INNOVATIONS
Frequently called "America's Housing Policy Lab", Moving to Work gives housing authorities the flexibility to test and design innovative strategies to serve their residents and provide affordable housing for their local communities. Below are just some of the innovative policies that MTW agencies are implementing.
INCREASING THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Leveraging additional housing funds, preserving affordable housing, improving the quality of public housing, and serving more households by lowering per-unit costs or increasing the turnover of assistance slots.
Adopting payment standards that reduce costs.
Using MTW funds to recapitalize and preserve distressed public housing developments that might otherwise disappear from the stock.
Rent reforms that increase positive exits from assisted housing and allow the agency to serve more households.
INCREASING RESIDENT ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Offering supportive services and programs that increase financial stability and economic opportunity among households with work-able adults.
Creation of alternative family self-sufficiency programs that meet the needs of local residents.
Homeownership programs that provide financial literacy training, housing counseling services, or down-payment assistance for residents transitioning into homeownership.
Flat rent subsidy based on family size rather than income.
Education partnerships with local schools that includes rental assistance for eligible families.
PROMOTING RESIDENTÂ STABILITY
Targeting services and programs toward residents with specific needs, such as veterans or the homeless, who may be underserved by traditional public housing and HCV programs.
Sponsor-based housing programs targeting high need populations.
EXPANDING RESIDENT MOBILITY
Promoting mobility and moves to opportunity through housing development, resident support services, and programs that increase landlord recruitment and retention for the HCV program.
Mobility counseling programs to help residents move into high opportunity neighborhoods.
Increased or alternative payments standards to help families better access higher opportunity neighborhoods.
INCREASING COST EFFECTIVENESS
Streamlining administrative procedures with the intent of reducing costs, in many cases, reducing burden on assisted households.
Alternative income re-certification schedules for elderly and disabled households.
Income deductions and exemptions.
Simplification of utility allowances.
Alternative rent reasonableness procedures.