DOVER — When an individual or family holds a Section 8 housing choice voucher, the clock starts ticking to find a suitable residence.
But, considering that half of the Kent and Sussex county residents who have vouchers apply for extensions due to a lack of units, the Delaware State Housing Authority knew it had to do more.
“When we issue a voucher, they have 120 days until it expires, and a large amount require an extension — maybe 50% or so,” said Laurie Stovall, public relations director for the authority. “They report they can’t find a unit or a landlord to take the voucher.”
The agency makes hundreds of vouchers available to Downstate residents, but only a small portion can be used.
“Our agency administers 902 vouchers to residents in Kent and Sussex Counties. Currently, there are not enough rental units available to meet that need,” DSHA director Cynthia Karnai stated in a release. “We recognize the crucial role that landlords play in providing housing options for our Housing Choice Voucher participants and are committed to improving landlords’ overall experience with the program while increasing the Housing Choice Voucher utilization rate across Delaware.”
Enter the Landlord Incentive Program, a new set of motives developed via feedback from voucher participants.
“We’re looking to retain the existing landlords and attract new ones. We asked the landlords what was holding the program back,” Ms. Stovall said. “We’re looking to keep the ones we have because there is a need, but we’re looking for more because there’s a desperate need.”
Smaller landlords, those with 10-15 units, are the target audience, she continued. Further, “Sussex County experiences the most need, specifically in Lewes and Milton.”
To that end, the initiative includes the following features:
- A $1,000 bonus for landlords who sign a housing assistance payment contract. Landlords will receive additional payments of $500 for each new unit brought into the program, capped at five.
- After the contract is executed, landlords can directly claim security deposit and first-month rent payments.
- Landlords who provide proper documentation and proof of damages are eligible for damage payments. The authority will reimburse the lessor for repairs or one month’s rent, minus security deposit.
- Up to one month’s rent while the property is vacant and awaiting housing of another voucher holder. Project-based landlords, rather than tenant-based ones, may be eligible for two additional payments.
“This is the first time the agency has offered anything like this, and it launched about a month ago. We’re still in the startup and learning phase,” Ms. Stovall said this week. “We plan to reassess often and look at every avenue to help.”
Early reports indicate that the effort is gaining steam faster in New Castle County than in either southern county right now, she added.
As a public housing authority, the DSHA receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build, own and operate public housing in the state.
For information about the program, call 302-739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com .
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