Stutsman County Housing Authority is experiencing a budget crunch for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Due to the funding shortfall identified, SCHA will not authorize moves or port-outs (transfers) with continue assistance to higher rent jurisdictions. This includes households whose vouchers have been previously transferred from SCHA to another area outside SCHA jurisdiction. If clients choose to move from their current unit, they will be subject to the provisions listed below.

For moves within “ported” jurisdiction:

• SCHA will only approve moves to units that have a rental cost less than or equal to the current assisted rental unit.

For port out of existing jurisdiction:

• The receiving housing authority absorbs the voucher into their existing program.

• The household transfers their voucher to a housing authority whose payment standard is less than or equal to the payment standard of the SCHA.

Because of the budget crunch, SCHA will not be absorbing any new ports or adding any new vouchers until further notice. SCHA will honor any outstanding vouchers. It is unknown at this time the duration of this freeze. SCHA will inform all clients, landlords, and PHAs when the freeze ends.

The Stutsman County Housing Authority board approved new payment standards for Logan & Stutsman Counties recently.  Payment standards are not necessarily the rental cost or what landlords may charge, rather it is what is allowed for rent plus utilities under our program.  If you have questions regarding payment standards, please contact SCHA.

Stutsman County:

• 1 bedroom – $455
• 2 bedroom – $561
• 3 bedroom – $755
• 4 bedroom – $958

Logan County

• 1 bedroom – $454
• 2 bedroom – $565
• 3 bedroom – $796
• 4 bedroom – $867

Stutsman County Housing will be moving to a new location effective November 1, 2010. Our offices will be in the Jamestown Business Center, Suite 200. The new location provides improved parking, elevator access, handicap accessible bathrooms, and convenient location to other services. Visitors can enter the East doors (MedCenter One side) and take the elevator or stairs to second floor.

We look forward to the new location and continuing the excellent service we provide to everyone in Stutsman and Logan Counties.

Landlords and tenants frequently ask us what the payment standards are and who determines them. Each year HUD issues a Fair Market Rent document for each county. That document contains their determined fair market value for various sized complexes. Since vouchers are issued via bedroom size, the fair market value reflects a combination of apartment, home, and mobile home rates. Generally, Stutsman County receives new rates for efficiency, one, two, three, and four bedroom vouchers. Fair Market Rates include the rent plus utilities. These numbers are released during the summer.

Once a housing authority reviews the fair market rates, the authority board can make adjustments according to their knowledge of the local market. The board can set the “Payment Standard” in a range of 90% to 110% of the fair market rate. Each fall the board must set the payment standard and notify HUD of the adjusted rates. The payment standards are in effect for one year, and again, include rent plus utilities.

Payment standard is not necessarily what SCHA will pay a landlord, rather it is a standard used to determine the maximum SCHA can assist a tenant. SCHA will be issuing new payment standards in the coming weeks.