October 5, 2007
The Housing Authority Is Meeting It’s Mission

• 99% of Public Housing is occupied by those with low or moderate incomes
• 1% of the residents have incomes which have increased over time and are now at levels where they need to move on.
• The median income in Public Housing is $16,404; half living in Public Housing have very low incomes.

The FCRHA Has Been Proactive and Is Now Requiring that those with Higher Incomes Move On

• The FCRHA adopted a policy in March that will require those residents in Public Housing whose incomes have risen to above the area median income to move out.
• Eleven households fall into this category.
• The FCRHA adopted this policy 27 months after HUD rules allowed it.

If Incomes Go Up, Rent Goes Up

• As incomes rise, residents are required to pay more in rent, up to market rent.

The Housing Authority Encourages Those with Higher Incomes to Become Homeowners

• We provide homeownership workshops and have even set up Homeownership Clubs for our residents.
• We have not tracked the move to homeownership as well as we would like, but for those properties where we have, 50% of those leaving have moved on to homeownership.
• We are looking to work with 45 public housing residents over the next three years to help them move them on to homeownership.

Incomes Rise Over Time—That is the Good News

• Rising incomes in Public Housing in Fairfax means that our residents are working and becoming self-sufficient.  We do not have a “welfare culture” in our Public Housing.
• Incomes rise when individuals marry; when children grow up and get jobs; and as individuals move from a job to a career.

We Are Following the Rules; Not Making Them

• Federal rules do not allow individuals to be kicked out when their incomes rise. They do allow their rent to rise, which is the case in Fairfax.
• New HUD rules for Public Housing do allow a ceiling income and the FCRHA has adopted this policy.
• In cases where there are only County funds involved (no federal funds), the FCHRA has also adopted a ceiling income policy.

Should FCRHA Housing All Be Reserved for Extremely Low Incomes?

• High concentrations of the very poor have proven to be devastating to cities throughout the country. In fact, HUD has spent millions tearing down this type of public housing and creating mixed income communities.
• Fairfax County’s Public Housing is accepted in its neighborhoods because we strive for a mix of income.