Supportive Housing and PHA (Housing Commission) Toolkit

Corporation for Supportive Housing presented a toolkit for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) at a session during the 2013 Building Michigan Communities Conference. The PHA toolkit is a website for PHAs and those interested in working with a PHA on supportive housing: http://www.csh.org/phatoolkit

The toolkit is incredibly useful for PHAs that are considering improving their housing choice voucher program, implementing project-based vouchers, partnering with other organizations that will provide supportive services or co-opting best practices from other PHAs that have unique approaches (such as housing development, coordinated funding, sponsor-based subsidies, etc.). The toolkit covers more than this, so it is worthwhile to take a look.

If you are an organization or service provider interested in working with a PHA, the toolkit will give you background information that will help you start collaborating. The information from CSH’s presentation below will also give you a sense for what the local PHA needs when you meet with them, depending on what your goals are.

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Tenant-based Vouchers

What are you asking for? Reduced screening criteria Flexible intake procedures Preferences for chronically homeless households

What does your PHA need? Good utilization rates Strong landlord relationships High scores on NOFA applications Reliable partner tenants can contact for services. PHAs overcome barriers to secure Section 8 units; they do not want to lose them because the landlord had a bad experience with tenants who needed additional support but couldn’t reach their service provider.

What do you bring to the table?

• Help with paperwork
• Housing search assistance
• Services for tenants and landlords
• Super-NOFA credentials
• Grant writers

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Project-based Vouchers

What are you asking for? Subsidized single-site housing in new developments or in existing housing

What does your PHA need? PBV for other initiatives Services to exceed 25% cap Relationships with funders

What do you bring to the table?

• Connections to other funders and local planners
• Help with paperwork
• Expertise in defining, providing and funding services
• Advocacy

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Public Housing

What are you asking for? Preferences (set-asides) Preferences for homeless

What does your PHA need? Stable communities Services for seniors and disabled tenants Eviction prevention

What do you bring to the table?

• On-site activities
• Mental health services
• Good will
• Advocacy