Moving to Work (MTW) - Philadelphia Housing Authority

General Information

Established in 1937, the Housing Authority of the City of Philadelphia (PHA) is the nation's fourth largest public housing authority. PHA houses over 70,000 residents in approximately 20,000 units, and an additional 12,500 families through the Section 8 Voucher Program. PHA also manages Homeownership programs. PHA's MTW program began February 28, 2002.

Status

PHA has implemented a comprehensive MTW program designed to take advantage of MTW flexibilities throughout all facets of its operations.

Goals

The PHA will use the MTW program to achieve the following objectives:

1. Achieve excellence in property management.
2. Achieve excellence in management of the Housing Choice Voucher Program and enforce program compliance.
3. Develop affordable quality housing that supports balanced communities.
4. Implement public safety programs that promote the well-being of neighborhoods and accountability of program participants.
5. Engage other institutions to leverage resources and assist in promoting economic enhancement.
6. Improve productivity and cost effectiveness of PHA operations.
7. Expand intergovernmental initiatives.

Agreement

	Amended and Restated MTW Agreement
	Original MTW Agreement
	MTW Agreement Amendment #1

Rent Policies

PHA implemented a rent simplification program that is based on family size, decreases the percentage of income paid toward rent, and provides incentives for resident savings.

Occupancy Policies

1. PHA amended its definition of elderly (as currently defined by HUD regulations) to include applicants/residents no younger than 55 years old. All families in public housing and Section 8 are considered MTW families, with the exception of some specialized public housing programs.
2. PHA implemented a seven year time limit for non-elderly/non-disabled HCV participants.

Self-sufficiency Policies

PHA will provide comprehensive Family Self-Sufficiency and other support services to expedite residents' economic self-sufficiency and decrease residents' dependence on housing assistance. Extra focus is placed on the HCV participants who are time limited in the receipt of subsidy through the mandatory Family Economic Development Action Plan.

Program Activities

PHA established several new programs to serve its residents, including:

• A Leased Housing Program to replace the conventional Section 8 program. PHA intends to direct rental assistance at a level that insures the availability of, and private investment in quality housing throughout the city of Philadelphia.
  
• An investigatory and enforcement staff to insure that both landlords and tenants are complying with the terms of the lease.
  
• Neighborhood revitalization activities to ensure the continued availability of affordable housing in quality neighborhoods.
  
• Activities that facilitate home ownership for Section 8 Local Leased Housing Program participants.
  
• Simplification of process for Unit Based Leased Housing Program Subsidy for units owned by PHA, a PHA subsidiary, or units owned by non-profit and for-profit entities. All units in this program must meet HQS standards.

Funding-related Issues

The PHA MTW program combines its noncompetitive funding into a single block grant. This single block grant will merge its operating subsidies, capital funds and tenant-based Section 8 assistance for the purpose of improving resident quality of life and maintaining the financial health of PHA.

PHA consolidates budget submissions into one Annual MTW Plan prior to the start of each fiscal year and consolidates various yearly reports into one MTO Annual Report at the end of each fiscal year. These reports are submitted respectively at the beginning and conclusion of the program year and are evaluated by HUD throughout the term of the MTW Agreement.

Support

Philadelphia Regional Office
Office of Public Housing
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3380
(215) 861-7596
F (215) 656-3424
Dennis Bellingtier, Director
Dennis.G.Bellingtier@hud.gov

Contact

Philadelphia Housing Authority
125 South 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 684-4171
http://www.pha.phila.gov

MTW Contact Staff
Carl R. Greene, Executive Director
Primary Contact
(215) 684-4174
F (215) 684-4163
carl.greene@pha.phila.gov