Subsidy and Grants Information Systems (SAGIS)

The Subsidy and Grants Information System (SAGIS) project automates formula-based and competitive processes for allocating program funds to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). SAGIS is being implemented to support the business process program areas in the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH). These areas are: Operating Fund, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Capital Fund, Office of Native American Programs (ONAP), and the Grants Management Center (GMC). In addition, SAGIS will support the PIH Budget Office, Field Offices, Grants.gov intake, and PHAs.

SAGIS is a key priority for PIH because it will automate the delivery and management of over $22 billion of subsidy allocation. SAGIS includes the intake and evaluation of applications, the calculation of subsidies, the administration of program contracts, and the allocation of funds to housing agencies, residence groups, tribes, and non-profit organizations. The programs to be automated through SAGIS will assist more than three million low-income families and allocate two thirds of HUD's annual appropriation each year.

SAGIS Goals

The goals of SAGIS are to:

• reduce paperwork;
• decrease redundant processes;
• reduce overlapping functions;
• support important program functions and program requirements; and
• aggregate data across lines of business to support decision-making.

Importance of SAGIS

PIH requires a more efficient way to allocate and manage PHA subsidy payments. PIH currently uses multiple systems, stand-alone applications, and manual processes. These "cuff" systems do not support a seamless online application submission and review process. They are inefficient, fail to support other business functions, use obsolete technologies that are expensive to maintain, are costly to modify to reflect changes in program requirements, and are not user-friendly. This current way of conducting business is heavily reliant on the institutional knowledge of HUD staff. The continued reliance on individual efforts places HUD at risk if these individuals retire or transfer.

Key Benefits of SAGIS

The successful implementation of SAGIS will result in the following business benefits and improved capabilities to achieve SAGIS' goals:

• automation of manual processes used to manage subsidy allocations
• streamlined support of important program requirements;
• reusable modules developed for all PIH program areas impacted by SAGIS to help manage subsidy allocations in PIH;
• improved accuracy of transactions and subsidy payments;
• enhanced decision-making; and
• improved timeliness or reduction in cycle time.

Overall, SAGIS will provide an efficient system for managing the funding lifecycle of a project.