Section 8 director urges conservative budgeting as rents rise; utilization at 96%

Jessica Gannes, director of Peekskill's Section 8 program, told the council the program relies entirely on federal funding and that staff are budgeting conservatively to remain within a 95%-105% utilization target; she reported the program is currently at 96% utilization. "Currently, we're at 96% of our budget," Gannes said as she explained measures already being taken under PIH guidance to limit risk, including pausing new voucher issuance and stricter enforcement of rent-reasonableness.

Gannes outlined HAP (housing-assistance payment) trends, noting rental-assistance costs climbed from about $6.97 million in 2020 to a projected $8.9 million request for 2027; she said the agency has a fund balance and will escalate to HUD early if shortfalls appear. The council also approved related administrative items later in the meeting, including the Section 8 annual plan and an FSS coordinator contract.