THA GOVERNING BOARD QUARTERLY UPDATE MEMO_040626.PDF

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MEMORANDUM 
 
TO: 
 
Tempe Housing Authority Governing Board 
FROM: 
 
Irma Hollamby Cain, THA Executive Director  
DATE: 
 
April 06, 2026 
SUBJECT:  
 Housing Authority Governing Board Quarterly Update  
Background 
 
The following memorandum provides updates on the Tempe Housing Authority’s (THA) current events, 
program performance, and other Housing Services Division-related activities. 
THA’s various housing subsidy types and associated projected leasing rates as of March 2026: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Update 
THA predominantly operates with funding allocated through the 
Congressional budget process to HUD.  The allocated funding is 
committed to the Agency based on an established funding formula.   
Tempe’s CY 2025 total budget authority is $18,853,493.  As of 
December 2025, THA budget utilization is 100.26%.  Housing voucher 
year-to-date leasing is 92.46% of allocated vouchers leased up in the 
private market.  THA’s current average Per Unit Cost is $1,520.38.     
In calendar year 2025, funding of THA’s Mainstream program was capped by HUD 
at 90% of 
eligible funding.  This has caused THA to carefully balance voucher issuance and rental assistance 
provided on behalf of participants.   
 
Program 
 
Units 
Leasing 
Rate 
Housing Choice Voucher Program 
 
1,069 
90% 
HUD-VASH Program 
 
40 
100% 
Mainstream Voucher 
 
64 
89% 
Family Unification Program 
 
30 
83% 
Emergency Housing Vouchers 
 
31 
100% 
Total Vouchers 
 
1,234 
 
Budget Authority 
$18.8M 
Percentage Utilized 
100.26%

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Program Update (November 2025 Data) 
 
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HUD-VASH: The HUD-VASH program is a collaboration between HUD and the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.  This program provides housing assistance for VA eligible Veterans who meet the McKinney Act 
definition of homelessness.  Eligible participants participate in case management, supportive services, 
and treatment recommendations needed to successfully maintain recovery and sustain housing in the 
community.  This program currently has 40 families housed.  We are actively collaborating with the 
referring agency to ensure full utilization of our VASH voucher allocation.  At this time, two families are 
currently searching for a unit.  
 
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MAINSTREAM: Mainstream is a HUD program designed specifically to assist non-elderly persons with 
disabilities who are at serious risk of institutionalization, homelessness, or at risk of becoming 
homeless.  This program currently has 57 families housed.  The full allocation of Mainstream vouchers 
has not been utilized due to a 10% funding reduction from the previous year, resulting in a shortfall that 
limits the THA from issuing additional vouchers. 
 
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FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM:  The Family Unification Program (FUP) is a HUD program specifically 
designed to assist two distinct populations, Families and Foster Youth: 
1. Families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in: 
 
The imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care, or 
 
The delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-home care. 
2. Foster youth 18 to 24 years old and who have aged out of the system or will leave foster care within 
90 days.  The duration of housing assistance for foster youth is not to exceed 36 months. 
 
The THA is currently processing additional referrals received from the Department of Children’s 
Services.  This program currently has 25 families leased.  We are actively collaborating with the 
referring agency to ensure full utilization of our FUP voucher allocation.  At this time, one family is 
currently searching for a unit, and we are working closely with our partners to identify and refer 
additional eligible families and youth.  
 
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EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS: THA has an allocation of 31 vouchers.  These are limited, one-
time use vouchers specifically for homeless or housing insecure individuals/households impacted by 
COVID-19.  They were to be available for a period of up to 10 years to ensure continued stability.  The 
program is operated in conjunction with the Regional Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry.  This 
program currently has 31 families leased. 
 
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TENANT BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS: THA administers a HOME funded Tenant Based 
Rental Assistance program designed to end/prevent homelessness for individuals who are currently 
homeless, at risk of homelessness, or will be homeless due to fleeing domestic violence.  Referrals to 
the program are required.  Referral partners include Mercy House Living Centers, CARE7, HOPE Team, 
Community Supervision, and Tempe Union High School District McKenny Vento liaisons.  9 households 
are currently leased up.

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FAMILY SELF SUFFICIENCY (FSS): The THA Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program is a key initiative 
designed to help Housing Choice Voucher families achieve economic independence and self-
sufficiency.  Participants work toward specific goals, such as obtaining employment, improving their 
education and increasing their income.  Currently there are 64 families enrolled in the FSS program 
with 24 families earning escrow.  11 families are currently on the FSS waitlist.  
 
Other Housing Related Activities & Information 
 
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EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER TO SUNSET: HUD has officially notified Public Housing Authorities 
that EHV funding will no longer be renewed under current budget projections.  The remaining funds are 
estimated to sustain current families through early 2027, but no new funding will be available after 
December 2026, unless HUD is able to reallocate unspent funds from other PHAs in the Country.  
PHAs are encouraged to transition EHV participants into the standard Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) 
program using available HCV funding capacity.  In preparation for this transition, the THA will work 
closely with HUD and the 31 participating households to be added to the waitlist and transitioned to 
HCV as capacity is available.  THA has received a waiver to add participating EHV families to the 
current HCV waiting list. As HCV funding becomes available, eligible EHV participants will be 
transitioned from the EHV program to the HCV program in accordance with HUD regulations and THA 
policy. 
 
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HOME REPAIR PROGRAMMING: As of August 2025, outreach has been conducted to 19 households for 
our targeted AC Repair program; and of those, 3 have completed the eligibility determination and 
scope development phase, and have completed the environmental review phase, with one AC 
replacement completed.  The larger Home Rehabilitation Loan Program was scheduled to be launched 
by March 2026 and will not be delayed as a result of the staff vacancy. Outreach has been conducted 
to 41 individuals on the waitlist for substantial home repair services and addressing any Microburst 
Emergency Home Repair inquiries.  
 
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FAMILY SELF SUFFICIENCY SUCCESSES: During this quarter, the Tempe Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) 
program successfully graduated one participant who earned $5,222.56 in escrow. In January, we held 
our 2025 graduation ceremony, bringing together 112 attendees to honor all program graduates from 
the cities of Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa and Chandler. We continued engagement through our newly 
launched monthly newsletter, sharing program updates, financial tips, and community resources 
supporting FSS goals. Looking ahead, we are preparing an April workshop at the Tempe EnVision 
Center in partnership with Dress for Success, providing participants with professional outfits, mock 
interviews through Arizona@Work, and headshots courtesy of IDIA. 
 
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BRIDGE SHELTER OPERATIONS: Housing Services Division is at the tail end of a competitive bid 
process to select a shelter operator. Apache Inn shelter rehabilitation planning and design is nearly 
complete, and financing of the rehabilitation is secure.