rental assistance demonstration program (RAD)
About RAD
The RAD is a voluntary program run by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD purposely created the RAD program to help housing authorities move to a more stable funding platform (from public housing to PBRA/PBV). The change will allow EPCHA to seek additional funding sources to either renovate or replace housing. Ultimately improving the quality of life for all EPCHA residents. Housing authorities that participate under RAD have been able to create major changes such as upgrading to refrigerated air units, major wall, floor, and cabinet renovations, even building new energy efficient apartments.
How Does a RAD Conversion Work?
RAD allows public housing authorities to manage a property using one of two types of HUD funding contracts that are tied to a specific building. Such as Section 8 project-based voucher (PBV); or Section 8 project-based rental assistance (PBRA). Both PBV and PBRA contracts are 15-20 years long and are more stable funding sources. This shift will make it easier for housing authorities to borrow money and use low income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) as well as other forms of financing. These private sources of additional money will enable PHAs to make improvements essential for preserving its properties.
How Can Residents be Involved in the RAD Process?
HUD encourages residents and their public housing authority to work together during the RAD application and conversion process. Before public housing authorities can apply to participate in RAD, HUD requires them to:
- Notify all residents in a development proposed for RAD conversion about their plans; and
- Conduct at least two meetings with those residents.
These meetings are an opportunity for you to discuss the proposed conversion plans with your housing authority, ask questions, express concerns, and provide comments. The housing authority is required to submit your comments and its response as part of the RAD application.
Once HUD selects the housing authority and property to participate in RAD, the housing authority must have at least one additional meeting with all residents of the property before HUD approves the final conversion. This is another opportunity for you to provide comments about the conversion plan.