![FY 24 BM 039 Table 1.png](/sites/default/files/2023-03/FY%2024%20BM%20039%20Table%201.png)
FY 24 Budget Q&A #039: What authority does the City have to create a housing voucher program and how many would be served by $5 million?
Page updated on March 28, 2023 at 3:30 PM
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Question: What authority does the City have to create a housing voucher program and how many would be served by $5 million? (Councilman Aguirre, Councilwoman Gaskins)
Response: City Code Section 7-2-4(c)(1) states, “The city may upon authorization of council: (1) make grants of funds to owners of dwellings or dwelling units in the city leased to low- or moderate-income persons for the purpose of subsidizing, in part, the rental payments due and owing to any such owner by a low moderate-income person.” This gives the City the authority to offer housing subsidies and/or vouchers.
To enable a voucher-like program that stabilizes housing and enables access for low-income households across the City’s private rental market, higher monthly subsidy amounts must be incorporated in consideration of Alexandria’s average monthly rents for one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Assuming an initial annual investment of $5 million, the chart below demonstrates the number of units/families that might be served as well as the projected staffing requirements. It is anticipated that staff or consultant capacity to design, develop and implement the program initially may be higher than what is required to maintain and operate the program once it is up and running, however eligibility review, compliance, payment processing and case management services would all need to continue. City staff will consult with Arlington County (which administers a local housing auxiliary grant program) and ARHA to review their administrative models.
![FY 24 BM 039 Table 1.png](/sites/default/files/2023-03/FY%2024%20BM%20039%20Table%201.png)