HUD awards $6.25 million to Houston Housing Authority for two projects

The Houston Housing Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that Houston will receive $6.25 million in grants to be used for two new programs.

The Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services program received $5 million, while the Senior Home Modification Program received $1.25 million from the federal agency. According to HHA President and CEO David Northern Sr., the programs will begin when funds are received toward the end of the year. The two grants, combined with a $250,000 safety grant the authority just received, will allow HHA to help up to 4,000 residents.

“This investment in housing is absolutely necessary,” said HUD Regional Administrator Candace Valenzuela. “The only way to get a competitive grant is to have the systems in place to receive that money.”

Northern hoped the influx of HUD funding would help combat the stigma of affordable housing.

“Everyone wants affordable housing, but not in their backyard. We’re constantly taking pictures,” Northern said.

The Mobility Services Program will provide comprehensive services to help current Houston Housing Authority clients find housing in “high opportunity” areas with greater access to education and safety.

Current HHA clients can attend information sessions this summer about the program in 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 security deposit assistance, a risk mitigation fund, and tenant pre-screening services to help place HHA clients in neighborhoods with high opportunities. In a big city like Houston, Valenzuela says, growing that network is critical to easing the burden on renters.

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

Valenzuela said the hazard mitigation fund helps ease homeowners’ fears, but she has rarely seen the fund actually used. Her family used vouchers when she was younger when she was homeless, and was excited at the prospect of a program that would make it easier for people like her to find better housing.

“Especially as a Texan, I consider these families my family,” Valenzuela said. “I’m so grateful that the people at the housing authority are willing to tackle this problem.”

The Senior Housing Modification Program aims to assist older residents by providing funds for home improvements that would allow older residents to age in place. Licensed occupational therapists would be involved in finding low-cost modifications like ramps, grab bars and adaptive equipment.

Beyond home modifications, HHA will also be a connector for clients to other resources and nonprofit organizations to help provide comprehensive services.

“We have elderly people who sometimes lose their homes because of taxes and all kinds of other things,” Northern said. “Not only will the repairs take place, but they will have resources. »

To be eligible for the program, participants must be at least 62 years old and residing in their primary private residence. Projects exceeding a certain level of work will require a HUD environmental review in consultation with the City of Houston and in compliance with federal environmental regulations.

The two programs combined, plus the Supplemental Security Grant, represent nearly $7 million in HUD’s affordable housing investment.

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

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