Moving to Work (MTW) - Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority

General Information

The Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA) administers 305 units of public housing, 1,100 tenant-based MTW vouchers, and 190 units of Section 8 moderate rehabilitation housing. PMHA has named its MTW program "Housing Opportunities Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency," or HOPES. PMHA's MTW program began March 15, 1999.

Status

PMHA has implemented all policies developed for HOPES, except some relocation of single, elderly residents into studio apartments, and the introduction of market-value security deposit.

Currently, all public housing residents and more than two thirds of voucher residents are participants in the program.

Goals

PMHA articulated seven goals for its MTW program:

• Increase the share of residents who are working.
• Increase the share of residents making progress towards self-sufficiency.
• Increase homeownership among residents.
• Achieve greater income mix in project-based programs.
• Increase the number of assisted housing units.
• Reduce and/or reallocate administrative, operational, and/or maintenance costs.
• Increase rent revenues from tenants.

Agreement

	Amended and Restated MTW Agreement
	Original MTW Agreement
	Original MTW Agreement Amendment #1
	Original MTW Agreement Amendment #2
	Original MTW Agreement One Year Extension
	Original MTW Amendment #3

Best Practices

PMHA has used MTW as a vehicle to improve its relationships with the entire Portage County community. Specifically, it has involved local service providers, real estate officials, local developers, legal aid, and Cleveland Area Field Office, residents, and local government officials in its planning process.

Rent Policies

PMHA's rent structure plan pertains to all public housing, and non-elderly and non-disabled Section 8 families. PMHA's rent policies include:

• Mandatory Rent
• Phased Rent Increases for Increases in Employment Income
• Dependent Child Deduction
• Income Disregards
• Employment Deduction
• Rent Adjustments for Sanctioned Welfare Recipients
• Ceiling Rents

• Deductions for families with minor children are capped at $960, with the exception of current residents who previously exceeded that amount. All residents are required to pay a mandatory rent of $25; however, no tenant pays rent in excess of 30% of their adjusted gross income. Any amount exceeding 30% of their income is offset by a utility reimbursement check.
  
• All security deposits are equal to one month's rent or a minimum of $200.
• PMHA establishes a minimum income level for public housing families with zero income for longer than a three-month period. Exceptions are made for families terminated from welfare assistance due to the time limit requirement. These families may report zero income indefinitely without a minimum income assignment, but will be charged the $25 minimum rent.
• Single-family scattered site units have ceiling rents established at the Fair Market Rent and are adjusted by the appropriate utility allowance.
• Interest income from bank assets and payments for overtime or bonuses are excluded from the income calculation.
• PMHA's MTW program offers three types of deductions: medical, employment, and educational.
• For employed residents, PMHA implemented the Section 8 STEP Program, which includes the Incentive HAP and the Extended Rent Limit. The Incentive HAP is set at $75 for two-bedroom units and $100 for three-bedroom or four-bedroom units. Tenants will pay 30% of their gross income for rent. However, as income rises and the HAP decreases, the HAP will be capped at either $75 or $100 per month, depending on the bedroom size.
• The Extended Rent Limit is a cap to the contract rent, which is set at 120% of Fair Market Rent.

Occupancy Policies

• PMHA modified its public housing and Section 8 occupancy regulations to use housing as an incentive for families to work and make economic progress.

• Families committed to work receive priority for housing and may apply to transfer to scattered site housing.

• PMHA maintains a separate waiting list for designated special supportive service-based housing.
• PMHA takes applicants from its public housing waiting list based on date and time of application and local residency preferences. Applicants on the public housing waiting list are not eligible to reside in scattered site units upon initial entry.

Self-sufficiency Policies

• PMHA offers intensive self-sufficiency support services and case management services for residents at its transitional public housing site. Families who become more self-sufficient and require less intensive case management can move to more desirable housing through the "Step Up" program.
• PMHA also offers homeownership opportunities to public housing residents and voucher participants who earn 80 percent of the area median income. Resident homeownership is limited. PMHA collaborates with Neighborhood Works to secure homeownership opportunities for their MTW participants. To date, 8 public housing households have benefited from the Section 8 homeownership program.

Funding-related Issues

• PMHA implemented funding changes to promote greater flexibility, which include the use of Comprehensive Grant funds for Section 8 management improvements to the extent the funds are available.
• PMHA made a public housing community space expansion. A unit will be available for resident use at each of its five public housing sites for family and supportive services. A subsidy will be retained for those units.
  

Support

Contact

Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority
2832 State Route 59
Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 297-1489
F (330)297-6295