Public Notice of 45-Day Public Review and Comment Period

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Public Notice of 45-Day Public Review and Comment Period
FY 2026-2027 Plans

The Robeson County Housing Authority (RCHA) hereby provides notice that its Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement, Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan, and Capital Fund Program (CFP) Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 are available for public review and comment.

These plans describe RCHA's policies, programs, housing development activities, and use of federal funds to support affordable housing, resident services, and long-term property preservation in Robeson County.

Public Review Period

The 45-day public review and comment period begins January 15, 2026, and ends March 1, 2026.

Copies of the plans are available for review:

• At the RCHA administrative office, 100 Oxendine Circle, Lumberton, NC 28360
• On the RCHA website, RobesonHA.org
• By request during normal business hours, 910-738-4866

Written comments may be submitted to RCHA during the review period.

Public Hearing

A public hearing will be held on:

Monday, March 2, 2026
12:00 noon
Robeson County Housing Authority
100 Oxendine Circle, Lumberton, NC 28360

The public is invited to attend and provide comments on the proposed FY 2026-2027 MTW Supplement, PHA Plan, and Capital Fund Program Plan.

Purpose of the Plans

These plans outline how RCHA will:

• Administer Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs
• Use MTW flexibilities to improve cost efficiency and self-sufficiency
• Preserve and develop affordable housing
• Invest Capital Funds into property rehabilitation and modernization

All residents, community members, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the public review and hearing process.

Robeson County Housing Authority Plans, Public Housing Authority, Moving to Work and Capital Funds

2024-2025

Presented by: 

Niakeya J Cooper, MS, Executive Director/CEO

• 910.738.4866
• Njcooper@robesonha.org 
• 100 Oxendine Circle, Lumberton, NC 28360

PHA PLAN 2026-2027 

Public Housing PHA Plan - No Significant Amendments

The Robeson County Housing Authority (RCHA) prepares a Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan each year in accordance with HUD regulations. The PHA Plan describes the agency's overall mission, goals, policies, and programs for administering Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher assistance.

For Fiscal Year 2026, RCHA is not proposing any Significant Amendments to its Public Housing PHA Plan as defined by HUD. The agency's fundamental policies regarding:

• Admissions
• Occupancy
• Waiting lists
• Rent determination (outside of MTW-approved flexibilities)
• Grievance procedures
• Lease enforcement
• Resident participation

will remain unchanged.

How this relates to MTW 
As an approved Moving to Work (MTW) agency, RCHA implements certain rent, recertification, and housing development activities through its HUD approved MTW Supplement, not through the standard PHA Plan. The MTW activities being proposed for FY 2026 - including standardized deductions, three-year reexaminations, inspection frequency changes, and housing development activities - are governed by HUD's MTW statutory authority and are presented separately in the MTW Supplement for Public Review.

Because these activities are authorized under MTW and processed through the MTW Supplement, they do not constitute Significant Amendments to the Public Housing PHA Plan.

What This Means For Residents 

Residents will still have the opportunity to review and comment on:

• The MTW Supplement
• Any proposed MTW changes

However, no separate Significant Amendment hearing is required for the regular PHA Plan because RCHA is not changing its core Public Housing policies outside of MTW authority.

Robeson County Housing Authority (RCHA)
Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement - New and Modified Activities for Public Review

RCHA is an approved Moving to Work (MTW) agency. MTW allows housing authorities to implement alternative rent, recertification, and development strategies to improve cost efficiency, support family self-sufficiency, and expand housing options.

For FY 2026, RCHA will continue all previously approved MTW activities. The following items represent new or modified MTW activities for Public Housing and are presented for public review.

1. MTW Activity 1.T-Standard Deductions (Public Housing) 
   Waiver Name: Standard Deductions (PH)
   RCHA will implement a single MTW standardized deduction for all Public Housing households in place of multiple HUD-required, expense-based deductions. 
   
   
   • Key Policy 
     
     • $6,000 annual deduction ($500 per month)
     • Applies to all households, including elderly and disabled
     • Replaces medical, childcare, and disability assistance deductions
     • Rent formula: (gross annual income minus $6,000) divided by 12 multiplied by 30%
     • Hardship policy available
       
       
   • How This Supports MTW Goals 
     • Cost efficiency: Eliminates verification of receipts and complex calculations, reducing errors and staff time.
     • Self-sufficiency: Rent predictability encourages families to increase earnings without fear of sudden rent spikes.
     • Housing stability: Simpler rules reduce disputes and improve compliance.
       
       
2. MTW Activity 3.A - Alternative Re-Examination Schedule (Public Housing) 
   RCHA will continue its MTW-approved three-year reexamination cycle and synchronize all households to a single reexamination month.
   
   • Key Policy
     • One-time full reexamination effective July 1, 2026
     • Next full reexamination July 1, 2029
     • One interim per year for 10% income decrease
     • Interims for household composition changes only
     • Income increases do not trigger reexams
       
       
   • How This Supports MTW Goals
     • Cost efficiency: Reduces the number of recertifications and administrative workload.
     • Self-sufficiency: Allows families to earn more without immediate rent increases.
     • Program integrity: Synchronization reduces missed or late recertifications.
       
       
3. MTW Property Preservation Enhancement - Quarterly Inspections (Non-Waiver MTW Activity)
   RCHA will increase unit inspections from two to four per year.
   
   
   • How This Supports MTW Goals 
     • Cost efficiency: Early identification prevents expensive repairs.
     • Housing quality: Protects resident health and safety.
     • Asset preservation: Extends the useful life of public housing.
       
       
4. MTW ACTIVITY 17.C - Housing Development Programs Waiver Name: Housing Development Programs (Local, Non-Traditional Activities) 
   RCHA will use MTW funds to develop, rehabilitate, and preserve affordable housing.
   
   
   •  Projects:
     • Caton Cove supportive housing (completion August 2026)
     • Westgate Terrace rehabilitation
       
       
   • How This Supports MTW Goals 
     • Housing choice: Adds new supportive housing and preserves existing units.
     • Cost efficiency: Rehabilitation is more cost-effective than replacement.
     • Self-sufficiency: Supportive housing helps residents stabilize and move forward.
       
       
5. MTW ACTIVITY 15 - Acquisition Without Prior HUD Approval (Public Housing) 
   RCHA will acquire a single-family transition home for Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) participants.
   
   • How This Supports MTW Goals
     • Self-sufficiency: Helps families transition toward independent living and homeownership readiness.
     • Housing choice: Creates an option outside of traditional public housing.
     • Cost efficiency: Frees up public housing units for families on the waiting list.
       
       
6. Continuation of Existing MTW Activities
   • All previously approved MTW activities will remain unchanged.

RCHA CFP Plan 2026-2027 Capital Funds

• Capital Funding Year(s): 2024
  • Project: Tree Removal and Landscaping PHA wide
  • Amount: $61,500
    
    
• Capital Funding Year(s): 2024 and 2025
  • Project: Fences Around Playgrounds (PHA Wide)
  • Amount: $25,000
    
    
• Capital Funding Year(s): 2025
  • Project: Entry Signs (Morgan Britt Office and McColl Page Plaza)
  • Amount: $15,000
    
    
• Capital Funding Year(s): 2023 and 2024
  • Project: Paving (Morgan Britt Main Office and Benton Court)
  • Amount: $250,000
    
    
• Capital Funding Year(s): 2023 and 2024
  • Project: Caton Cove (15 New Units for Youth Aging out of Foster Care)
  • Amount: $1,000,000
    
    
• Capital Funding Year(s): 2025 and 2026
  • Project: Westgate Rehab
  • Amount: $1,070,000
    
    
• Capital Funding Year(s): 2025 and 2026
  • Project: Add Additional Cameras PHA Wide
  • Amount: $25,000
    
    
• Capital Funding Year(s): 2025 and 2026
  • Project: Roof and siding on Benton Court
  • Amount: $383,000
    
    
• Total: $2,889,500