Rising housing costs are affecting U.S. homeowners and renters nationwide, and everyone is feeling the pinch including federal agencies. This trend is causing a rippling effect throughout the industry and impacting more than simply those trying to purchase homes or rent apartments. Due to the inflation, The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) identified Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) as falling into a “shortfall” status as of December 2024. This means that due to increasing per-unit housing assistance costs, CMHA's Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) funding from HUD will exceed the agency’s budget. As anticipated by HUD, many Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are expected to have similar challenges due to rising housing costs.
CMHA is taking several steps to minimize the risks and safeguard the issues surrounding the vouchers are addressed.
- If you have a voucher expiring soon, please contact HCV immediately to gain direction regarding your options at 513-977-5800.
What does this mean for our community?
- CMHA anticipates not terminating families from the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
- CMHA will implement the cost-saving measures as mandated by HUD, while continuing to accept referrals for the HCV waitlist from community partners according to the date and time received.
- Vouchers will only be issued for our special programs and families wishing to transfer units.
- Request for Tenancy Approvals will continue to be processed for current voucher holding families and those changing units.
- CMHA will continue to ensure that all units meet HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and enforce all HCV Program rules.
To contend with the risk for housing authorities across the country, the 2024 Congressional Act allocates up to $200 million for HCV HAP Set-aside funding. CMHA is applying for a portion of this additional HUD funding. If awarded, CMHA will continue with the identified cost-savings measures identified above, until otherwise instructed by HUD. Prioritization of this funding is HUD’s main goal to support PHAs nationwide and minimize any negative impact on families currently participating with the program.