Technology Solutions

• Developing Online Training for the Office of Native American Programs
• Administering Online Technical Assistance for the Home Investment Partnerships Program
• Designing and Managing the Welfare to Work Housing Voucher Program Web Site

Challenge Solution Benefit

Challenge
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) is charged with helping staff of tribal housing agencies design and implement effective housing and community development programs. ONAP must meet the needs of a far-reaching constituency, some of whom have limited budgets for travel. In order to extend technical assistance services to tribes throughout the country and expand the reach of their existing classroom programs, ONAP decided to create Web-based training products. Our classroom-based curriculum and expertise in online technology was a natural starting place for this project.

Solution
ICF International designed, developed, and programmed a series of Web-based training products for tribal housing professionals. This online training includes courses in construction management, housing finance, financial management, homeownership, procurement, and property management. The training is available through ONAP's Web site and provides Tribes and others interested in Indian housing easy access to this interactive and self-paced training.

Benefit

• The online component has become an important element of the ONAP training portfolio.
• ONAP was able to achieve their program information sharing goals without the ongoing cost of in-person training deliveries.
• ONAP's clients are also able to complete training at their own pace.
• ONAP requested that we create three new training products given the high demand of initial modules. These training products cover Eligible Housing Activities under the NAHASDA statute, Environmental Review, and the Section 184 Loan Program.

Challenge Solution Benefit

Challenge
HUD's Office of Affordable Housing Programs provides technical assistance and training to its professionals working for nonprofits and state and local governments. Because of high staff turnover, the demand for training and assistance often exceeds the available capacity in classroom training sessions. Further, seasoned professionals often find that they need access to infrequently used and highly technical information such as income eligibility calculation guidelines or relocation rules at a moments notice. In order to meet the needs of newly hired staff and the just-in-time information demands of experienced staff, the Office of Affordable Housing Programs looked to ICF International for a technical solution.

Solution
ICF International worked with HUD staff to identify the most critical training needs of housing professionals. We then created, designed, programmed, and launched six Web-based training products. These relatively low-cost Web-based products serve as self-instruction tools for learning the HOME program and other cross-cutting program and administrative issues relevant to HUD grantees. The Web modules incorporate instructional screens, comprehensive review questions, and immediate user feedback in an interactive, self-paced, user-friendly format. The training focuses on the specific knowledge, behaviors, and skills participants will use on the job.

Benefit

• HUD is able to extend training to more people.
• HUD can offer access to information when and where it is needed in a more cost-effective manner.
• HUD now has a Web-based component to supplement the Office's classroom training programs (these programs explore more sophisticated topics that demand more student interaction and discussion).

Challenge Solution Benefit

Challenge
The Welfare to Work (WtW) housing voucher program targets families who need housing assistance in order to make the transition from welfare to work. Recently, 120 Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) were granted housing vouchers to help current or former Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients achieve these goals. Many PHAs face tight housing markets, limited staffing, and other constraints that make implementation of this program challenging. Housing authorities are also required to partner with other agencies to ensure that housing voucher assistance is combined with the services families need for a successful transition from welfare to work. With these challenges, PHAs needed help implementing the program and meeting their leasing goals.

Solution
To assist in this process, ICF International designed and manages the program's national Web site. This Web site provides a one-stop-shop for technical assistance, frequently asked questions, topic-specific program resources, best practices, HUD policy updates, monthly PHA leasing reports, and contact information for HUD, Housing Authorities, Program Partners, and other program staff. To keep information timely and relevant, we stay on the cutting edge of WtW issues and post new information weekly.

Benefit

• HUD has a venue for rapidly disseminating critical information to PHAs.
• PHAs routinely receive information, policy updates, and resources that are vital to their program.
• PHAs receive monthly updates on the status of the WtW Voucher Program, including rates of voucher issuance and lease up.