Kelly: PHA Housing Choice Voucher Program is not closed

UPDATE: PHA has recently changed its website to say that the waitlist for the Housing Choice Voucher Program is closed.  Until then, the site had indicated that the Housing Choice Voucher Program is closed.

 

Despite information on its website to the contrary, the Philadelphia Housing Authority insists its Housing Choice Voucher Program is not closed.  The program provides subsidies to landlords to help offer private affordable housing.  Even though on the PHA website, the word “CLOSED” appeared in red next to a description of the housing choice voucher program, PHA Administrative Receiver Michael Kelly insisted the program isn’t closed.  

“We are very much alive and very much in the housing choice voucher business,” he said.

Speaking at a PHA board meeting, Kelly said the program is changing.  Under former CEO Carl Greene, landlords underwent training to participate.

“There was the decision to charge landlords for that service,” Kelly said.  “That was what my report was today, that we’re suspending any charges.”

Landlords will still go through now free training.  Last year, landlords sued PHA, saying the money charged for training was diverted to a non-profit directed by Carl Greene.