2005.03.23 Letter to NHA
Jonathon Hite, Director March 23, 2005
Northampton Housing Authority
49 Old South Street
Northampton, MA 01060
RE: Northampton Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Policy Updates/Revisions
Dear Mr. Hite;
At a meeting held February 23, 2005 the Trustees of the Northampton Affordable Housing Trust Fund met to review several issues. This letter is to communicate to you, the decisions that
have been made and their implementation dates.
1.) Unit Occupancy Standards Relative to Trust Subsidies
One issue addressed the occupancy policies being utilized by the Spear Management Group, owner of Hampton Gardens Apartments as they relate to Trust subsidy payments.
As the contracted Certification and Requisition Agent overseeing the administration of the Trust Fund for the City, you had raised a question about the amount of trust subsidy that should
be paid out to eligible households. The Spear Management Group follows building and sanitary code regulations to determine the unit size that any particular household would be entitled
to occupy. This practice can sometimes differ from what unit size would be required by HUD Section 8 Occupancy Standards. To clarify any discrepancy, the Trustees have voted to institute
the following:
“The Trust has agreed to utilize HUD Section 8 Occupancy Standards, as embodied in the Northampton Housing Authority Administration Plan, for determination of subsidy for families”.
For example, a family eligible for a two bedroom apartment under HUD standards, would only be eligible for a subsidy from the Trust Fund up to the rate for a two bedroom apartment.
Adoption of a Utility Allowance Deduction
The Trustees voted to adopt utilization of a utility allowance to reduce the tenants portion of rent, and increase utilization of the Fund by increasing the number of participating households.
It was agreed that the utility allowances calculated by the Northampton Housing Authority annually, would be used.
Please include the utility allowances in the subsidy payment calculations beginning with January 1, 2005.
3.) Establishment of a Date for Implementing HUD Income Limits
The Trustees agreed to adopt the date of January 1st of each year to implement the HUD income limits, as this would coincide with the calculations of market rate rent averages that Spear
Management undertakes.
Approval of New Rents for January 2005
The Trust Fund Income Guidelines and income-based rents submitted for review on this day, have been approved and can be implemented.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your assistance in identifying these issues and providing clarification. We appreciate all your efforts in insuring the success of this uncharted endeavor.
Respectfully,
Margaret Keller
Housing and Community Development Planner
City of Northampton
Cc/ Diane Andes, Spear Management Group
Gerard Hughes, Spear Management Group
Trustees/ Northampton Affordable Housing Trust Fund
file