Emphasys Consulting works with many PHAs, and we have performed years of Voucher Management System (VMS) reporting for their respective Housing Choice Voucher Programs (HCVP). We also have been engaged by clients to assist with HUD’s Quality Assurance Division (QAD) audits of the HCVP and VMS reporting. In our many years of experience, we have routinely found that many PHAs struggle to maintain the VMS reporting category and the tenant Voucher type accurately. This means that both VMS and PIC reporting is not correct.

We’ve been hearing from HUD that PIC-NG is coming and, although the release of PIC-NG is currently a little behind schedule, it will be here very soon, and it will be replacing VMS reporting.

So, what does this mean?

HUD uses the VMS reporting system to perform what they refer to as Cash Management, meaning that PHAs receive their funding from HUD based on the information that is entered into HUD’s online VMS system.

When HUD replaces the PHA manually entered VMS reporting requirement, they will replace it by using the Tenant Characteristics Report (HUD Form 50058) data that is transmitted each month to the HUD PIC system to determine both the voucher count by voucher increment type and your expenses in order to determine your funding.

We are expecting that, upon implementation of PIC-NG, there will be a period of uncertainty in data accuracy requiring reconciliation to get PIC-NG information accurate. During this reconciliation process, we don’t know how HUD will determine your funding which we know will complicate matters and potentially delay funding.

Emphasys Consulting would like to help you ensure the highest level of accuracy of your 50058 data now, so your PIC-NG implementation experience is as smooth as possible.

Contact Emphasys Consulting today!

While it appears the United States economy is finally beginning the long road to recovery, the personal financial impact on millions around the country continues to grow. After millions of Americans lost work during nationwide lockdowns, rental debt and eviction worries have begun to skyrocket, leaving a growing number of people with deep housing insecurity. Affordable housing has long been an issue in America and the effects of the pandemic have propelled the crisis into uncharted waters. Fortunately, the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program was created to provide funding for households that have had difficulties paying their rent and utilities. As a PHA, you want to roll out a successful ERA program. But, how do you go about making that happen?

The ERA has two programs, ERA1, with a provision of up to $25 billion in funds, and ERA2, providing up to $21.55 billion. The first was enacted in December of 2020, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, while the second was enacted in March of 2021, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. In both programs, funds are given to states, Indian tribes, local governments, and U.S. territories, who are then responsible for using the funds as assistance to eligible households in their rental and utility needs. 

In order for eligible people to obtain funding from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, they need to apply through their state or local governing entity. As the Public Housing Authority in your area, and if qualified, you will work directly with ERA funds, helping people in your community obtain the money they need. 

The US Treasury has created a streamlined process for the completion and submission of applications. Using an electronic portal, potentially eligible individuals can review the requirements for eligibility and apply for the ERA2. 

Rolling Out a Successful ERA Program

You’ll want to ensure a seamless and successful ERA program rollout in your PHA. The best way to do that is with top software that gives you the tools you need for success. While you may already use PHA software, you might want to make a change for the ERA program. Using the right software will help you create an effective ERA rollout in your community. 

Here’s what you want to consider when choosing your new PHA software:

Length of time in the PHA industry

Choose a software provider who has been around for a decent length of time, assisting with PHA processes, organization, and more. Opting for new software is risky; lacking experience, not having time to work out the kinks, and few people to provide feedback on it. With PHA software, it’s not the time to experiment with the newest. Pick a tried and true software that’s been around for a decent length of time. 

Proven track record

Along with longevity, you will want to find software that has a proven track record of success. Check references and testimonials to find out if certain software is known to provide the right results. If reviews aren’t overwhelmingly positive, or the software hasn’t been around long enough to gain them, you’ll want to look elsewhere. 

Used for traditional housing

When finding a PHA software that works cohesively with the ERA Program, you also want to make sure that it can be used for traditional housing as well. While the ERA rollout is a current consideration, eventually you’ll need that software to circle back to more traditional housing needs. Don’t get caught making the change to a one-function software. 

Finding a PHA Software Vendor

When you talk with vendors, you’ll need to ask questions in order to gain clarity on the most essential issues. One of the most important questions to ask vendors is if they are big enough to take on the rollout of the ERA Program. 

Traditional PHA software will have a number of features such as customer care, data conversion, financial and management consulting, as well as other professional services that help Public Housing Authorities streamline their processes and serve their communities. With the addition of the ERA Program, PHA software will include these features as well as additional features applicable to the program. You will want to make sure that any vendor you talk with can confidently say they’re ready to take it on. 

As you partner with a vendor to use a PHA software for the ERA Program, there are a few things you’ll need to look out for:

• Is the platform ready to go? 
• Does it have effective reporting?
• Will it be able to be deployed quickly? 

Finding the right PHA software and implementing it quickly should be a top priority. As you work to get help to those hurting in your community, you need great software that will meet your needs and provide effective assistance to your rollout of the ERA Program. 

It’s time to build back your community, help your residents, and breathe life back into your area’s housing. A great PHA software can help you do just that. 

EXPLORE EMPHASYS AS YOUR PHA SOFTWARE VENDOR.

HUD/HHS Work Together to Provide Greater Access to COVID-19 Vaccines

The efforts to increase access to COVID-19 vaccine options are underway, with a joint effort between the US Health and Human Services and the US Housing and Urban Development. The agencies are partnering up in an attempt at assisting communities that have been disproportionately affected by aspects related to COVID-19. This includes households obtaining assistance from HUD, as well as people in the midst of homelessness.

As the HUD/HHS work together to provide greater access to COVID-19 vaccines, the partnership will leverage the COVID-19 vaccine program as a way to reach thousands of public housing properties, multi-family housing properties, and homeless shelters across the country. Through the collaboration, COVID-19 resource access will be increased in these at-risk communities in an attempt to reduce the spread of the virus and assist in the well-being of families and individuals. Increased resources include readily available vaccinations and COVID-19 tests. 

While vaccination numbers continue to steadily increase, it is among the most vulnerable and at-risk populations that numbers remain low. Disabled individuals, senior citizens, minority and marginalized households, low-income families, and the homeless are the types of groups served by the HUD. By partnering together, the HUD and HHS will be able to expand these groups’ access to complete COVID-19 care and prevention.

This is a combined effort to further the purposes of the Biden administration, as it works to create a cohesive and effective COVID-19 response. As the efforts to vaccinate all Americans continue, the HUD/HHS partnership targets the vulnerable communities that could otherwise be left out. 

As a part of the effort, community health centers are being asked to reach out to the groups and grant recipients associated with the HUD. These groups include public housing authorities, single and multi-family owners, homeless providers, and more. 

As a public housing authority, you will be able to work together with your community health center to craft a seamless strategy for the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19. An effective strategy will include vaccination, testing, and treatments. 

With many Americans, including those in vulnerable communities, distrustful of the COVID-19 vaccine, part of a comprehensive strategy will include a cultural and educational approach to vaccine effectiveness and safety.

You may be asked to facilitate COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in your communities by providing registration and scheduling, as well as running on-site vaccination clinics in your housing development. 

Work with your community health center to determine how you can best serve your public housing sites and communities in this combined HUD/HHS COVID-19 response. Assisting in testing and vaccination is a huge step in the fight against COVID-19. If you need help with the organization, implementation, or related needs around software, reach out any time to a member of our team.