Housing mobility for participants in the housing voucher programs in Cuyahoga County is low as voucher participants are being excluded from high opportunity areas. Housing Research & Advocacy Center’s (The Housing Center) newest report, “Housing Voucher Mobility in Cuyahoga County,” examines the ability of voucher participants to choose where they live and those obstacles that prevent participants from accessing housing in greater opportunity areas. Within Cuyahoga County, households using vouchers are clustered in racially segregated areas, with high poverty, high crime, low educational opportunities, and high exposure to environmental hazards.
When surveyed, the majority of voucher participants stated their desire for housing in neighborhoods of low crime and high quality schools. The most significant challenges to finding affordable housing cited by participants include: landlords who do not accept the voucher (79.3%), finding housing in their price range (58.3%), security deposit (53%), and moving costs (44.4%). Households using vouchers are priced out of much of the rental housing in Cuyahoga County. Fair Market Rent, the determinant of voucher buying power, is not enough for the average rental unit in high opportunity neighborhoods. The voucher does not cover the security deposit or any costs associated with the move; therefore, voucher holders must come up with the security deposit and cover moving costs on their own.
While the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program could provide an opportunity to expand housing for voucher participants by financing low income housing in high opportunity areas, LIHTC properties in Cuyahoga County currently do not expand housing choice, and the majority are in areas of concentrations of racialized poverty. Housing providers are key actors in the success of the voucher program and the mobility of participants. However, of those landlords surveyed who participate in the voucher program, more than half report dissatisfaction with the program, citing issues with housing inspections, low rents, and administrative inefficiencies at PHAs.
The Housing Center recommends maintaining the usable value of the voucher based on Small Area Fair Market Rent; implementing a funding program for moving cost and security deposit assistance program for current housing voucher participants; streamlining administrative processes and providing technical assistance to landlords; marketing the voucher program to landlords in higher opportunity areas; strengthening PHA support for voucher holders through mobility counseling, search assistance, up to date registries, and extended search times; construction of LIHTC units in low-poverty neighborhoods; and supporting source of income protection in municipalities.
This study and report were funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The authors and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in the publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the review of the Federal Government.