Housing Search Assistance - Welfare to Work Vouchers

Why Help WtW Families Search for Housing?

Assisting families in locating and leasing units is a crucial first step to administering a successful WtW voucher program. Families will need housing search assistance to secure stable, affordable housing as quickly as possible. This assistance can also help families think through important issues regarding housing location, such as proximity to employment centers, public transportation, child care centers, and schools.

In addition to the direct benefits for the participating families, housing search assistance is also cost-effective for PHAs. PHAs cannot earn the administrative fee needed to operate the program until a unit is leased and under HAP contract. By informing families about WtW program rules and PHA expectations, and by assisting them during the housing search and leasing processes, the PHA increases its ability to meet the program's leasing schedule.

Through special programs such as HUD's Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing Demonstration (MTO) and Regional Opportunity Counseling (ROC), PHAs have made great strides in understanding and addressing the needs of families in search of housing.

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