The Public Housing Authorities will receive $25 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services.
According to a June 1 news release, the PHA will now provide an improved opportunity for 6,000 voucher households with children a chance to have access to top schools, community resources and to reside in a low poverty area.
“Access to educational opportunities and other resources have lasting impacts on the lives of families with children,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said in the release. “Through Mobility Services, families will have the option to live in better neighborhoods with good schools so that their quality of life and health improve, and their children can thrive.”
Current research shows growing up in communities with lower levels of poverty is beneficial for children’s educational experiences, the release reported. It also helps with long term success and lessens intergenerational poverty. Children who migrate to low poverty neighborhoods also suffer lower rates of hospitalization and improves mental health.
Studies have also shown adults who relocate to low poverty areas have lower rates of obesity and diabetes, according to the release.
There are a number of common impediments including the inability to save money for a security deposit, lack of time to search a place and landlords who will not rent to voucher users. By providing mobility related services to improve the proportion of voucher families with children residing in opportunity regions, the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services Program will assists PHAs in overcoming barriers for housing options, the release said.
The PHA will collaborate in their territories to implement administrative policies that help facilitate housing mobility, boost landlord participation and decrease barriers for families to relocate between PHA jurisdictions, as well as provide services linked to mobility, according to the release.
Applications for the HCV Mobility Services funding can be found online.
