Housing Block Grant Activity in Seattle:
A Case Study
CED-82-60: Published: Mar 30, 1982. Publicly Released: Mar 30, 1982.
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GAO examined the local housing activities under the Community Development Block Grant Program in Seattle, Washington, to assist Congress which is currently considering various alternatives for dispensing federal housing subsidies.
Seattle has used Community Development Block Grant funds to provide minor assistance for a number of housing units. Elderly homeowners with low to moderate income were the primary beneficiaries. Private rental units and renters were less affected by the funds. Seattle has spent $17.1 million of the total block grant funds it received for housing related purposes. Of this amount, 32 percent has been spent on owner-occupied housing units and 21 percent on privately and publicly owned rental housing. The remaining 47 percent was spent on administrative costs, for housing counseling and workshops in home repairs, and for miscellaneous housing activities. The administrative expenses reflect the need for careful management because of the complexity of the block grant housing programs. The funding was used to provide more direct assistance to beneficiaries of other city housing programs. Funds have been expended principally through low-interest loans, deferred loans, and grants. Seattle has rehabilitated 896 owner-occupied, single-family housing units and made minor repairs to 6,560 units, acquired land for low-rent public housing units, and rehabilitated 410 privately owned rental units. The city's most unique program is designed to rehabilitate single-room occupancy units for low-income families. City officials are concerned about the flexibility of the housing block grant program and the funding levels it would provide. One official has suggested combining housing vouchers with a housing block grant.
Dec 16, 2020
Lead Paint in Housing:
HUD Has Not Identified High-Risk Project-Based Rental Assistance PropertiesGAO-21-55: Published: Dec 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2020.
Dec 15, 2020
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Disaster Housing:
Improved Cost Data and Guidance Would Aid FEMA Activation DecisionsGAO-21-116: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Dec 8, 2020
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Troubled Asset Relief Program:
Treasury Continues Winding Down Housing ProgramsGAO-21-39: Published: Dec 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 8, 2020.
Aug 13, 2020
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Homelessness:
Better HUD Oversight of Data Collection Could Improve Estimates of Homeless PopulationGAO-20-433: Published: Jul 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 13, 2020.
Jul 29, 2020
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Crumbling Foundations:
Extent of Homes with Defective Concrete Is Not Fully Known and Federal Options to Aid Homeowners Are LimitedGAO-20-649: Published: Jul 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2020.
Jul 27, 2020
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Housing:
Preliminary Analysis of Homeownership Trends for Nine CitiesGAO-20-544R: Published: Jun 25, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 27, 2020.
Jun 26, 2020
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Rental Housing:
As More Households Rent, the Poorest Face Affordability and Housing Quality ChallengesGAO-20-427: Published: May 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 26, 2020.
Apr 30, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentGAO-20-500PR: Published: Apr 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 2020.
Mar 17, 2020
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Working Capital Fund:
HUD Could Improve Management to Better Achieve Efficiencies and Help Ensure Customer SatisfactionGAO-20-263: Published: Mar 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 17, 2020.
Mar 3, 2020
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Military Housing:
Preliminary Recommendations to Strengthen DOD's Oversight and Monitoring of Privatized HousingGAO-20-471T: Published: Mar 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 3, 2020.
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