MTW Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does MTW stand for?
A: While the official name of the federal demonstration program is "Moving to Work," we are calling our program "Making Things Work" because it better encompasses what we can do in this program. Through MTW, housing authorities are given flexibility to use funding more efficiently, help employment-focused residents find employment and become self-sufficient, and increase housing choices. MTW gives housing authorities waivers from many of the regular rules and lets them use funding in new ways.
Q: What MTW changes apply to me?
A: If you are part of the Tiered Rent policy (most non-elderly, non-disabled households), certain parts of our current rent policy will change. Through the MTW program, we are evaluating and submitting waivers on an annual basis. One of those waivers that was approved for 2022 is for asset verification. The current program requires you to verify your assets over $5,000, but through this waiver, the new program will have you only verify assets over $50,000. As we move forward with MTW, other changes may apply to you and we will continue to post updates and news on our website.
Q: I have a voucher through EHA - how will this affect me?
A: All participants in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program will see some changes in how the program is administered: e.g., participants will be able to self-certify assets of $50,000 or more as part of the reexamination process rather than having those assets verified.
Elderly and/or disabled participant households, including those with a member who is employed, will see no change to the way their rent is calculated. All other HCV participant households will be classified as "work-focused": one-half of households within this group will participate in the tiered rent study, and the other half will continue to have their rent calculated using current methods.
EHA will continue to implement incremental changes to the HCV program over the 20-year period the MTW agreement with HUD remains in effect. For example, the change to recertifications every three years instead of annually may eventually apply to all HCV program participants.
Q: When will the MTW activities and associated waivers go into effect?
A: Most new MTW activities will go into effect on July 1. However, participants selected for the tiered rent study will not see changes in their rent until at least December 2022.
Q: How long will EHA be an MTW agency?
A: EHA will remain an MTW agency for at least 20 years, which is the length of the HUD contract.
Q: How can I give feedback to EHA about the local MTW program?
A: We will post upcoming MTW meetings and news on our MTW landing page. You may also email us.
