RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Improve access to, and use of, tenant-based and project-based rental subsidies; provide additional rental assistance; and support groups advocating for increased federal and state rental subsidy appropriations

BUILD COMMUNITY WEALTH AND PROTECT HOUSEHOLDS FROM HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, DISPLACEMENT, AND DISASTER

Rental Assistance

Increase housing stability by supporting rental assistance in multiple ways:

This promising strategy requires investment in:

Increase housing stability by supporting rental assistance in multiple ways:

Conducting outreach to tenants to increase their knowledge and use of existing tenant-based and project-based subsidies
Funding additional rental assistance for communities
Advocating for additional federal and state resources

This promising strategy requires investment in:

Labor hours to conduct outreach to tenants
A funding pool for rental assistance
Funding to support organizational capacity of organizations distributing rental assistance

Evaluation of Promising Strategy in Initial Target Regions

Learn more about the Investment Map’s selection of Initial Target Regions.

There are multiple statewide rent support programs available in the region, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), and rapid rehousing. The NC Housing Finance Agency, for example, operates the Key Rental Assistance program, which is a project-based subsidy. The NC Housing Finance Agency, NC Department of Health and Human Services, and Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations operate the Transitions to Community Living Voucher program.

At the regional level, the Piedmont Triad Regional Council supports the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program in Davie, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties.

Some housing authorities (e.g., Greensboro Housing Authority, Piedmont Triad Regional Council) that provide Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers, mixed-finance programs, and others, are over capacity and using waitlists. The average waitlist time is 2-5 years, depending on the agency.

Assets: Piedmont Triad Regional Council

Investment Approach: Urban Institute

Tenants increase knowledge of rental subsidy programs. Metric = # of outreach activities conducted with tenants. Metric = # of tenants participating in outreach activities.
Tenants increase usage of rental subsidy programs. Metric = % change in number of eligible households per region receiving rental subsidies.
Number/amount of federal rental assistance resources increases. Metric = # of new $ for federal assistance programs. Metric = % change in size of Section 8 Voucher waitlist.
Number/amount of state rental assistance resources increases. Metric = # of new $ for state assistance programs. Metric = % change in size of state rental assistance program waitlists.

At the federal level, there are federally funded programs available to help renters, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH).

At the state level, there are a number of rent support programs. For example, the NC Housing Finance Agency operates the Key Rental Assistance Program, which is a project-based subsidy, and the NC Housing Finance Agency, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs) operate the Transitions to Community Living Voucher Program. Statewide, landlord incentives (e.g., signing bonuses, cleaning/maintenance) are an eligible expense under the new federal guidance for ESG-CV Grants (Emergency Solutions Grants to address homelessness related to COVID-19). The landlord incentive policy will also apply to Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) supports.

At the regional level, there are a variety of organizations that provide one-time payments to help renters cover security deposits and first month’s rent: Homeward Bound, Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, Biltmore United Methodist Church, Community Action Opportunities, and Mountain Housing. Additionally, Pisgah Legal Services provides legal aid to help renters obtain or preserve eligibility for housing subsidies. Dogwood Health Trust plans to commission a housing needs and market assessment in all 18 WNC counties, which will help illuminate rental assistance needs in the region. In Sept 2020, the city of Asheville used grant funding to launch a pilot program that provides subsidies to landlords who rent to people with federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Across the state, housing choice vouchers are going unused.

49% of renters in Buncombe county are struggling to pay rent, mortgage, and other critical housing expenses.

Assets: Homeward Bound

Investment Approach:

The 2019 Housing Need in Buncombe County

Urban Institute

Tenants increase knowledge of rental subsidy programs. Metric = # of outreach activities conducted with tenants. Metric = # of tenants participating in outreach activities.
Tenants increase usage of rental subsidy programs. Metric = % change in number of eligible households per region receiving rental subsidies.
Number/amount of federal rental assistance resources increases. Metric = # of new $ for federal assistance programs. Metric = % change in size of Section 8 Voucher waitlist.
Number/amount of state rental assistance resources increases. Metric = # of new $ for state assistance programs. Metric = % change in size of state rental assistance program waitlists.