VIHA

The Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA) serves a population of 4 plus low-income residents, who live both in public housing and Section 8 units.

On August 2, 23, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assumed responsibility for the administrative operations of the Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA) due to the agency's substantial default of its Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) signed with HUD. A HUD Receivership Team was assigned to accomplish this task.

The Authority was faced with a significant dilemma and was put on notice by Mr. Michael Liu, (Former) Public and Indian Housing Program Assistant Secretary of HUD. One of several findings was the significantly high level of vacancies and the need to stop the financial drain and loss of income. To correct this problem several plans were put into effect. However, the HUD Receivership Team realized that the need to sustain improved vacancy efforts would be through the development of a strategic Marketing Plan.

As a result of HUD's administrative control, intended to turn the agency around and improve its operational performance and efficiency, HUD Receiver, Donna Ayala, instituted a VIHA Recovery Plan. The Plan's primary goal was to focus on implementation of a Vacancy Reduction Program.

The original goal was to reduce the number of vacant units by 3 by August 24. The agency has successfully met this goal and has exceeded HUD expectations. The agency has currently embarked on a new goal to reduce the number of vacant units by 5 with a targeted completion date of December 31, 24.

In December 24, we celebrated the achievements of two major milestones: the rehabilitation of 349 vacant units and the successful completion and timely submittal to HUD, the Agency's 5-Year and Annual Plans. We started with 822 vacant units and we raised the bar. With 349 units already rehabilitated, we embarked upon our next planned goal to have 5 units repaired by the end of December 31st, 24, the end of our fiscal year. Our goal is ambitious, but it reflects the urgency of our mission and the importance of reinforcing our Agency's priorities.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is obligated to provide municipal services to public housing communities pursuant to the 1956 Cooperative Agreement, as amended, to incude but not limited to educational facilities, police and fire protection, garbage collection/disposal, maintenance of street lights, roads and provide water.

	Agency Name	City	State	Section 8 Voucher	Housing Units	Status	Distance
	Municipality of Vieques	Vieques	PR	N/A	N/A	Open	35.38 Miles	Contact
	Municipality of Fajardo	Fajardo	PR	N/A	N/A	Open	45.28 Miles	Contact
	Municipality of Ceiba	Ceiba	PR	N/A	N/A	Open	45.61 Miles	Contact
	Municipality of Luquillo	Luquillo	PR	N/A	N/A	Open	49.51 Miles	Contact
	Municipality of Naguabo	Naguabo	PR	N/A	N/A	Open	51.17 Miles	Contact