Amanda Hower Email and Phone Number

Coordinates the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration and assists the Authority in maintaining compliance with HUD regulations. Manages interdepartmental MTW working groups and consultants for improved coordination and communication in reporting and compliance, updates and improvements to existing MTW initiatives, and development of new initiative proposals. Coordinates the Authority’s MTW Annual Plan and MTW Annual Report, manages departmental contributions, writing and layout, data analysis, and MTW Agreement compliance. Manages, supervises, and guides research projects related to policy and program development, reform, and evaluation. Coordinates the recruitment and hiring of fellows and interns. Supports the COO & other departments in various capacities such as organizing executive meetings and events, preparing policy memos, and conducting data analysis to support policy change proposals. Provides technical assistance to, and collaborates with other housing agencies on projects. Prepares position papers on the impact on HACP of proposed housing legislation as requested, including consultation and collaboration as appropriate. Tracks and monitors legislation and policy information related to the housing industry. Conducts analyses, prepares summaries, and considers the impact of ongoing or proposed Authority, regional or national policies and procedures. Provides a first-tier review of reports, documents, and statistical information. Designs and coordinates interdepartmental projects and reports. Develops presentations for COO, Executive Director, Board of Commissioners, and other stakeholders. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, vendors, consultants, contractors, residents, HUD, and local, state, and federal officials.

Coordinated the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration implementation and assists the Authority in maintaining compliance with HUD regulations. Managed interdepartmental MTW working groups and consultants for improved coordination and communication in reporting and compliance, updates and improvements to existing MTW initiatives, and development of new initiative proposals. Coordinated the Authority’s MTW Annual Plan and MTW Annual Report, managed departmental contributions, writing and layout, data analysis, and MTW Agreement compliance. Supported the COO & other departments in various capacities such as preparing policy memos, and conducting data analysis to support policy change proposals. Provided technical assistance to, and collaborates with other housing agencies on projects. Prepared position papers on the impact on HACP of proposed housing legislation as requested, including consultation and collaboration as appropriate. Tracked and monitored legislation and policy information related to the housing industry. Conducted analyses, prepares summaries, and considered the impact of ongoing or proposed Authority, regional or national policies and procedures. Provided the first-tier review of reports, documents, and statistical information. Designed and coordinated interdepartmental projects and reports. Developed presentations for the COO, Executive Director, Board of Commissioners, and other stakeholders. Established and maintained effective working relationships with co-workers, vendors, consultants, contractors, residents, HUD, and local, state, and federal officials.

Supported systems, policies, procedures, and practices of the Low Income Public Housing (LIPH) and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs. Reviewed tenant files, confirmed that documentation was valid and compliant, verified subsidy calculations, and maintained database and reports. Researched and reported on policy updates and best practice implementation for all programs based on local state, and federal laws, HUD guidelines, and regulations. Trained staff individually and in group settings on policy and procedural changes. Assisted with the design and development of tools and systems to evaluate and measure performance and outcomes. Worked closely with all departments by documenting, reporting and communicating method and process evaluation through detailed summary analysis.

Supported systems, policies, procedures, and practices of the Low Income Public Housing (LIPH) and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs. Reviewed tenant files, confirmed that documentation is valid and compliant, verified subsidy calculations, and maintained database and reports. Researched and reported on policy updates and best practice implementation for all programs based on local state, and federal laws, HUD guidelines, and regulations. Trained staff individually and in group settings on policy and procedural changes. Assisted with the design and development of tools and systems to evaluate and measure performance and outcomes. Worked closely with all departments by documenting, reporting and communicating method and process evaluation through detailed summary analysis.

Served as a primary contact for all client communication with the HCVP department. Verified that all paperwork and processes complied with HACP and HUD regulations. Recommended solutions and troubleshoot problems to ensure quality customer service. Completed all tasks relating to the processing of Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) participant files including Voucher Issuance, Lease-Up, Initial Certification, Annual Certification, Interim Certification, Move-in, Move-Out, and End of Participation. Filed and maintained appropriate participant records and documents. Entered and updated information in the database per HUD and HACP requirements. Submitted monitored and corrected all HUD-50058 errors per HUD regulations and HACP policies. Communicated with applicants, tenants, landlords, owners, and vendors, documented customer inquiries or complaints and, as applicable, resolved issues promptly. Assisted staff members in determining on-the-job working procedures and in resolving problems.

Interviewed applicants referred for housing and/or investigation. Assisted applicants with preparing required information and inquiries regarding applications. Prepared applicant files and entered applications into the system; updated computer and hard copy records. Ordered criminal background and tenant history checks and obtained references from applicants and from other community resources to determine applicant’s eligibility. Verified income, assets, and expenses; computed the applicant's monthly adjusted income per HUD regulations and HACP policies. Determined applicant eligibility for housing; generated letters based on determination for housing.

Developed strategies and related materials for student recruitment and departmental outreach. Collaborated with faculty and staff to assess the needs of the department and how it can improve its outreach efforts. Researched effective approaches, and create written strategies to improve the department's outreach efforts. Created materials identified in the strategies such as brochures, web content, and presentations to aid in the department's outreach efforts.

Assisted in developing the State's 5 Year Consolidated Plan (2010-2014), which will guide the distribution and use of over $42 million annually from HUD for affordable housing and community economic development activities. Researched, compiled statistics and data, analyzed, and identified issues and propose appropriate Department actions relating to the State's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and Citizen Participation Plan. Worked with state and federal agencies, fair housing organizations, affordable housing agencies, consumer groups, and other entities to obtain statistics and information, identify issues and trends, and explain requirements and rationale for proposed actions. Assisted with and participate in meetings related to the 5-Year Consolidated Plan.

Assisted with review of commercial development site plans, proposals for new businesses, and sign permit applications. Processed applications and approved permits. Prepared meeting agendas and minutes. Conducted research on a variety of projects including economic development projects and other miscellaneous planning and zoning related projects. Attended Plan Commission meetings, Community Development Authority meetings, Family Attraction meetings, and Landmarks Commission meetings as staff and assisted these committees on projects.

Researched, compiled data, and reported on ways to improve pedestrian safety in Pittsburgh. Organized and facilitated a public hearing to receive citizen feedback on pedestrian safety. Collaborated with other organizations for their input on pedestrian safety including the City of Pittsburgh Police Department, Bike Pittsburgh, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, and other stakeholders. Researched best practices from other states and cities around the nation and incorporated the findings into the pedestrian safety plan.