6,970 additional families could be served!
HUD publishes proposed fair market rents for FY 2009!
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has posted data on voucher utilization rates from 2004-2007 at every public housing agency in the country, and estimates of the number of vouchers agencies have funds to use in 2008. Click here for an updated list of voucher data for New Jersey. CBPP states that “The data could be very useful to advocates — and boards of commissioners — to start a conversation about whether the agency has the funds to serve more families, raise payment standards, or otherwise make the voucher program operate more effectively.”
Housing Voucher Data for New Jersey
Of New Jersey’s 67,029 authorized vouchers, only 90 percent were used by families last year.
This was an improvement over 2006, when the voucher program was underfunded and changes in funding policy undermined the effectiveness of the program. Nevertheless, 2,055 fewer families in New Jersey received assistance in 2007 than in 2004.
This year, housing agencies in New Jersey have sufficient funds, including reserves, to assist 6,970 additional families, thereby using up to 100 percent of their authorized vouchers. To encourage agencies to make efficient use of these resources, agencies must be reassured that voucher renewal funding policy will be both stable and take into account the additional vouchers used by these families. Congress should enact the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (H.R. 1851 and S. 2684) to provide confidence that renewal funding needs will be met in future years, thereby encouraging agencies to put as many of their vouchers to use as possible.
H.R. 1851 is co-sponsored by Rep. Donald Payne. All members of the New Jersey delegation voted in favor except for Congressman Garrett. The full House approved the bill on June 12, 2008, by a vote of 333-83. S. 2684 is cosponsored by Senator Menendez. The bill has not yet been voted on in the Senate.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on June 12 published for public comment in the Federal Register HUD’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2009 Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for the (Section 8) Housing Choice Voucher Program and the Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program. The public comment period will be open through August 1.The proposed FMRs are developed through data drawn from updated 2000 Census data, the American Community Survey, Random Digit Dialing telephone rent surveys, and Consumer Price Index rent and utility indexes. Click here for Proposed FY 2009 Fair Market Rents for New Jersey. For a chart comparing the proposed FMR’s to the 2008 rents click here.
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Tags: Advocacy, center for budget and policy priorities, Donaldy Payne, Ending Homelessness, HUD, Scott Garrett, Section-8, Senator Menendez
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