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2008 Moving To new Ways Annual Plan

SHA is one of about 30 housing authorities across the country participating in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “Moving To new Ways” (MTW) Demonstration Program. This program allows SHA to test innovative methods to improve housing delivery to better meet local needs. While in MTW, SHA may propose and implement alternatives to national regulations for issues spelled out in an agreement signed by SHA and HUD in January 1999.

Each year, SHA adopts an annual plan that describes activities planned for the following fiscal year and highlights MTW initiatives. SHA's Board of Commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2008 plan in October 2007 and it was approved by HUD in November 2007. Below are excerpts from the plan. To view the full plan and its appendices in PDF format, click here.

Stakeholder involvement   

As part of developing the MTW Plan, residents and others had opportunities to review and comment on a draft. About 40 people attended a public hearing about the plan and annual agency budget in September 2007.

2008 Moving To new Ways priorities  

In 2008, SHA's MTW priorities will include:

  • In 2008 SHA may raise the maximum percentage of Housing Choice Vouchers that may be project-based. SHA will also continue piloting the “provider-based” program that ties supportive services with housing subsidy, especially for the homeless.
     

  • SHA may enable project-based Housing Choice Vouchers and low-income public housing to operate seamlessly in communities that operate both programs.

Meeting Seattle’s housing needs

SHA will continue several community revitalization activities throughout Seattle and explore new opportunities in 2008. These activities include:

  • High Point and Rainier Vista: New low-income and workforce housing completed in High Point Phase II. Continued infrastructure work and beginning of construction of new rental housing in Phase II of Rainier Vista. Start of construction for the High Point Neighborhood Center and completion of the new Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club. Homes for sale built by private builders in High Point and Rainier Vista.
     

  • homeWorks: Continue the project, a five-year capital program involving bond- and tax credit-financing to renovate 22 public housing high-rises, including comprehensive rehabilitation of building systems and common areas.
     

  • Yesler Terrace: Begin to develop a formal plan for the future of Yesler Terrace using the guiding principles established in 2007.
     

  • Scattered sites: Sell the remaining 40–45 units in the scattered sites portfolio reconfiguration started in 2004, replacing them with others that are more efficient to manage and maintain.
     

  • Holly Court: Identify replacement housing options for Holly Court, and begin planning for the redevelopment of this poorly-designed and -constructed community and adjacent SHA-owned property.
     

  • Lake City Village: Beginning in 2007 and continuing in 2008, SHA will market a portion of the Lake City Village site to private townhome builders, evaluate options for the balance of the site, and apply for a HOPE VI grant.
     

  • Villa Park and Yesler Terrace neighborhoods: Plan for and possibly implement redevelopment of recent acquisitions: the Douglas Apartments and adjacent property, and several properties owned by SHA in the Yesler Terrace area.

Formal planning for the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace begins in 2008

Meeting the needs of residents and applicants

SHA will improve access to its affordable housing programs through a variety of strategies in 2008 including:

  • Implement strategies developed in FY 2007 to improve access to housing information for residents and applicants with limited English proficiency.
     

  • Reopen the Housing Choice Voucher wait list and increase utilization.
     

  • Explore and possibly implement new local preferences for victims of domestic violence, families leaving transitional housing programs such as Sound Families, and households that previously transitioned off housing subsidies owing to earned income.

SHA’s successful community services programs will continue in 2008, including:

  • Continue the successful mental health crisis intervention and case management program in the public housing high-rises that was expanded during FY 2005.
     

  • Assist at least 160 SHA residents and Housing Choice Voucher participants in developing skills and finding jobs through the Job Connection program.
     

  • In collaboration with several partner agencies, pilot the Seattle Asset Building Initiative to help residents move toward economic security.

Low Income Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program participants receive career assistance through Seattle Housing Authority's Job Connection program

Organizational improvements

Improvements planned for FY 2008 include:

  • Work with HUD to extend SHA’s MTW participation.
     

  • Develop a local system for measuring resident satisfaction.
     

  • Increase SHA’s ability to function in the face of a crisis or natural disaster.

For more information about SHA's MTW annual plan or the MTW program, contact Andria Lazaga, Asset Management Coordinator, at alazaga@seattlehousing.org or (206) 615-3546.
 

Seattle Housing Authority • 120 Sixth Avenue N. • P.O. Box 19028 • Seattle, WA 98109-1028 • (206) 615-3300