Moving to Work (MTW) Keene Housing Authority

General Information

The Keene Housing Authority (KHA) implemented the SPECTRUM Housing Program under the Moving to Work Demonstration. The program included a greatly expanded Family Self-Sufficiency program, stepped ceiling rents, and an integrated Section 8 program with stepped rental assistance. KHA's MTW program began April 21, 1999.

Status

The MTW program has positiviely impacted residents, with a significant increase in average income.

Goals

The goal of Keene's MTW program is to give residents incentives to find and retain employment, while offering more resident involvement in programs.

• Provide affordable housing for the neediest in the community.
• Remove disincentives from those seeking employment.
• Provide stability in housing costs for those with static income.
• Provide extensive case management and coordination of services to address the needs of residents.
• Maximize use of increasingly scarce financial resources.

Agreement

Self-sufficiency Policies

A key feature of the SPECTRUM program is the Resident Self-Reliance program, which assists residents in their efforts to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Resident Self-Reliance (RSR) staff conduct assessments with residents and design individual agreements that will establish a set of goals. Residents and participants attend Quarterly Goal Setting meetings. The SPECTRUM competencies for Self Sufficiency are:

• Employment
• Banking Skills
• Understanding Credit and Reducing Debt
• Investing and Savings
• Homeownership
• Education
• Family Planning
• Healthy Relationships
• Wellness
• Interpersonal Skills
• Household Management

Rent Policies

• KHA has a step rent policy, under which families pay flat amounts for specific periods of time.
• Voucher participants may have the monthly HAP payment made to the participant or the landlord.
• Voucher owners can self-certify compliance with HQS or can have a KHA inspection.

Resident Survey

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