HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAMS - POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

CHAPTER III. SELECTING NAMES/VOUCHER ISSUANCE

Section H:  Expanding Housing Opportunities

Introduction

For counties designated by HUD as Metropolitan Fair Market Rent (FMR) areas, HUD through its SEMAP process, requires MSHDA to adopt and implement a written policy to encourage participation by owners of units located outside areas of poverty or minority concentration, inform voucher holders of the full range of areas where they may lease units, and supply a list of landlords or other parties who are willing to lease units or help families find units, including units outside areas of poverty or minority concentration.  Ultimately the client makes the decision to stay in place or move to a non-concentrated area, provided all other Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rules are met. This policy and MSHDA's Administrative Plan detail the actions MSHDA Office of Housing Voucher Program takes to encourage participation by owners of units located outside of areas of poverty or minority concentration.

1.  Definition of a Concentrated Area

A small geographic area located within a larger metropolitan FMR area that is concentrated with poverty and/or minorities as determined from 2000 census data.

2. Minority and Poverty Concentrated Counties

Minority Concentration – Census tracts where 50% or more of the population were of the same ethnicity.

Poverty Concentration – Census tracts where 50% or more of the population had household incomes below $15,000.

The list below identifies the 26 Metropolitan FMR areas and 3 additional counties which contain a higher concentration of poverty/minority:

Barry	Genesee	Lapeer	Newaygo
Bay	Ingham	Livingston	Oakland
Berrien	Ionia	Macomb	Ottawa
Calhoun	Isabella	Marquette	Saginaw
Cass	Jackson	Mecosta	St. Clair
Clinton	Kalamazoo	Monroe	Van Buren
Eaton	Kent	Muskegon	Washtenaw
			Wayne

3. Owner Encouragement Documentation

Housing Agents encourage owners of units to participate in the HCV program especially when these units are located outside of concentrated areas.  Methods to encourage participation include advertising, and formal or informal discussions with landlords, landlord associations, and rental referral companies or agencies.  Agents must document the outreach efforts on the Owner Outreach Report (MSHDA 63) on a semi-annual basis and forward the Report to the Regional Manager responsible for SEMAP in April and October each year.

4.  Maps/Website

During the face-to-face briefing, the Housing Agent must provide a hard copy of maps and/or post a large county map identifying concentrated areas.  Participants are also informed of a website at www.michigan.gov/mshda.  The participant can access the maps by going to this website and clicking on Renter Assistance, then Housing Choice Voucher Program, then Maps.  The list of maps is arranged by county.  

5.  Characteristics of Area Outside of Concentrated Areas (MSHDA 65)

The Housing Agent assembles information about the characteristics of areas located outside of concentrated areas.  The information identifies job opportunities, schools, transportation, and other services beneficial to families in the area.  The Housing Agent documents this information on the (MSHDA 65) and provides the form to applicants attending the briefing session or to participants who are moving.

6.   Rental Housing Suggestion List (MSHDA 64)

The Housing Agent prepares a list of owners willing to lease to HCV participants (or properties available for lease), and a current list of other organizations that will help families find units.  The Rental Housing Suggestion List (MSHDA 64) contains the required information and is provided to the applicant during the briefing session or to participants who are moving.  By adding an asterisk to a suggested unit or organization on the list, the Housing Agent demonstrates the suggested unit is located in an area outside of poverty or minority concentration; or the organization may be able to help locate such a unit.

7.   Portability Option (MSHDA 146)

The Voucher Information (MSHDA 146) identifies the portability option.  The HA explains how portability works.

8.  Briefing Cover Sheet (MSHDA 145)

By signing the Briefing Cover Sheet (MSHDA 145), the applicant verifies receipt of map(s).

9.  Analysis

MSHDA analyzes whether voucher holders experience difficulties in locating housing outside of concentrated areas.  This analysis may include monitoring search times, whether voucher extensions were necessary, whether units did or did not meet HQS, etc.

MSHDA also gathers computer data to monitor whether initial contracts are executed outside of areas of poverty or minority concentration.  If difficulties exist, MSHDA reviews the payment standards (PS) and determines whether it is appropriate to seek approval of exception payment standards (PS) amounts. 

10.  Applicable Forms List

Form Number	Name
MSHDA 63	Owner Outreach Report
MSHDA 64	Rental Housing Suggestion List
MSHDA 65	Characteristics of Area Outside of Concentrated Areas
MSHDA 145	Briefing Cover Sheet
MSHDA 146	Voucher Information

(Effective March 1, 2009)