On June 10, 2021, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced the awarding of American Rescue Plan funds for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) for individuals and families who are homeless; at risk of homelessness; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or recently homeless. HUD has allocated a total of $10 billion in American Rescue Plan homelessness assistance, $5 billion of which was set-aside for EHVs.
The Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA) was awarded a total of $264,436 in funding which includes $179,688 to cover the cost of 24 vouchers, related administrative costs, and up-front operational costs, effective July 1, 2021. The initial contract term for the funding increment is 18-months. Thereafter, HUD will provide annual renewal funding in 12-month increments.
Pamela Nation Calhoun, PMHA’s Executive Director said, “The Emergency Housing Vouchers will be one more resource for PMHA to add to our portfolio of housing programs designed to stabilize housing for those with the highest level of need in our community. Thanks to our dedicated team of staff members who work tirelessly to assist the families we serve and the applicants to our various housing programs, PMHA is recognized as a high performing housing authority that has the capacity to successfully implement the program and administer the EHVs.”
HUD awarded a total of $1.1 billion to fund 70,000 vouchers, to 626 public housing authorities (PHAs) administering the Housing Choice Voucher Program. PMHA is one of only 15 PHAs in Ohio to receive EHV funding which was awarded where the EHV eligible populations have the greatest need, while also considering the PHAs’ capacity and geographic diversity.