REGULATORY AUTHORITY AND PUBLIC SECTOR COORDINATION

PHAs are more or less integrated into county governments depending on a variety of factors and the closeness of that integration seems to make a difference for PHAs’ ability to build affordable housing. Agencies who are wholly or partially able to issue municipal bonds, for example, are uniquely able to address gap financing needs. Similarly the targeting of CDBG and HOME dollars must be done strategically and in coordination with other agencies to ensure maximum benefits.

Moving To Work

The inappropriately named Moving to Work program allows eligible high-performing Public Housing Authorities more discretion in how they utilize Federal funds. In theory at least, MTW permits PHAs to experiment with innovations at the local level, disseminating best practices across the country. While the program has been criticized for a lack of evaluation and coordination, many of the PHAs we spoke to said that the flexibility it gave their agency (in terms of regulatory processes and budget allocation) was essential for their role in affordable housing development.

Tenant Protections And Targeting

For RAD in particular, but for redevelopment more generally, tenants often experience a great deal of fear at the prospect of losing their housing. In its least disruptive form, a RAD conversion will result in new management which can make once tolerated activities no longer permitted. It is essential to bring tenant groups into the process early and often, engaging them authentically about what is and isn’t possible, and making sure they understand the risks and benefits. Not only is this the right thing to do, but having tenants as allies in the redevelopment and/or rehabilitation of their units can be a powerful way to push for more resources and design new housing that avoid past mistakes.