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Moving to Work (MTW)
Applicants for the Public Housing (PH) and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers programs are placed on a combined waiting list for assistance. Applicants are given the first available subsidy location, which may be a public housing site or in the form of a Section 8 Voucher for use in the private market. Most residents, with the exception of the elderly and disabled, are eligible to receive subsidy under these programs for a maximum of 5 years (with some one-year extensions) while they take part in a mandatory self-sufficiency program.
How To Apply
- Make sure you (the tenant) meet all tenant requirements.
- Call a DSHA Contact to begin the application process.
Tenant Qualifications
- Eligible participants of this program are low-income Delawareans who agree to take the necessary steps (education, employment, income, etc.) to become independent of government-assisted housing within five years.
- Preference in the program is given to applicants who are employed or enrolled in Delaware's TANF welfare reform program.
- Participating clients must sign a Contract of Mutual Participation with DSHA. Families will also complete a Resident Action Plan outlining their self-sufficiency goals.
- The Contract of Mutual Participation will limit housing assistance for Moving To Work participants to five years (with a one year extension for participants who have complied with the contract but need more time).
- To provide a real work incentive, rent is capped at a maximum of 35% of a client's monthly adjusted income or $120, whichever is greater. Clients whose rent exceeds $350 at move in are capped at $350. As the client's income increases, it is required that the percentage of the additional income, which formerly would have been paid in rent, be placed in a savings account.
- During the term of the contract, DSHA will provide case management for program participants, and referrals and access to appropriate services.
- While receiving assistance, the client must comply with the contract. If the client does not, a "strike" will be issued. After the third strike, the client's financial assistance will be terminated.
- Strikes are issued when the resident fails to comply with the provisions of the signed contract. Any resident receiving three strikes will be removed from the program and will be expected to pay the fair market rent or move out of assisted housing supplied by DSHA.
- Family Cap: DSHA will not allow an income adjustment for any child born 10 months after the contract is signed.
- When a client reaches the end of the contract (either at the end of five years, or after having received three strikes), they will be allowed to stay in the unit and pay rent at the market rate (with no subsidy). If at the end of their contract 40% of a resident's monthly adjusted income (MAI) is less than the gross rent of their unit, they can remain in the unit paying 30% of their MAI in rent. Any Moving to Work funds will be forfeited. The resident will be required to participate in employment and/or education activities for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Related Programs
DSHA Contacts
Would you like to participate in this program? Do you have questions about this program? Please contact Rebecca Kauffman, Social Service Senior Administrator, at 302.739.4263
