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Section 8 Utilization Part IV: Innovative Program
Operations
Improving the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program relies as
much upon on local innovations in program administration, as it does
on regulatory and legislative policy changes in Washington, DC. Over
the years, LHAs have learned many valuable lessons about how to best
respond to administrative challenges, by revamping their program operations
to better meet their local needs. This AudioShort will provide you with
innovative solutions to challenges that LHAs might not have tried before
to solve complex program regulations.
Through careful planning and development, agency practioners have
found ways to make new technologies work for them, without being awed
by the "gee whiz" phenomenon often associated with hi-tech
gadgetry. This session will give you a chance to learn from others'
experiences so that you won't find your new system sitting on a shelf
gathering dust. In each instance, the investment in making program innovations
have been significantly less than the savings and improved program performance
they enjoyed as a result of those changes. Program administration innovations
in:
- Scheduling, conducting and informing clients of the HQS
inspection results in a timely and efficient fashion through the
use of pen-based mobile hand held computers, which has encouraged
property owners to rent to assisted households instead of having them
lose out on the opportunity, to an unassisted renter. The number of
inspections completed per day by the inspection staff have increased
by approximately 25 percent, which is the equivalent of adding one
full-time inspector.
Each mobile computer is loaded with inspectors' assignments, the inspection
form, and the HQS manual. Inspectors do not have to enter data into
a computer once their daily inspections are completed. Instead, the
system allows staff to upload all the inspection information from the
hand-held computers into the agency's computer system, which enables
them to produce letters to landlords and tenants. The agencies program
staff can access the inspection information immediately, so they can
inform tenants promptly, as to whether or not the unit passed inspection.
In addition, agency manager(s) are able to easily determine the length
of different types of inspections, so that planning and scheduling can
be made more efficient, as well as being able to compare inspection
results aross inspectors for quality control and consistency purposes.
Many software vendors have pen-based mobile hand held computers for
HQS and UPCS inspections or are introducing them into the marketplace.
Many agencies have experienced problems interfacing these computers
with their staffs in their Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program
operations. This AudioShort forum will allow you to work through these
important issues with your colleagues in the field before considering
purchasing any hand-held computers.
- Wireless internet and intranet system that connects 110 users at
10 different locations that enabled the agency to decentralize their
operations and reduce operating costs.
- Web site capabilities which provided web-based opportunities for:
applicants to apply and register on the agency's waiting list, rent
affordablity / burden calculator for voucher holders, posting rental
listings, landlord address changes, landlords registering for direct
deposit of Housing Assistance Payments, utility allowances, FMR /
Payment Standards, rent reasonableness policies etc., waiting list
demographics letter from the agency for developers' tax credit applications,
fraud reporting system, landlord surveys, portability information,
HQS information, information referral resources, maps and directions
to their office, etc.;
These core functions are administratively intensive, but many LHAs
are finding innovative approaches to performing them in a more effective
and less costly fashion which have reduced their costs and time to deliver
services from five to twenty five percent. These time and cost savings
have allowed LHAs to reinvest savings to help augment their program
operations and improve utilization rates. None of the presentations
of products or services will be an endorsement of any one product, but
will offer an example of their capabilities amongst a range of competing
products.
Presentors:
Terry Kresser
Section 8 Supervisor
Syracuse Housing Authority
Mary Riservato
Deputy Director
The Housing Authority of the County of Riverside, CA
Dan Swanson
Director of Budget and Procurement
Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority
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