficiencies.

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program

  • We will replace the current escrow/savings program with an incentive-based program. Escrow will be earned through accomplishing a variety of goal related activities like budgeting, obtaining higher education, participating in FSS events, increasing income. 
  • We will continue transitioning towards a coaching-driven case management model that values participant goal setting, collaboration, and empowerment.
  • We will provide extension of FSS services to participants for up to 6 months AFTER they graduate FSS.

Project-based Voucher

  •  Increase the flexibility to project-base voucher (PBV) rental assistance.  Up to 50% (maximum amount allowed)

    This flexibility will allow HRHA to expand the number of vouchers available to project base, which will increase the number of housing options and units available for those with extremely low income. This change will allow for increased access for hard to find units, such as accessible one bedroom units.

    HRHA anticipates it will allow for the development of additional permanent supportive housing units.  It will also increase administrative efficiencies for HRHA and allow tenants to be housed more quickly when appropriate units are available.

  • Remove the limits to the number of PBV units in property buildings.

    Removing these limits will allow HRHA to increase the number of units within a building without HUD approval.  It will provide for more flexible use of housing units and increased choice for tenants. This change will increase the number of units available for extremely low income individuals needing deep rental assistance. 

     

What is Moving to Work (MtW) Designation?

HRHA has been selected to participate in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) cohort #1 of the Moving to Work expansion. Participation in the MtW expansion allows HRHA to develop local policies to meet MtW objectives, as well as flexibility on some spending.

HRHA Motivations: 

  • Reduce time and burden on residents, participants, and HRHA staff.
  • Increase participant self-sufficiency.
  • Simplify housing processes and calculations.
  • Expand housing opportunities & assistance.

What Moving to Work Designation IS:

  • Opportunities for HRHA and HUD to design and test approaches for providing and administering housing assistance. This means direct policy changes that impact all levels of our agency.
  • MtW provides flexibility on spending and policy-making to make changes to better expand housing choice and participant self-sufficiency.

What Moving to Work Designation is NOT: 

  • MTW does not mean less oversight and transparency. MtW agencies remain subject to the full range of HUD monitoring, oversight, and evaluation efforts. Public comment, input from residents and participants, and community collaboration is requested throughout the process.
    HRHA adopts local policies and program changes –> HUD evaluates the overall impacts of the changes.
  • MTW does not include program-wide employment requirements! While we will aim to increase opportunities for resident and participant self-sufficiency we are NOT pursuing program-wide employment requirements.
  • MTW does not mean cutting the number of households we serve. MTW requirements include continuing to assist substantially the same total number of families

Provide Feedback: Public & Community Partners

Submit feedback via our online FEEDBACK FORM

Provide comment on the MtW plan at the August Public Hearing:

August 18: 4:00pm to 5:30pm at City Chambers (409 South Main St, Harrisonburg)
In person: Please adhere to posted guidelines regarding COVID safety.
For interpretation services, accessibility questions, or to watch live see: https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/agendas

Email your comments or questions about the MtW plan directly to our Executive Director Michael Wong 

Michael Wong: wongway@harrisonburgrha.com

What’s the Process?

  • Fall 2020

    Initial MtW Application and Stakeholder Feedback

    HRHA received invitation from HUD August 28, 2020 to submit MtW Proposal and full application. Community outreach and stakeholder engagement was conducted including surveys, focus groups, call in opportunities, in-person meetings, and more. Application is approved by the Board and submitted to HUD December 4, 2020.

  • January 8 2021

    HRHA receives notice of MtW application approval

  • February - April 2021

    Staff form working groups to refine proposed MtW changes

    HRHA Staff used feedback from Fall 2020 and conversations with Housing Authorities across the country to formulate initial MtW changes.

  • May - June 2021

    Stakeholder Engagement Campaign

    Check below for opportunities to learn more about our changes and provide input.

  • August 18 through October 1, 2021

    45 Day Public Comment Period

Additional Information

MtW Objectives 

Cost Effectiveness: Improve efficiency, reduce costs, leverage other funds, changes in staffing & resources
Self Sufficiency: Incentivize employment and self sufficiency for voucher households
Housing Choice: Increase mobility and access to address housing quality, neighborhood safety, access to community resources, and supportive services

* Objectives set by statute

MtW Case Studies 

Click here to be taken to HUD’s website to see what other Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have done with the MTW flexibility.