You are invited!

Helena Housing Authority (HHA) invites public comment regarding Helena Housing Authority’s FY 2025 Annual Plan (FYB 07/01/2024), 2024 Capital Plan, HHA’s proposed low income public housing repositioning strategy and plans, and related redevelopment needs, and revisions to the Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Administrative Plan including HOTMA related revisions. The Draft HHA PHA plan and related documents are available on the HHA website and are available for public review and inspection from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Fridays at the HHA Administrative Office located at 812 Abbey Street, Helena, MT 59601.

The HHA Annual Plan is a plan that informs HUD, residents, program participants and the public of the HHA’s mission serving the housing needs of low-income and very low-income families and the HHA’s strategy for addressing those needs.   The Annual Plan public process is a great opportunity to share ideas and make comments to improve how the HHA operates including our low rent public housing (including Capital Fund improvements), Housing Choice Voucher, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), and VASH Programs.

Helena Housing Authority FY 2025 PHA Plan-Click below to review draft plan:

FINAL MT 004 HHA FY 2024 50075-ST FYB 07 01 2023

HHA Draft 2024 Capital Fund Priorities

HHA Draft 2023 Capital Fund Priorities Binder

Residents and Participants in Helena Housing Authority programs, stakeholders, and interested community members are invited to attend the following public meetings where the HHA Annual Plan and related documents will be discussed and reviewed with opportunities to make public or written comments.  We welcome your involvement to review, and make comments to the final plans, and offer other ideas to improve the operations of the Helena Housing Authority.  Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation or other assistance to participate in this process, if you have questions, or wish to make written comments-please contact Michael M. O’Neil, HHA Executive Director  442-7970 ext. 124 or moneil@hhamt.org .

Meetings regarding these plans will be held in person, via ZOOM on-line, and on the phone.

HHA Residents’ Management Council (Resident Advisory Board)  will hold a Council meeting on Monday March 18, 2024 at 6:00 PM at the ME Anderson lobby at 100 S. Warren Street, Helena, on-line on ZOOM , and on the phone to review and discuss proposed changes and revisions, and to make comments and recommendations to the final plans.

ZOOM Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88625458560?pwd=dThVV1EwOXFpaGZtYlN5UjlieFNxQT09

Meeting ID: 886 2545 8560

Passcode: 323835

Or Join by Phone:  1-346-248-7799; or 1-253-215-8782; or +1 669 444 9171

HHA Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to present and discuss these plans and take public comment on March 19, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. at the HHA HLC Conference Room at 940 N. Roberts; Helena and on Zoom on-line or on the phone.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83740149467?pwd=UnNraHR5TmprdVk5OGUrd3UzSk9GQT09

Meeting ID: 837 4014 9467
Passcode: 986896

Or phone: 1-253-215-8782; 1-346-248-7799; 1-669-444-9171

HHA will hold a public hearing held in-person, on Zoom, and on the phone, on Tuesday April 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.  at the HHA HLC Conference Room at 940 N. Roberts; Helena to review and discuss the plans and allow for public comment.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89213046922?pwd=dDA5ZjBXK0lFOWY2Z0lRU1V5TnhJdz09

Meeting ID: 892 1304 6922
Passcode: 625707

Or phone: 1- 346-248-7799; 1-669-444-9171; 1-669-900-9128

Written comments will be received through Thursday April 11, 2024 at 4:00 PM at the HHA Administrative Office (812 Abbey Street; Helena, MT 59601) or emailed to: moneil@hhamt.org

HHA Board of Commissioners will hold a final public hearing to review and discuss plans, take public comment, and approve final plans and related documents on Tuesday April 16, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. at the HHA HLC Conference Room at 940 N. Roberts; Helena and on Zoom on-line or on  the phone.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89917124828?pwd=WVhnOWY3dVN5ekduNVFMNVJQZG9Rdz09

Meeting ID: 899 1712 4828

Passcode: 396900

Or phone: 1-719-359-4580; 1-253-205-0468; 1-253-215-8782

Issues of particular interest

Proposed HHA HUD Repositioning and Re-development Activities-Exploring Funding Options and Physical Needs

HHA is currently exploring the conversion of all of its public housing properties from the public housing program to the Section 8 rent assistance programs through the different HUD repositioning options now available to public housing authorities (PHAs), including:

  • The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program,
  • Section 18 Demolition and Disposition, and
  • Streamlined Voluntary Conversion (SVC).

This public housing repositioning would allow HHA to finance and undertake major renovations and improvements to all its properties as well as adding additional affordable rental housing for the Helena community. Repositioning maintains affordability of all units with rent assistance similar to public housing based on your household income.

Residents play an important role throughout this process.  HHA is just beginning the process and inviting all residents to join us for these meetings to learn more about this process. HHA will involve residents throughout this process so that you understand the impact on your housing and daily life and your rights related to RAD and repositioning.  Learn more at the upcoming meetings and through reviewing the HUD Guidebook listed below:

A Guide to Public Housing Repositioning: Medium to Large PHAs (250 plus public housing units)

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/Guide_Repositioning_Medium_Large_PHAs.pdf

HOTMA Final Rule 

Helena Housing Authority previously adopted a Public Housing Over-Income policy found in the HHA ACOP page 163.: Restriction on Eviction of Families Based on Income [24 CFR 960.261]:HOTMA Sec 103 See HHA website for ACOP copy.

“ HHA may evict or terminate the tenancies of families who are over the eligible income limit based on their family composition, which shall not exceed 120% of the area median income for Lewis and Clark County, (or a different limitation established by the Secretary). The household must have maintained an income above the 120% of AMI for two consecutive years. HHA must terminate tenancy within 6 months of the second income determination.”…

HUD recently passed the HOTMA final rule clarifying requirements of HOTMA Section 103 effective March 16, 2023.   HHA will be adopting clarifying additions  to its public housing Over-Income Policy to conform with the HOTMA Final Rule-Section 103 . These changes will be discussed at the upcoming meetings and public hearings and adopted at the April 14th Board of Commissioners meeting to be effective immediately to be implemented no later than June 14, 2023.