Important Change to Tenant Rent Portion

Home Forward has a $31 million budget deficit, which is about 10% of the agency’s total budget. To address this, we must make hard choices to lower our costs. Our goal is to continue providing services to as many households as possible while keeping Home Forward financially strong for the future.

As part of this effort, Home Forward is making a change that will increase the amount some tenants pay toward their portion of rent. This increase will reduce the deficit by approximately $6 million. This is one of several steps we are taking to lower costs and address the budget deficit. We know that paying more toward rent will be difficult for many households and want to provide clear information about this change.

New Columbia

Budget Focused Tenant Engagement

Home Forward held information sessions with tenants to explain the $31 million budget deficit, share the cost-saving options we considered, and discuss the increase in some tenants’ rent portions.

These sessions include 8/26 (a.m. session and p.m. session), 9/1, 9/2 (a.m. session and p.m. session), 9/3, and 9/8.

During these sessions tenants asked questions, provided feedback, and shared ideas for how Home Forward could reduce costs. All of the feedback and ideas we received are being considered as we continue the budget process.

What Tenants Need to Know Now

This change will apply to most, but not all, tenants in our federally subsidized housing programs. If this change applies to your household:

Your portion of rent is calculated as a percentage of your income. Home Forward will increase the amount of your income used to determine your portion of rent by no more than 3%
The increase will take effect no sooner than February 1, 2027
Home Forward will send you a notice 90 days before your increase takes effect
Your notice will tell you:

Learn more

We know you may have questions about this change. Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.

Questions?

Home Forward will not be able to give tenants the new amount of their rent portion until the 90-day notices are issued. If you have general questions about the budget deficit, the budget process, or if the the tenant rent portion increase applies to you, you can email: budget@homeforward.org.