Some commissioners mentioned that the MF program has helped some families become self-sufficient, opened up housing opportunities for others. Others felt that they had only modest success and hoped to see an increase in the number of families that achieve self-sufficiency. One board member mentioned that MF has led to more effective partnerships with other local housing and social service agencies, resulting in new, expanded housing opportunities for lower-income families in Charlotte. MTW flexibility also allowed for the purchase of security cameras and the hiring of private security personnel, which resulted in a 22 percent reduction in serious crimes such as robbery, rape, and burglary. The program was also credited with cost savings due to the use of local design standards and inspection standards, rather than HUD standards. CHA’s clients have also benefited by the adoption of site-based waiting lists, giving them more control over the developments in which they live. On the issue of achieving greater cost effectiveness, the commissioners pointed to several ways in which administrative costs have been reduced including not having to recertify elderly and disabled clients every year, and reducing administrative redundancy in reporting. For their part, CHA staff members suggested that the MF program has led to very good relations with HUD. They believe that CHA’s MF program is considered a MTW success story which has enhanced its reputation among HUD officials. Residents were asked in the survey to list both the best things about the MF program and what they would like to see changed in the MF program. Responses indicate overall support for the program and its implementation. Resident responses to the open-ended question of are the best things about the Moving Forward “What program?” suggest that residents believe the MF program is supporting them to achieve the broad goal of self-sufficiency (see Table II 10). The most commonly occurring response was that the program helped residents improve themselves and become more self-sufficient. Other responses highlighted the program’s employment assistance programs, incentive accounts, educational assistance, and support to move out of subsidized housing and to become a home owner. Table II 10: Residents’ Responses to things about the Moving Forward Program” “Best
Some commissioners mentioned that the MF program has helped some families become self-sufficient, opened up housing opportunities for others. Others felt that they had only modest success and hoped to see an increase in the number of families that achieve self-sufficiency. One board member mentioned that MF has led to more effective partnerships with other local housing and social service agencies, resulting in new, expanded housing opportunities for lower-income families in Charlotte. MTW flexibility also allowed for the purchase of security cameras and the hiring of private security personnel, which resulted in a 22 percent reduction in serious crimes such as robbery, rape, and burglary. The program was also credited with cost savings due to the use of local design standards and inspection standards, rather than HUD standards. CHA’s clients have also benefited by the adoption of site-based waiting lists, giving them more control over the developments in which they live. On the issue of achieving greater cost effectiveness, the commissioners pointed to several ways in which administrative costs have been reduced including not having to recertify elderly and disabled clients every year, and reducing administrative redundancy in reporting. For their part, CHA staff members suggested that the MF program has led to very good relations with HUD. They believe that CHA’s MF program is considered a MTW success story which has enhanced its reputation among HUD officials. Residents were asked in the survey to list both the best things about the MF program and what they would like to see changed in the MF program. Responses indicate overall support for the program and its implementation. Resident responses to the open-ended question of “What are the best things about the Moving Forward program?” suggest that residents believe the MF program is supporting them to achieve the broad goal of self-sufficiency (see Table II 10). The most commonly occurring response was that the program helped residents improve themselves and become more self-sufficient. Other responses highlighted the program’s employment assistance programs, incentive accounts, educational assistance, and support to move out of subsidized housing and to become a home owner. Table II 10: Residents’ Responses to “Best things about the Moving Forward Program”
Interim_report_12-1.docx