The Harrisonburg Housing Authority approved its March financial reports and management reports and received operational updates on voucher utilization, waiting lists, staffing and homelessness counts.

During the financial review staff said overall finances were "in okay shape" for March; some utility costs were higher at specific properties, and a few budgets showed timing differences because of prepayments. Staff noted two staff vacancies — a former position held by Natalie and an occupancy specialist vacancy — and said one staff member (Charlie) had agreed to pinch-hit short term while the authority evaluates filling those posts.

On federal funding, staff said the continuing resolution passed in March kept Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) funding at existing levels; utilization is higher now than last year, but a recent recancellation adjustment left the authority about $25,000 in the positive after last year’s shortfall. Staff said the authority plans to issue additional vouchers under several voucher types (Allego, mainstream and one VAST voucher noted as vacant) to maximize lease-up and avoid losing funding for unused vouchers.

Staff reported about 210 landlords participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program and emphasized a long waiting list: packet materials and remarks indicated thousands on waiting lists across program areas, with one summary listing more than 4,900 people on the public housing and voucher waiting lists combined and property-specific counts of several thousand on some lists. Staff cautioned the authority will be strategic about opening waiting lists because demand would far exceed available vouchers or units.

The board also heard an update on the point-in-time homeless count; staff said there was approximately a 20% increase in homelessness in recent counts and that shelter use (the navigation center/open doors) had reduced the number of unsheltered individuals during extreme cold weather.

Why it matters: Voucher issuance, lease-up rates and waiting-list management determine how many households the authority can serve and how it uses federal HAP funding. Staff emphasized maximizing lease-up while preserving reserves if funding tightens.

Board action and next steps: The board approved the financial and management reports by voice vote and roll call where recorded. Staff will continue voucher issuance strategies, monitor funding, and report back on landlord recruitment and lease-up progress.