Houston Housing Authority granted federal funds that will benefit 4,000 residents

The Houston Housing Authority and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Houston would receive $6.25 million in grant funding to be used towards two new programs.

The Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services program received $5 million, while the Older Adult Home Modification program received $1.25 million from the federal agency. According to HHA President and CEO David Northern Sr., the programs will get started when the funds are received sometime near the end of the year. The two grants, combined with a $250,000 security grant the authority was just awarded, will allow HHA to help up to 4,000 residents.

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“There is absolutely the need for that investment in housing,” said HUD’s regional administrator Candace Valenzuela. “The only way you’re going to get a competitive grant is if you have your systems in place to receive that money.”

Northern hoped that the influx of funding from HUD would help fight the stigma of affordable housing.

“Everybody wants affordable housing but not in their backyard. We take shots constantly,” Northern said.

The mobility services program will provide wraparound services to help current clients of the Houston Housing Authority with finding housing in “high opportunity” areas with better access to education and safety.

Current HHA clients can attend information sessions this summer about the program at the HHA building at 2640 Fountain View Drive. The schedule is:

• Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m
• Saturday, July 27, 1 p.m.
• Thursday, August 1, 6 p.m.
• Saturday August 3, 1 p.m.

The program will also be proactive in approaching landlords to participate in the program, offering assistance with security deposits, a risk mitigation fund, and tenant pre-screening services to help place HHA clients in high opportunity neighborhoods.  In a large city like Houston, building out that network is critical to take burdens off of tenants according to Valenzuela.

“(Landlords) have a lot of misconceptions about what it is like to rent to folks that are receiving vouchers,” said Valenzuela. “The truth of the matter is the vast majority of our voucher recipients are just like everyone else.”

Valenzuela said that the risk mitigation fund helps assuage landlord fears, but that she had rarely ever seen the fund actually used. Her family used vouchers when she was younger when they found themselves unhoused, and was thrilled at the prospect of a program to make it easier for people like herself to find better housing.

“Particularly as a Texan, I see these families as my family,” Valenzuela said. “I’m just so grateful that the folks of the housing authority are willing to take this problem on.”

The Older Adult Home Modification Program is aimed at helping elderly residents by providing funds for home improvements that would allow elderly residents to age in place. Licensed occupational therapists would be involved to find low-cost modifications like railings, grab bars, and adaptive equipment.

Beyond the home modifications, HHA will also be a connector for clients to other resources and nonprofits to help provide wraparound services.

“We have seniors that, at times, lose their homes because of taxes and all kinds of other things,” said Northern. “Not only will repairs happen, but they will have resources.”

In order to be eligible for the program, participants must be at least 62 years old and residing in their privately owned primary residence. Projects exceeding a certain level of work will require a HUD environmental review in consultation with the city of Houston and adhering to federal environmental regulations.

The two programs together, along with the extra security grant, represent almost $7 million in investment into affordable housing from HUD.

“For HUD representatives from across the country, from D.C., to come down and award us checks, it shows the level of support they have for us,” Northern said. “This shows that we are responsible. It shows that we are transparent.”