Our Residents

Chapter 1
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM AND PLAN
INTRODUCTION

The PHA receives its funding for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development. The PHA is not a federal department or
agency. A public housing agency (PHA) is a governmental or public body, created and
authorized by state law to develop and operate housing and housing programs for low-income
families. The PHA enters into an Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD to administer
the program requirements on behalf of HUD. The PHA must ensure compliance with federal
laws, regulations and notices and must establish policy and procedures to clarify federal
requirements and to ensure consistency in program operation.
This chapter contains information about the PHA and its programs with emphasis on the HCV
program. It also contains information about the purpose, intent and use of the plan and guide.
There are three parts to this chapter:
Part I: The Public Housing Agency (PHA). This part includes a description of the PHA,
its jurisdiction, its programs, and its mission and intent.
Part II: The HCV Program. This part contains information about the Housing Choice
Voucher program operation, roles and responsibilities, and partnerships.
Part III: The HCV Administrative Plan. This part discusses the purpose and organization
of the plan and its revision requirements.
PART I: THE PHA
1-I.A. OVERVIEW
The Section 8 tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher Program [“HCVP”] is funded by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development [“HUD”] and is administered by
the Springfield Housing Authority [“SHA”] for the jurisdiction of Massachusetts.
The SHA is governed by a Board of five commissioners [“Board”]. The Board is
appointed in accordance with state housing law and establishes policies by which the
SHA conducts business. The Board is responsible for preserving and expanding the
SHA’s resources and assuring its continued viability. Formal actions of the SHA are
recorded in written resolutions, adopted by the Board and entered into the official
records of the SHA.
The principal staff member of the SHA is the executive director [ED], hired and
appointed by the Board. The ED is directly responsible for carrying out the policies
established by the Board and is delegated