Becca Morris’ Journey from Subsidized Housing to Homeownership

Innovative Housing Program Offers Hope and Challenges for Residents

On a journey that began with instability, Becca Morris is now on the brink of home ownership in Harrington, Delaware. Her story is one of perseverance, bolstered by a unique housing subsidy program that emphasizes savings and self-sufficiency.

Years ago, Morris applied for federal housing assistance amid personal upheaval. As a young mother, she juggled instability and uncertainty, yet welcomed the condition that the subsidy would last no more than seven years. “I feel like this was … good pressure,” she reflects, a catalyst that encouraged her to return to school and improve her circumstances.

The subsidy allowed Morris and her son to reside in a modest two-bedroom home in Bridgeville, Delaware. Despite the coziness, space was limited, prompting her desire for a larger home. The seven-year deadline has since passed, partly due to COVID-19, but the program offered more than just a countdown.

The Delaware State Housing Authority, one of the few agencies with the ability to impose work requirements and time limits on housing subsidies, plays a crucial role. Yet, the Department of Housing and Urban Development aims to broaden this authority, as indicated by an internal document seen by NPR. An agency spokesperson mentioned that President Trump’s budget proposal featured a two-year time limit to promote self-sufficiency.

Critics argue there’s little evidence that such limits enhance employment or reduce dependency on subsidies. Concerns arise that many might suffer as rent prices continue to soar.

Beyond Time Limits: A Holistic Approach

Morris’ experience with the Delaware program highlighted the importance of work requirements and consistent financial monitoring. Unlike typical housing subsidies that adjust rent with income changes, Delaware’s program maintains stable payments, allowing participants to save. The savings are collected in an interest-bearing account, accessible upon leaving the program.

“I would have been literally paycheck to paycheck this entire time,” Morris noted, emphasizing the program’s role in facilitating her financial growth. The program’s structure enabled her to save without working excessive hours.

A two-tiered time limit permits participants to save fully if they exit within five years. However, those needing more time face a penalty. Morris utilized this additional period but remains financially content. “I was able to save more staying here with the lower rent,” she explains.

Morris’ journey was eased by flexibility in deadlines, with extensions granted due to her wrist injury and the pandemic. She also benefited from reduced rent while completing her nursing degree.

After nine years, Morris and her son prepare to transition from their current home. “Yes, the stars align to the grace of God,” she remarks. “Everything worked out perfectly.”

Time Limits: A Double-Edged Sword

A significant concern for housing assistance is the limited availability, with only a quarter of eligible individuals receiving aid. This scarcity drives the advocacy for time limits, aiming to facilitate housing turnover and accessibility.

“Once you get a housing subsidy, it’s for life. So as a result of that, there are extremely long waiting lists,” comments Howard Husock from the American Enterprise Institute. His perspective emphasizes the need for turnover to aid those still in need.

However, not all experiences with time limits are positive. Tacoma Housing Authority in Washington state implemented a five-year limit in 2013 but reversed the decision in 2022. Rising rents hindered residents’ ability to save, prompting the authority to prioritize housing over time constraints.

Tacoma’s analysis revealed that those with unrestricted vouchers better increased their incomes, leading to the end of time limits.

Support Systems: The True Catalyst