Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)

Citation: Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)
Jurisdiction: Arlington (municipal)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/57214/637641171662530000 ↗

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Availability of Voucher Units
For households that have obtained vouchers, finding a place to use them is not an easy task. One of the more
significant barriers identified by housing providers is the cost of housing. Housing choice vouchers allow residents
to select a housing unit on the open market, provided that it meets certain cost and quality guidelines; the
voucher holder pays an affordable rent based on their income, and the voucher subsidy covers the remainder.
However, there is a significant gap between “Fair Market Rent” (FMR) set by HUD and paid by rental housing
vouchers and rents in high-cost markets like Arlington. Arlington’s median gross rent is more than fair market rents
for all but the largest units. Arlington’s median gross rent, according to either Census ($1,379) or PadMapper
($1,950) data, is higher than 2015 Fair Market Rents for all unit sizes other than those with four bedrooms.
Furthermore, one provider noted some cases in which a voucher holder’s rent, while originally within guidelines,
was raised to beyond the fair market rent.
The AHA could consider Small Area FMRs as a way to bridge this rental price gap. Small Area FMRs are based
on the average rents at the submarket level, rather than the regional level. The AHA’s current payment standards
are lower than what HUD allows under the Small Area FMRs for Zip Codes 02474 and 02476. Voucher holders
would be able to rent apartments that are approximately $200-$300 more per month than current payment
standards, thus increasing the number of eligible apartments.

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Arlington Fair Housing Action Plan