Blagoevgrad housing allowances : report on administrative and implementation issues

The two principal objectives of the program are to target subsidies to the needy and to encourage the private rental sector to expand. These social and economic objectives will be met by increasing rents on the municipal stock and by introducing a housing allowance program that will protect low-income tenants in both the public and the private rental sector. The allowance program will associate subsidies with households instead of housing units, so that tenants will be free to look for housing in the private rental sector. Private landlords will also become more interested in renting when they know that allowance recipients will be guaranteed rental support on a regular basis. The higher rents will fully fund the allowance program, and will provide additional revenue that can be used to improve management of the municipal rental stock, which is currently in bad physical condition. While low-income tenants will be protected, those who are able will begin to cover the costs of housing. This report highlights all implementation issues of the proposed program, and identifies many tasks to be completed in order to begin an allowance program. A Work Plan is attached which details each action item, and suggests municipal staff that might be appropriate for each task. At least three new staff positions will have to be created before the program can be put into effect. (Author abstract)