Flagstaff to Manage Williams’ Vouchers as Short-Term Rentals Rise

Shift in Rental Assistance: Williams Transfers Vouchers to Flagstaff Amid Housing Challenges

The city of Williams is undertaking a strategic move to address its rental assistance challenges by transferring Section 8 vouchers to neighboring Flagstaff. This decision comes as more landlords in Williams convert properties into short-term rentals, reducing the availability of homes accepting these vouchers.

Section 8 vouchers provide crucial support for low-income residents by subsidizing their rent. However, with dwindling acceptance among landlords, Williams risks losing its rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Mayor Don Dent reveals that currently, only 17 out of 50 available vouchers are being utilized, and the program has faced operational challenges since 2023.

“We are running it now on a Band-Aid approach,” Dent notes. “When you use less than 50% of your vouchers with HUD, you’re what’s called a failing agency. They think you’re not doing your job. So, we’ve been classified as a failing agency for three years.”

Flagstaff has proposed to manage the voucher program for both cities, effectively saving this valuable resource for the region. Sarah Darr, Flagstaff’s Housing Director, emphasizes the importance of preserving these vouchers: “HUD had indicated it was possible that these vouchers could be lost to our region as a resource, so that became very important to us, to preserve as many housing resources, not only for the city of Williams but also to serve our community here in Flagstaff.”

This move could increase Flagstaff’s voucher administration by nearly 10%, a rare opportunity given the scarcity of such resources. “I was very excited to work on this project. Allocations of Section 8 vouchers that are not dedicated to a specific population are fairly hard to come by. Our last increase, probably in the last 15 years, was an increase of nine vouchers. So, having access to an additional 50 is a great resource,” Darr explains. “That’s an additional 50 households that will have access to housing resources as these vouchers turn over.”

The transition awaits HUD’s approval, anticipated in June, following endorsements from both Williams and Flagstaff city councils. Under the new arrangement, current voucher holders in Williams will retain their assistance, with Flagstaff staff managing the program locally.

Darr assures, “For existing voucher holders in the city of Williams, it is our intent to make this change as seamless as possible. The main change will be the staff that they work with.” Meanwhile, unused vouchers could significantly reduce the wait time for nearly 900 households on Flagstaff’s waiting list.