The Scottsdale Housing Agency governing board voted to adopt Resolution 20 25 0 5, setting Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) payment standards at 100 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Agency staff presented the measure and explained the change followed a review of leasing patterns and participant data. “Per federal regulations, the housing agency may set payment standards between 90 and 100% of the small area fair market rent,” staff said, adding the agency reviewed leasing patterns across 14 zip codes and decided to set payment standards at 100 percent of SAFMR to implement cost-saving measures.

Staff told commissioners that payment standards and SAFMRs decreased from the previous year, and the agency has a “hold harmless” rule in its administrative plan to protect current voucher holders: existing participants who receive a higher payment standard will be held harmless and will not see their subsidy reduced by the new standards while they remain in the same unit.

Staff reported fiscal context: the agency’s held reserve is approximately $292,000 and the agency previously set payment standards at 102 percent after seeking technical assistance from HUD. Staff said the average per-unit contribution from the agency is about $1,300, with the tenant paying the remainder, and that differences across bedroom sizes between the prior and proposed payment standards range from about $96 for zero‑bedroom units to $269 for four‑bedroom units.

A commissioner noted most voucher holders use one- and two-bedroom vouchers and that the most prominent zip codes for participants are 85251 and 85257. Staff said those zip codes were circled on the handout for commissioners.

Chair Lurie called for a motion to approve Resolution 20 25 0 5. The motion was made and seconded. A roll call vote recorded unanimous approval: Chair Lurie, Vice Chair Cooley, Commissioner Jeong, Commissioner Hill, Commissioner Shear and Commissioner Roe all voted yes.

Board members also noted that agenda item number 3, Resolution 20 25 0 6 (tenant‑based rental assistance), had been pulled from the agenda and would be considered at a later meeting.