Voucher Payment Standard (VPS) Increase for HUD-Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) ProgramCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 9.
Copyrighted
December 20, 2021
ITEM TITLE: Voucher Payment Standard (VPS) Increase for HUD -Veteran Affairs
Supportive Housing (VASH) Program
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of the adoption of an increase in
Voucher Payment Standards (VPS) for the HUD Veteran Affairs
Supportive Housing (VASH) Program in the City of Dubuque.
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
RESOLUTION Approving the increase in voucher payment standards
for the HUD-VASH Program in the City of Dubuque
Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
VASH Program-MVM Memo
Memo
Resolution
ExhibitA- Proposed VPS
Type
City Manager Memo
Staff Memo
Resolutions
Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
DUB TEE1.
All -America City
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Voucher Payment Standard (VPS) Increase for HUD -Veteran Affairs
Supportive Housing (VASH) Program
DATE: December 16, 2021
Housing and Community Development Director Alexis Steger recommends City Council
approval of the adoption of an increase in Voucher Payment Standards (VPS) for the
HUD Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program in the City of Dubuque. The
Housing Commission voted to approve the changes and send to City Council for
adoption, with the Voucher Payment Standard being effective January 1, 2022.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Alexis M. Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alexis M. Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
DATE: December 15, 2021
Dubuque
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2007-2012-2013
2017*2019
RE: Voucher Payment Standard (VPS) Increase for HUD- Veteran Affairs
Supportive Housing (VASH) Program
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council's approval of the
adoption of an increase in Voucher Payment Standards (VPS) for the HUD Veteran
Affairs Supportive Housing Program in the City of Dubuque.
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque was awarded six (6) Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers
on January 1, 2021. The Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program was
awarded an additonal six (6) vouchers beginning in January 2022. HUD recently
released new waivers to allow Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to establish a HUD-
VASH exception payment standard in order to allow HUD-VASH participants a chance
at being able to lease up in a competitive housing market.
DISCUSSION
Voucher Payment Standard refers to the maximum monthly assistance payment for a
family assisted in the voucher program. In this case specifically, in the HUD -Veteran
Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program.
HUD released a waiver on September 27, 2021, outlining a procedure that allows a
PHA to establish a HUD-VASH exception payment standard. Housing markets that are
demonstrating a need for HUD-VASH vouchers appear to be very competitive with a
shortage of affordable rental units. Additionally, landlords may be reluctant to rent to
homeless individuals due to poor credit history or other issues. To assist HUD-VASH
participants in finding affordable housing, especially in competitive markets, HUD has
waived 24 CFR 982.503(a)(3) to allow a PHA to establish a HUD-VASH exception
payment standard. Without this waiver, a PHA is required to establish a single payment
standard amount for each unit size. Additionally, 982.503(b)(iii) is waived so that PHAs
may go up to, but no higher than 120 percent of the published metropolitan area -wide
FMRs or Small Area specifically for HUD-VASH families.
After a review of the City of Dubuque PHA's current Voucher Payment Standards it has
been determined that increasing the Voucher Payment Standards (VPS) for the HUD-
VASH Program would prove to be beneficial in this community in order to allow HUD-
VASH participants a greater opportunity to find a place to rent.
On December 14, 2021, the Housing Commission was presented the attached Exhibit A
which outlines the current VPS and the proposed VPS which include an increase to be
at 120% of FMR as allowed in the waiver. The Housing Commission voted to approve
and send to City Council to adopt for the HUD-VASH Program, with the VPS being
effective 1 /1 /2022.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request that the City Council approves the increase in Voucher Payment
Standards (VPS) for the HUD Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program
effective 1/1/2022 as outlined in attached Exhibit A.
Prepared by Alexis Steger. Housing & Community Devel., 350 W. 61" St., Suite 312 (563) 690-6072
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13'^ St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 429-21
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INCREASE IN VOUCHER PAYMENT STANDARDS
FOR THE HUD-VASH PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF DUBQUE
Whereas, the City of Dubuque is designated as a Public Housing Authority; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque maintains a Voucher Payment Standards for the
HUD-VASH Program; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque desires to revise said Voucher Payment Standards
for the HUD-VASH Program; and
Whereas, the Housing Commission held a public meeting to review the increase in
proposed Voucher Payment Standards; and
Whereas, on December 14, 2021, the Housing Commission approved and
recommended City Council adoption of the revised Voucher Payment Standards for the
HUD-VASH Program; and
Whereas, the Housing & Community Development Department will implement the
revised Voucher Payment Standards for the HUD-VASH Program beginning January 1,
2022, after City Council approval.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The Public Housing Authority (PHA) has revised the Voucher Payment
Standards for the HUD-VASH Program run by the City of Dubuque PHA and the City
Council has approved adoption of the increase in the Voucher Payment Standards for
the HUD-VASH Program.
Section 2. The City Council has adopted the increase in the Voucher Payment
Standards for the HUD-VASH Program.
Section 3. The Housing & Community Development Staff is hereby directed to
implement the revised Voucher Payment Standards for the HUD-VASH Program
effective January 1, 2022.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 20th day of December 202
Roy D Buol, Mayor
Attest:
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Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
4a) Veteran Affairs Supportive
Housing WASH) Voucher
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