Emergency Housing Vouchers

Emergency Housing Vouchers

On May 5, 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued the HUD Notice HUD Notice PIH 2021-15 regarding Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV). Approximately 70,000 emergency housing vouchers (EHVs) were offered to public housing agencies (PHAs). For Arizona, HUD allocated approximately 1,200 EHVs. We, the Arizona Public Housing Authority (APHA) that services Yavapai County, accepted the maximum allocation of 46 EHVs.

Emergency Housing Voucher were offered to public housing authorities to assist individuals and families who are:

• Homeless,
• At risk of homelessness,
• Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or
• Were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability.

These Emergency Housing Vouchers will have a direct and positive impact to Arizona’s most vulnerable families.

The EHVs are unique in that HUD is providing a Service Fee of $3,500 per EHV that may be used for the following:

• Housing Search Assistance
• Security/Utility Deposit/Rental Application/Holding Fee Expense Uses
• Owner Related Uses
• Other Eligible Uses

These HUD and PHA efforts are designed to increase owner/agent participation and usage. These EHVs are expected to be used/leased by September 30, 2023 and will expire September 30, 2030.

The Arizona Public Housing Authority (APHA) will work with the local Continuum of Care (CoC) and/or other local Partner Agencies to provide direct referrals of the EHVs to the APHA.

The APHA, CoC, and Partner Agencies will promote equal housing choice for all prospective residents regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, non-binary, disability, familial status, national origin, and/or limited English proficiency. These factors will be assessed in order to eliminate institutional racism, systemic racism, and implicit bias.

In addition, we will assess, market, and make special efforts to embed the principles of racial equity in these areas and will seek to attract persons who are least likely to apply. People most harmed by COVID, housing instability and homelessness include racial minorities, especially Black and Indigenous people, those who are elderly, and those who have health problems, especially respiratory problems.

The Notice may be found at: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/publications/notices

We encourage you to ask your PHA if they are implementing EHVs! If you would like more information, please feel free to contact the ADOH-APHA.

Arizona Department of Housing
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 280
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 602-771-1000
Fax: 602-771-1002   

Housing Matters | Summer 2021