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Breaking down the barriers to housing assistance - a progress report

SEATTLE—November 19, 2003—Over the past year, the PorchLight Housing Center, a division of the Seattle Housing Authority, has succeeded with several initiatives to break down barriers that low-income people in our area face when they seek housing assistance.

These initiatives have focused both on customer service and program innovation. In the customer service arena, new initiatives are making it easier and more convenient for people to apply for housing. For example, the application materials that people need to fill out in order to be placed on an SHA waiting list for housing are now available for download on the Web site. The application materials have also been made available in six languages. Speakers of English, Chinese, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese can download an application in their language, or pick one up at PorchLight, located at 907 NW Ballard Way in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.

In addition, to better serve people interested in housing assistance, PorchLight has recently installed “Information Center” computer stations in its lobby. The Information Centers include a computerized presentation explaining SHA’s programs, requirements and application procedures. Applicants can work through this presentation at their own pace, filling in the application as they go. Or, after working through the computerized presentation, they can meet with a housing counselor to get their remaining questions answered. They can also check SHA’s Web site for further resources and information at the Information Centers.

Early in 2004, PorchLight anticipates further innovation with an online application process. This will allow applicants to apply for housing using the Internet from any convenient location – a public library or a case manager’s office, for example.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program has also seen significant program innovations in the past year, many of which are documented in the updated “Section 8 Administrative Plan,” recently adopted by the SHA Board of Commissioners.

According to PorchLight Director Kathy Roseth, “We leased up just about 1,000 vouchers during Fiscal Year 2003.” Each of those vouchers are now providing affordable housing to a very low income family, many of whom were formerly homeless.

Several years ago the Housing Authority began a process of “project-basing” up to 25 percent of its Housing Choice Vouchers. These vouchers are assigned to a specific housing unit, rather than to a tenant. By the end of 2003, SHA had commitments for 1,381 project-based units or 18 percent of its voucher authority. Actual lease up of this many units may take several years, because some projects are in the planning stages. In the meantime, vouchers are being used in the tenant-based program.

Project-basing vouchers accomplishes several important objectives. It provides replacement housing for HOPE VI or other demolished housing (currently 415 vouchers), supports non-profit agencies who provide specialized or supportive housing (currently 415 vouchers in 23 projects), and strengthens low-income housing initiatives through the City of Seattle, including Sound Families and Levy-funded projects (currently 121 vouchers). According to Roseth, “We will continue to seek ways to get these vouchers into the hands of people who really need them as quickly and compassionately as possible.”

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