Housing Authority adopts higher payment standards for vouchers to boost leasing

The Housing Authority of the City and County of San Francisco voted unanimously July 21 to adopt higher payment standards for its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, a change staff says will help voucher holders lease units in the current market.

Kendra Crawford, the authority’s housing operations director, told commissioners the action responds to HUD’s fiscal-year 2023 fair market rents and an existing waiver that allows the agency to set payment standards between 100% and 120% of the 50th percentile FMR. “For studio, the payment standard will be $2,669,” she said; Crawford gave additional examples, including a one‑bedroom at $3,300 and a two‑bedroom at $3,949 under the new schedule.

Authority staff recommended the increase for new admissions, moves and port‑ins effective Aug. 1, 2023. They said the higher ceilings will expand housing search options and reduce rent burden for households that otherwise struggle to find units that meet program rent reasonableness and fair‑housing objectives.

Commissioners asked for follow‑up on utilization and how the increases would affect the authority’s budget projections. Grama Dunning, chief financial officer, described current HCV cash flows and reserves and said staff will provide more detailed utilization and leasing‑plan numbers at a future meeting. In presenting monthly metrics, staff noted HAP (Housing Assistance Payments) spending and an estimated reserve that staff is monitoring to avoid HUD recapture.

Public commenters included tenants who praised the authority’s onsite staff efforts. After brief public comment, Commissioner Kendra Crawford moved to approve the resolution and President Joaquin Torres seconded. A roll‑call vote recorded unanimous approval.

What’s next: the payment standard schedule takes effect Aug. 1 for new admissions, new moves and port‑ins; staff will return with utilization and budget impact analyses to inform ongoing monitoring.