October 2022 Newsletter

October 2022 Newsletter

A Message from EHA's Executive Director

I want the Everett Housing Authority to be more than just an opportunity for 4,000 or more households to have quality affordable housing. Our housing should be more than just a means of surviving and coping with poverty. It should open the pathway for our families to thrive.

  • Did you know that three of EHA's directors, including me, grew up in Public Housing or benefited from a Housing Choice Voucher?
  • Did you know that last year, two Housing Choice Voucher families graduated from the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) each receiving a check of over $30,000?
  • Did you know that under our MTW Plan we want a self-sufficiency program to be available to any and all households whose earned incomes increase while enrolled in such a program?

Set your goals high so that you and your children and your children's children will thrive and not merely survive.

register for a chance to win a free computer from compudopt

Compudopt provides reconditioned computers to families who do not own a computer in their home. The computer is free. It is yours to keep forever. Compudopt will provide “how to” tech support for up to 2 years.

TO QUALIFY

Families must not OWN a working computer at home. (Devices provided by the school should not be counted as they are not owned by the family). You only need to register one time for the giveaway.

SIGN UP ONLINE

Visit compudopt.org/washington and click on “Computer Giveaway” and complete the registration form. Compudopt will send a text message to the phone number you entered if you are selected to receive a computer. Please note recipients will be randomly selected; not everyone who registers will receive a computer.

COMPUTER DISTRIBUTION

Families who are randomly selected will receive an access code to pick up your computer. Please look for a text message with the date and time to pick up your computer.

Questions? Please email to info@compudopt.org.

Don’t have a working computer at home? Compudopt is here to help! Register: compudopt.org/washington

ALL ABOUT: TIERED RENT STUDY

Why is EHA doing this?

EHA is implementing the study to see if the new rent policy helps households increase their income and creates less paperwork for households and EHA. Half of eligible households will pay rent under the new Tiered Rent policy and half will pay rent under the existing rent policy so we can compare the results for both groups.

Who qualifies?

Only non-elderly, non-disabled households (what we call “employment focused” households) will be eligible for the rent study. In addition, certain other households, including households who are currently participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, are also excluded. Eligible households will be randomly selected to either pay the new tiered rent or the current rent. Half of eligible households will be part of the new rent policy and half will pay the current rent.

If either the head or co-head of household is elderly and/or disabled, the participants will not be selected for the study.

How will my rent be different?

Half of eligible households will pay rent under the new Tiered Rent policy and half will pay rent under the existing rent policy so we can compare the outcomes for both groups. Here are some examples of how the Tiered Rent policy might help EHA participants and residents:

CURRENT RENT POLICY

TIERED RENT POLICY

You need to recertify your income every year.

You only have to recertify your income every 3 years. If you have an increase, you do not have to report it. If you have a decrease in income, you can report if you would like to receive a hardship exemption to temporarily reduce your rent.

The amount you pay for rent changes every year.

The amount you pay for rent may stay the same for up to 3 years.

Most households will see no change in their rent, or a small rent decrease. A handful of households may experience a modest rent increase. Households facing larger rent increases will be able to request a hardship to lessen the impact of the new rent policy on their rent.

The rent table continues for additional increments of $2,500. We will begin the process of enrolling families starting January 2023, with their first month of annuals falling in May 2023.

TIER INCOME MIN. INCOME MAX. MONTHLY RENT
1 $0 $2,499 $50
2 $2,500 $4,999 $87
3 $5,000 $7,499 $146
4 $7,500 $9,999 $204
5 $10,000 $12,499 $262
6 $12,500 $14,999 $321
7 $15,000 $17,499 $379
8 $17,500 $19,999 $437
9 $20,000 $22,499 $496
10 $22,500 $24,999 $554
11 $25,000 $27,499 $612
12 $27,500 $29,999 $671

 

Triennial Recertifications

One major change you will see if you are part of this study is that you recertify your income every 3 years, instead of every year. If you have an increase, you do not have to report it and it will not impact your rent. If you have a decrease in income, you can report it if you would like to apply for a temporary hardship reduction in your rent.

OTHER MTW CHANGES

As we’ve mentioned before, MTW gives housing authorities waivers from many of the regular rules and lets them use funding in new ways. EHA will remain an MTW agency for at least 20 years, which is the length of the HUD contract.

Here are some other MTW changes you may see with us over time (and if you qualify for the changes):

Asset Verification Over $50,000 (Reexaminations)

Who this affects: All EHA households

The current program requires you to provide documents to verify your assets (bank accounts, investments, etc.) over $5,000, but through this waiver, at your reexamination you will only be required to verify assets that exceed $50,000.

Priority for Tenant Based Voucher Assistance

Who this affects: PBV households and households on the voucher waiting list

EHA will implement a policy of providing one voucher to assist someone from the tenant-based waiting list for each moving voucher given to a tenant moving out of a PBV unit.

Reexaminations for Elderly and Disabled Participants

Who this affects: Elderly and disabled households

EHA is exploring ways to streamline the reexamination process for elderly and disabled households, which would be rolled out no earlier than July 2023. Stay tuned for more information in the next several months.

Reexamination Income Verifications

Who this affects: EHA staff, as this is an internal process change

The hierarchy of documents used to verify income for reexaminations will be modified, which will reduce burden on staff and participants.

How can I give feedback?

Join the Resident Advisory Board: Please email Chris Neblett, our Hearing Officer and Admin Coordinator, if interested in joining this board: chrisn@evha.orgNext meeting will be in December or January.

Submit a Comment: Submit comments and/or questions via email at MTW@evha.org or by phone at 425-339-1006.

email tips: creating an account

Many services and EHA programs require an email to sign up and create an account. This also allows you to receive important information and updates regarding these programs and services. The following email providers are free to use and we have included how long the account will stay active if you don’t log on or use it before it automatically gets deleted.

Free Email Providers

EMAIL PROVIDER ACCOUNT NOTES

GMAIL
abc123@gmail.com

Account deleted after 24 months of inactivity. Overall the best choice for a free email account, especially if you're not checking your email daily, weekly, or monthly.

OUTLOOK
abc123@outlook.com
abc123@hotmail.com

Account deleted after 12 months of inactivity. Good choice for casual use, but must login at least once a year.
YAHOO
abc123@yahoo.com
Account deleted after 12 months of inactivity. Good choice for casual use, but must login at least once a year.

ICLOUD
abc123@icloud.com

Account deleted after 12 months of inactivity. Great for Apple (iPhone) users, but must login at least once a year.
MAIL
abc123@mail.com
Account deleted after 6 months of inactivity. Better suited for regular users of e-mail, since you must login in multiple times per year to keep account active.

Username: Think "Professional"

When creating your email username, think about what it will be used for - job applications, reaching out about an apartment, etc. Best practice is to use your first name and last name as one word, your first initial and last name, last name and first initial, or any combination of your name. Use "." or "-" to separate words.

Whatever you decide, make sure it is something you can easily remember as most email providers require you to login at least once every 6-12 months.

Come back next month for more email tips!

FCC: AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was created by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to help connect families and household struggling to afford internet service. HUD-assisted families automatically qualify for ACP and the subsidy is not considered income for the purpose of determining program eligibility or household rent.

The benefit provides:

  • Up to $30/month discount for internet service
  • Up to $75/month discount for household on qualifying Tribal lands
  • A one-time discount o f up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider

HOW TO ENROLL:

  • Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit an application or print a mail-in application
  • Contact your preferred participating provider to select an eligible plan and have the discount applied to your bill. Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.

Eligible household must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

national disability employment awareness month: ticket to work program

Social Security's Ticket to Work Program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries ages 18 through 64 who want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. The Ticket Program helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits because of a disability and are ages 18 through 64 probably already qualify for the program.

Interested in getting started? Meet Ben! Ben will guide you through the Social Security's Ticket to Work Program and give you more information about their free employment support services.

city of everett & ymca partnership: swim lessons

The Everett Parks Department will be allocating previously donated scholarship funds for income-eligible Everett residents towards swim lessons at the Everett YMCA beginning this October. The new partnership will provide a discount on the non-member rate. 30-minute group lessons will be $48 off and 45-minute group lessons will be $72 off. If eligible residents prefer private lessons, they will receive $18 off a single lesson or $72 off a four-lesson package. Income eligible individuals and families will also benefit from the YMCA’s “Access For All” program, which offers up to an additional 35% off (depending on household income level).

Currently, all Everett residents have the opportunity to use the Everett YMCA pool for open swim at a reduced rate. This new partnership will provide more pool access to Everett residents while providing opportunities for both youth and adults to learn how to swim. The Everett YMCA currently offers non-members the opportunity to sign up for swim lessons but at a non-member rate.

The next two sessions for swim lessons are as follows:

  • Session 11 Nov. 1-23 registration opens for community on Oct. 15
  • Session 12 Nov. 28–Dec. 15 registration opens for community Nov. 12
list of Snohomish County Pumpkin Patches

Most of these farms require advance ticket purchases, especially for the weekends. Please click their name to visit their website.

The Farm at Swan's Trail | 7301 Rivershore Rd., Snohomish | Oct. 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Hay Ride, Petting Farm, Food & Beverage, Kids Activities

Stocker Farm/Stalker Farm | 8705 Marsh Rd. Snohomish | Oct. 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Haunted House, Food & Bevereage, Kids Activities

Bob's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch | 10917 Elliott Rd., Snohomish | Oct. 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Hay Ride, Food & Beverage, Kids Activities

Craven Farm | 13817 Shorts School Rd., Snohomish | Oct. 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Hay Ride, Petting Farm, Food and Beverage, Kids Activities

Bailey Vegetable Farm | 12711 Springhetti Rd., Snohomish | Oct. 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Hay Ride, Food & Beverage, Kids Activities

Thomas Family Farm | 9010 Marsh Rd., Snohomish | Oct. 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Hay Ride, Food and Beverage, Kids Activities

Carleton Farms | 630 Sunnyside Blvd. SE, Lake Stevens | Oct. 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Hay Ride, Haunted House, Petting Farm, Food & Beverage, Kids Activities

Novelty Hill Farm | 26617 Northeast 124th St., Duvall | Fridays-Sundays | Oct 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Petting Farm, Food & Beverage, Kids Activities

Fairbank Farm | 15308 52nd Ave W, Edmonds | Weekends | Oct. 1-31
Pumpkin Patch, Petting Farm, Kids Activities

Nile Nightmares Haunted House | 6601 244th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace | Fridays-Sundays | Oct. 1-31
Haunted House, Food & Beverage

More information on this list of pumpkin patches and haunted houses can be found here.

OCTOBER EVENTS

WSU Repair Café

Saturday, October 1 | Willis D. Tucker Community Park | 10AM-2PM | FREE
For more information, click here.

Sustainable Community Steward Volunteers are offering their next Repair Café!

Accepted items include: Clocks, jewelry, vacuums, small appliances, home décor, lamps, and some electronics. Limited textile, leather and clothing repairs are available as well. If you can carry it, we’ll try to repair it! If you do bring large items to repair we will be providing a few wagons to help move items from the parking lot to the amphitheater. There is a cement path part way to the amphitheater and the rest of the walk is across a grass lawn.

Everett Farmers Market

Sundays (ends October 30) | 2930 Wetmore Ave. Everett | 10:30AM for Seniors & High Risk Customers | Hours: 11AM-3PM

Diversity Everett Job Fair

Friday, October 7 | Online | 11AM-2PM | FREE
To register, click here.

This is a free virtual job fair in Everett, WA on Oct 7, 2022 including hiring managers from local and national organizations on the hunt for top talent like you. As a job seeker, all you have to do is sign up, show up, chat with key decision makers, and get hired.

Everett Art Walk

Thursday, October 20 | Downtown Everett | 5PM-9PM | FREE

Everett’s monthly showcase for artists, in the downtown core in the City of Everett, WA. on the 3rd Thursday of the month.

Puget Sound Festival of Bands

Saturday, October 22 | Everett Memorial Stadium | 9AM-9PM | $40 Family Pack (2 adult, 3 youth)

Come support your local high school at the 29th Annual Puget Sound Festival of Bands! It is also a fund raiser for the Cascade High School Band, Percussion, and Color Guard programs. Over 21 high school marching band programs from all over the state of Washington and one band from Oregon are signed up to perform in Puget Sound’s largest marching band competition.