PDAS Richard Monocchio to meet with rental housing leaders, discuss industry challenges and successes of Section 8 HCV program.
The National Apartment Association (NAA) is honored to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Richard Monocchio to improve the housing provider experience with the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and increase quality housing options for HCV recipients and their families. The tour will, in part, celebrate 50 years of the Housing and Community Development Act and creation of the Section 8 HCV program, while also exploring mutually beneficial ways that the program can be revitalized and improved.
This collaborative roadshow gives HUD direct access to active housing providers and an opportunity to hear, in real time, the operational realities of the HCV program. NAA and its 97,000 members recognize the critical importance of the HCV program and have a shared interest with HUD in improving and expanding the program.
“NAA is thrilled and humbled to help convene these critical meetings–our members have the lived experience of providing housing to 40 million Americans and are eager to share these important operational insights,” said Bob Pinnegar, NAA President and CEO. “We thank PDAS Monocchio for his willingness to not only hear from housing providers themselves, but to work together to help tackle affordability challenges. Today we celebrate 50 years of the Housing and Community Development Act and look forward to another 50 years of stronger and better housing opportunities.”
PDAS Monocchio kicked off the tour in Philadelphia at NAA’s Apartmentalize, where he participated in a fireside chat with Bonnie Smetzer, Executive Vice President of Asset Living, Past President of the Florida Apartment Association and Board Member of NAA. During this conversation, Smetzer shared her company’s experience with the HCV program, one of the largest managers of affordable housing in the country, and discussed ways to “take issues off the table” and remove barriers to housing provider participation in the program. Following the fireside chat, PDAS Monocchio connected with NAA volunteer leaders and affiliate partners from across the country and toured Francis House of Peace, a Pennsylvania Apartment Association member and affordable housing community. In addition to Philadelphia, PDAS Monocchio will visit Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland; El Paso, Texas; Lansing, Mich.; Las Cruces, N.M.; and Tampa, Fla.
“The Biden Administration has made historic investments in the Housing Choice Voucher program and expanded rental assistance to individuals and families in need of a safe, stable home,” said PDAS Monocchio. “To ensure the voucher program is as strong and accessible as possible, it is critical for HUD and housing authorities to work with private and nonprofit housing providers. These partnerships at the local level ensure people can move to and live in communities of their choosing in high-quality homes, and HUD is pleased to work with NAA and its members to strengthen those partnerships nationwide.”
To learn more about this partnership between NAA and HUD, contact Nicole Upano, NAA's AVP of Housing Policy and Regulatory Affairs at [email protected] or to listen to PDAS Monocchio on the NAA Apartmentcast podcast.