January 2001 Leasing Report - Welfare to Work Vouchers

Summary of Leasing Report

1. As of February 1, 2001, 93% of WtW vouchers program-wide have been issued to eligible families and 66% have been leased.
   
   
2. Information collected from the monthly telephone calls to the 132 WtW voucher sites indicates that:
   
   
• 110 sites (83%) have issued 100% or more of their voucher allocation. 
• 56 sites (42%) have leased 75% or more of their voucher allocation.
• 28 sites (21%) have leased 100% or more of their voucher allocation.


3. Data on progress achieved during January, 2001 shows a 3% increase in vouchers issued, and a 10% increase in vouchers leased over figures for December 2000. Similar improvements were recorded between November 2000 and December 2000. 
   
   
4. A spreadsheet is also attached that lists the WtW sites (ordered alphabetically by State) that have issued 100% or more and leased 75% or more of their vouchers as of February 1, 2001.

Issuance and Leasing Progress

Summary of Successful Program Techniques

The following descriptions highlight some successful WtW voucher program techniques noted in the January leasing report to HUD.

Employment and training services

• Prichard County Housing Authority (AL) has partnered with Norrell Temporary Services to help test and place WtW clients with potential employers.  PCHA also tracks client employment search efforts and then provides additional employment leads as appropriate.  In addition, PCHA uses a van service to provide transportation to those with job interviews.
  
  
• Walker County Housing Authority (AL) has partnered with their local TANF Agency to administer a Prep Program for clients working their way off of welfare.  While clients attend school, the TANF agency locates employment opportunities that will provide them with employment experience as they complete their coursework.
  
  
• City of Amarillo Housing Authority (TX) has requested status updates of all non-working WtW voucher participants, including work history and needed services.  Upon receipt of the updates, staff from the City and the Workforce center will interview participants, work with them to develop job search plans, and ask them to sign a contract of participation.  Texas workforce commission staff will then track participant progress and follow up as needed.

Partnerships and supportive services

• City of Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NY) partners with nine community agencies to provide services ranging from literacy and job training to childcare and transportation (including transportation for persons with disabilities). 
  
  
• City of Amarillo Housing Authority (TX) is participating in its local Workforce Development Board’s working committee on welfare to work issues.  The goal of this committee is to improve collaboration between agencies and organizations dealing with WtW issues and to find ways to spend remaining funds more effectively. 
  
  
• Texoma Council of Governments (Fanning and Grayson Co.) (TX) has worked with Haverty’s Furniture to obtain a furniture donation approximating $6,000 for the FSS/WtW voucher program.  After a WtW voucher participant requested the donation, Haverty’s agreed to donate furniture to that individual as well as to other program participants.  TCOG is now seeking additional furniture donations from other retailers.

Housing search assistance and landlord outreach

• Billings Housing Authority (MT) staff requires clients to use a contact sheet to document their housing search efforts.  WtW clients then report to the BHA every two weeks to discuss their progress.  The staff uses this system to monitor client needs for additional support in locating suitable housing.
  
  
• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) sponsors a landlord outreach unit that has successfully attracted additional landlords to the Section 8 program.  As part of their program, NYCHA pays landlords holding fees to compensate for the time required to process a Section 8 unit.  The staff also pays “finders fees” to brokers that successfully locate willing landlords with units suitable for the Section 8 program.