MSHDA - Office of Housing Voucher Programs Policy and Procedures Manual

Chapter XVIII: Special Programs

Effective: March 2005

Introduction

MSHDA currently has several special programs operating within the Existing Housing Division. Some of these programs utilize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and others use HUD certificates. The following is a brief description of these programs.

Section A: Moderate Rehabilitation Program

• The Moderate Rehabilitation Program is operated at four developments within the State of Michigan. This project-based voucher program utilizes certificates instead of vouchers. Two additional developments follow the MRP guidelines but are developments that operate single room occupancy (SRO) units only. Rental assistance is assigned to individual units in the complex.
• The developments currently participating in MRP are: Bella Vista Glen (Highland Park), Walnut Creek (Flat Rock), Westwood Manor (Flint), and Willow Vista Apartments (Lansing).
• The developments currently participating in the MRP with SRO units are: Ferguson Apartments (Grand Rapids) and Rickman House (Kalamazoo). SRO’s are units that consist of a single living/sleeping room with either a private or shared bathroom.
• Each development maintains its own waiting list separate from the local county HCV waiting list. Applicants may have their names on both waiting lists. If a person currently residing in a MRP unit has their name selected from the local county HCV waiting list, the Housing Agent (HA) in that county must contact the development to see if the first year of their HAP contract with the MRP/SRO development is completed. If not, the name is held until the one-year HAP contract with the MRP development is due for annual re-examination before offering the HCV.
• MRP and SRO developments are managed by staff from a management company contracted by the owner. MSHDA staff provide auditing services of submitted paperwork, and perform annual Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections, rent calculations for contract rent increases, and an annual compliance review of HUD guidelines.
• A separate MRP Policy Procedure Manual is maintained for this program.

Section B: Family Self Sufficiency Program

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a HUD program that encourages public housing authorities (PHAs) to develop local strategies to help HCV families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. MSHDA partners with state agencies, human service agencies, schools, non-profits, local units of government, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience needed to enable them to obtain and maintain suitable employment. Goal-setting and service delivery are coordinated through a contracted case manager referred to as the FSS Resource Coordinator.

The FSS program is a unique opportunity for MSHDA to implement a program that directly benefits both MSHDA and the HCV participant. Families are provided support through job, education, and human service delivery systems to address what may seem to be insurmountable personal and financial barriers to economic growth. The purpose of the program is to “Empower individuals and families today for a better tomorrow!”

Section C: Homeownership Program

• MSHDA currently operates the “Key to Own” HCV Homeownership Program. This program offers a homeownership option for families that hold a MSHDA tenant-based HCV. Qualified tenants will be able to use their voucher subsidy toward a mortgage on a home rather than towards their rent.
• To qualify for the HCV Homeownership Program, the participant must be:
  1. A good-standing HCV participant for a minimum of one year; and
  2. A first time homeowner or have not owned a home in the last three years; and,
  3. Enrolled and actively participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and free of cash welfare, except elderly and disabled persons; and
  4. Employed full-time continuously for the last year earning $15,000 (except elderly or disabled persons) and
  5. Within the household income eligibility and other guidelines of the program.
• Additional eligibility criteria and program guidelines may be found in a separate manual titled, “MSHDA’s Office of Housing Voucher Programs HCV “Key to Own” Homeownership Program Guidelines.”