HUD issued a ruling on April 17 declaring the Federal Workers Compensation payments (up to $600 per week) as temporary income. Clients will need to report the income to the housing authority, however, the housing authority will only use the state unemployment as income. Clients need to report all income to the housing authority office regardless if the income is temporary or permanent.

GPHA encourages clients to use the online portal to submit unemployment and income statements.

Congress passed the CARES act sending payments to most residents up to $1,200 per person. These payments are considered a one-time tax credit and not income. Housing assistance, food stamps, and other assistance will not count these funds as income. Clients can use these funds as their choose and do not have to report the funds.

Great Plains Housing Authority continues to operate housing assistance programs and the offices are remain closed to the public. Applications are available online, the Jamestown office, and mail if within the jurisdiction. GPHA is adding new clients to assist those in need.

GPHA has team members working remotely processing information and making phone calls. It is highly encouraged, if you call the office to leave a message with your name and number. The office number is monitored for calls and voicemails.

GPHA continues to add tools to the website including the secure portal to upload documents directly to the office (especially any documents that have social security numbers and date of birth). Clients can also email the office for communication.

Client will receive phone calls from GPHA team members to get updates and to check their well-being.

HUD recently published the income limits for 2020. The Very Low Income Limit (50%) is the maximum income allowed for a client to receive housing assistance. However, since HUD uses a formula that is 30% of income, the income limit may be higher than the rent limit. Check under the housing authority tab for Income Limits.

There will be a Dickey Sargent Housing Authority board meeting on April 15.

Great Plains Housing Authority is proposing three administrative changes that require public notices. 

The first notice is to change the Section 8 Administrative Plan to allow for a discretionary deduction of child support payments made by a household member from the income.  The current standard uses gross income regardless of child support paid.  The deduction would only be allowed if the household member is paying child support.

The second notice is to change the 5-Year and Annual Plan to include Project Based Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers.  The utilization of project based vouchers requires long-term contracts and budget allocation.  Mainstream vouchers are specific vouchers awarded through a federal grant process.

The third notice is to add Project Based Vouchers policies and procedures to the Section 8 Administrative Plan.

Any comments should be emailed to david@gphc.biz or mailed to Great Plains Housing Authority, 300 2^nd Ave NE – Suite 200, Jamestown, ND  58401 by Monday, May 18, 2020. The board of commissioners will review and vote on each item at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.