DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas Recognized as a High-Performing Agency by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Dallas-based housing agency achieves 100% overall score, securing DHA’s spot as a top-ranking housing authority in the nation for the 11th year in a row

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas, serves families seeking housing across seven counties in North Texas, including Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall, and Tarrant. The housing agency has been recognized by HUD with “High Performer” status for its Housing Choice Voucher program, which assists 16,251 households representing 47,102 people. DHA operates the 8th largest Housing Choice Voucher program in the country.

To achieve High Performer status, public housing authorities must score high marks on an annual performance assessment, which includes a review of up to 15 indicators that measure a public housing agency’s operational effectiveness.

The “High Performer” status is the highest rating from HUD to a public housing agency (PHA) for financial management, operations, and regulatory compliance. This designation ranks DHA among the top public housing authorities across the country.

“Our experienced and dedicated Housing Choice Voucher team strives for excellence in operating the program serving residents across North Texas,” said Troy Broussard, president and chief executive officer of DHA. “I am so proud of our team for achieving this well-earned recognition as a High Performer for the 11th year in a row. There are a million logistics to be managed, thousands of households to support, and hundreds of regulatory requirements to adhere to. Our team manages it all with heart and determination, and this achievement is a great way to recognize the team’s hard work.”

HUD has three performance grades in the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP):

• “High Performers” (overall score of 90%+)
• “Standard” (60-89%)
• “Troubled” (0-59%)

The key indicators of performance include:

• Achieve proper selection of applicants from the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list
• Execute sound determination of reasonable rent for each unit leased
• Institute payment standards within the required range of the HUD fair market rent
• Ensure accurate verification of family income
• Execute timely annual reexaminations of family income
• Generate correct calculation of the tenant share of the rent and the housing assistance payment
• Perform maintenance of the current schedule of allowances for tenant utility costs
• Ensure units comply with the housing quality standards before families enter into leases and PHAs enter into housing assistance contracts
• Perform timely annual housing quality inspections
• Perform quality control inspections to ensure housing quality
• Ensure that landlords and tenants promptly correct housing quality deficiencies
• Ensure that all available housing choice vouchers are used
• Expand housing choice outside areas of poverty or minority concentration
• Enroll families in the family self-sufficiency (FSS) program as required and help FSS families achieve increases in employment income

DHA is the tenth-largest public housing authority (PHA) and manages the eighth-largest Housing Choice Voucher program in the nation. The agency provides affordable housing opportunities for over 53,500 people through Public Housing developments and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which contributes more than $26.1 million to the local economy each month.

About DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas (formerly the Dallas Housing Authority)

DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas, provides quality, affordable housing to low-income families and individuals through the effective and efficient administration of housing assistance programs. The agency aims to create opportunities for program participants to achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. DHA provides housing opportunities to ~53,500 people through Public Housing developments and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs. DHA’s mission is to provide affordable, quality housing and access to supportive resources across North Texas. The agency is governed by its Board of Commissioners and administers housing programs funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. DHA is an independent, local government entity that is separate from the Dallas City Housing/Community Services department, which is governed by the City of Dallas. For more information about DHA, please visit www.dhantx.com.