Moving to Work

Congress created the MTW program in 1996 as a demonstration program to allow housing authorities to alter HUD program rules for the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs, including policy changes and flexibility in how it spends HUD money.  The purpose is to identify areas where policy adjustments and local policy changes improve outcomes.  MTW agencies represent one percent (1%) of all housing authorities. HUD is in the process of adding another one hundred (100) agencies to the program.  MTW agencies are responsible for ensuring that the activities they pursue meet one or more of the following statutory objectives: 1) increase affordable housing choices, 2) increase cost effectiveness, and/or 3) promote self-sufficiency.

The MTW program will allow HACC to implement policy changes that will help it reduce costs and eliminate some of the current restrictions on how it spends the money it receives from HUD.  Clackamas County has seen significant increases in housing costs, making it likely that HACC will need to reduce the number of households it serves in the future without meaningful policy changes or cost reduction.  The MTW program would provide HACC with additional tools to reduce cost and to shift resources to help fill the funding gap. 

Each year, HACC may adopt new MTW activities using its MTW flexibility that may impact you, depending on the policy change and your family’s circumstances.  At the onset of the program, HACC will implement an asset-building program that includes a homeownership savings account element and a credit reporting element.  HACC will consider other policy changes, such as triennial reviews for fixed-income households, simplified utility allowances, and others that will help save money and shift the focus from paperwork and verifications to designing programs that will help clients succeed.

One of the statutory objectives of the MTW program is to increase the number of affordable housing units in the community.  MTW flexibility gives HACC additional ways it can spend the money it receives from HUD.  HACC will review a variety of options available using its MTW flexibility.  Some of the options include subsidizing Public Housing rents, converting its Public Housing units to Section 8, and investing its MTW funds in affordable housing developments in the community.

On July 28, 2022, HACC will ask its Board’s approval to submit its application to HUD.  If HACC’s application is successful, community members will have the opportunity to offer input and feedback into any of the initial policy changes it considers.  Additionally, HACC will engage in a public process each year to solicit feedback prior to submitting its Annual Plan to HUD with its proposed policy changes.