The Preservation Working Group, a national coalition of affordable housing owners, developers, advocates, tenant associations, and state and local housing agencies, recently submitted a comment letter to HUD regarding two sources sought notices from The Department for HAP Contract National Support Services and HAP Contract Regional Support Services.
The letter, which NH&RA joined as a signatory, argues that Public Housing Agencies are best suited to oversee Project-Based Section 8 portfolios. State HFAs, acting as the majority of PHAs in this situation, are uniquely positioned in having local knowledge of the properties, markets, and stakeholders in their own states, sharing a working history with property owners. The letter further states concern that were HUD to go through with an RFP process, it could be in violation of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 requiring HUD to renew HAP contracts via Annual Contributions Contracts with PHAs.
The Preservation Working Group also expresses concern that if HUD were to contract with one entity, the 16,000 contract renewals and rent adjustments would prove too burdensome, regardless of the entity.
The sources sought notices from HUD are not requests for offers, quotes, or proposals. The notices serve as a method to solicit comments from capable sources and to assess the capability of potential sources.
