Delaware State Housing Authority MOVING TO WORK PRESENTATION One Stop Partner Convening April 6, 2016

Meet The Taylor Family They have been living for a year in Seaford in the basement of their Aunt Pearl’s house because they could no longer afford their 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent (FMR) apartment. Mr. Taylor lost his construction job 2 years ago when he hurt his back. He quit school in 10 th grade and doesn’t have a Diploma or GED. Mrs. Taylor works at Perdue and has a HS Diploma. The Taylor’s have 2 children ages 6 and 9.

The Taylor’s And The DSHA Waiting List There are approximately 7,708 households on the DSHA waiting list. The average wait time can range from 8 months to 24 months. The Taylors receive a call after 13 months on the waiting list that an apartment is available at the Selbyville Public Housing Site called Hickory Tree. They accept the apartment and begin the Moving to Work (MTW) Program.

What Is The Moving To Work (MTW) Program? Moving to Work (MTW) is a HUD demonstration program that provides Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with the opportunity to design and test innovative, locally-designed strategies that: 1. Reduce Costs/ Greater Cost Effectiveness 2. Give Incentives to Families to Obtain Employment/ Self- Sufficiency 3. Increase Housing Choices for Low-Income Families DSHA is one of only 38 authorized MTW PHA’s.

DSHA Resident Services Department Financial Literacy Community Resources Placement Referrals MTW participants receive specialized case management activities specifically geared to help residents improve employment opportunities, increase budgeting and finance knowledge as well as referral services to assist in overcoming other barriers such as child care, transportation, legal assistance, etc.

The Taylor’s Meet Their DSHA Case Manager Within 30 days of signing their lease, Mr. & Mrs. Taylor are required to meet with their on- site DSHA case manager, Roxann. During that first meeting, Roxann goes over the requirements of the MTW program, the DSHA Strike Process, the DSHA Savings Account and begins to help the Taylor’s formulate a “plan” to overcome their barriers to homeownership or fair market rental.

DSHA MTW Participant Requirements All over 18 households members must meet with their assigned case manager quarterly. All over 18 households members must be employed and meeting the required hours based on year of MTW participation. If the household member is unemployed, they must have weekly contact with their case manager until employed. During the first 3 years of MTW participation, education can count toward the required employment hours. The head of household must complete a DSHA approved Financial Literacy Class within the first 2 years of MTW participation. All households minors are required to meet school attendance standards.

MTW Employment Requirements GOAL Full-Time Employment Initial min. work requirement = 20 hours By 3 rd year min. work requirement = 25 hours By 4 th year min. work requirement = 30 hours All households members over the age of 18 are required to meet the above employment policy unless they are meeting the DSHA continuing education requirements.

MTW Can Help The Taylor’s Save Money To Buy A Home All rent paid over the 35% rent cap is placed into an interest bearing savings account. Making Work Pay Upon successful completion, the MTW resident is allowed to use 60% of the savings towards housing related expenses and 40% at their discretion. Monies are disbursed directly to the housing vendor. Successful Completion Since 1999, DSHA has disbursed approximately $2,632,001 in MTW savings for successful completions toward homeownership or fair market rentals. By the Numbers

MTW Building Thru Education EDUCATION Computers labs at each Public Housing site. Since implementation, DSHA has awarded 155 scholarships (approximately $77,500)up to a maximum of $500 toward education costs or employment enrichment classes. COMMUNITY 3 children’s parties are held at each PH site annually. 4-H groups and summer programs at Public Housing sites. Resident newsletters featuring life skills, recipes, crafts and community happenings. RESPONSIBILITY Each year DSHA recognizes the children of our PH residents for perfect attendance and/or honor roll achievement with a special luncheon and a LL Bean backpack stuffed with school supplies valued at $60.

This Program Is Time Limited TIER I Program Years 1-5 Focus on self-sufficiency and overcoming barriers such as unemployment, education, etc. Participants can receive 100% of their MTW escrow upon successful completion in 5 years. TIER II Program Years 6-7 Focus on maximizing employment and move to unsubsidized housing Participants can receive 60% of the escrow in year 6 and 40% of the escrow in year 7 upon successful completion. Participants can request up to a 1 year extension through a hearing with a Hardship Panel if additional time is needed.

What Happens If The Taylor’s Don’t Follow MTW Requirements?  The MTW participant may be issued a strike upon breach of any responsibility set out in the Contract of Mutual Participation (COMP).  The participant does have the right to request a strike hearing with the issuance of any strike in writing within 10 days of the strike notification letter. 1 st Strike 2 nd Strike 3 rd Strike Housing Subsidy is Terminated

So How Did The Taylor Family Do In MTW? Mr. Taylor He successfully completed his GED. He acquired full- time employment as a warehouse manager. Mrs. Taylor She continued her education obtaining an associates degree. She was promoted to shift manager and increased her income. The Children Both were DSHA Student Award winners for 4 years because of Honor Roll status!

Where Is The Taylor Family Now? Mr. & Mrs. Taylor were able to save $9,400 in their MTW Savings account by the end of their MTW Tier I (5 th year) participation. By working with their MTW case manager and a housing counselor, the Taylor’s were able to utilize all of their savings to successfully purchase their first home in Seaford. Now Aunt Pearl, who graciously opened her home to help them, comes over to the Taylor house for Sunday dinners.

DSHA MTW SENIOR STAFF: Christopher Whaley, Director of Housing Management Rebecca Kauffman, Social Service Senior Administrator Rita M. Paige, Social Worker/Case Manager Supervisor Michelle Statham, Social Service Assistant Administrator 26 The Green Dover, Delaware Telephone: Toll Free: Visit us on the Web! Visit us on the Web!