HUD selects Grinnell (Iowa) Housing Authority as part of new Moving to Work: Asset Building Demonstration cohort

(L-R) HUD Region 7 Deputy Regional Administrator Bruce Ladd, Region 7 Iowa Field Office Director Steve Eggleston, Region 7 Regional Administrator Ulysses Clayborn, Grinnell Housing Authority Executive Director Susan Hiner, and Grinnell City Manager Russ Behrens.

On September 27, 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the expansion of its Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program to include a new Asset Building cohort of 18 public housing authorities (PHAs). First authorized by Congress in 1996, MTW is a demonstration that provides PHAs the opportunity to redefine how they operate by giving them the flexibility to try "outside the box" ideas that address local community needs in innovative ways.

The Grinnell Housing Authority, outside of the Des Moines, Iowa metro area in Poweshiek County, was selected by HUD as one of the 18 PHAs to join MTW. The authority administers over 160 HCVs to area households, helping them access safe, sanitary and quality housing on the open market.

On Tuesday, October 4, HUD Regional Administrator Ulysses Clayborn and his regional leadership team visited with the authority's executive director, Susan Hiner, to celebrate this accomplishment.

When asked about what being an MTW agency means to her, Hiner commented that, "Meeting our community's housing needs is a daily challenge but brings such a relief to the individuals and families when they receive a Housing Choice Voucher. In order to reduce the number of clients receiving vouchers it is important to work with them to break down barriers and achieve financial independence. The Moving to Work - Asset Building program for Poweshiek County will help people get an education, work with them to obtain employment, support them to understand financial responsibilities while improving their credit scores and see them accomplish independence as they move into their own homes."

With the addition of the 18 PHAs selected for this cohort, HUD will have added a total of 87 PHAs to the MTW Demonstration Program since January 2021. MTW PHAs are now in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

This cohort is a key component of HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge's economic justice agenda: Bridging the Wealth Gap. HUD will evaluate the asset building activities of these PHAs, especially their plans for encouraging the creation and growth of savings accounts and/or aims to build credit, through rent reporting, for assisted households. HUD will first call a community of practice of the selected agencies to discuss and develop these policies for implementation and evaluation.

"What a tremendous day for the Grinnell Housing Authority. On behalf of our Office of Public and Indian Housing that works with you and your team on a daily basis, I want to say well-done," said Regional Administrator Clayborn. "The work of this cohort and HUD's economic justice agenda overall, is helping renters improve their credit scores, accessing bank accounts, and being able to save for the future. It is truly aimed at empowering you all to develop solutions that meet the specific needs of your community."

###