https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Commentaries


Commentary

Why public housing authorities need technology for costs and customer service

Why public housing authorities need technology for costs and customer service

Knoxville's Community Development Corporation IT & Procurement Director Terry McKee explains the areas in which public housing authorities can most benefit from employing technology in their operations.
  • Written by American City & County Administrator
  • 3rd August 2016

By Terry McKee

Federal funding for public housing authorities (PHAs) has been declining while operating costs, demands for units and capital needs continue to accelerate. There is not widespread support for improving funding, nor is there really money available even if the political will to increase funding was present. Most PHAs will likely continue to struggle financially for the foreseeable future. 

PHAs, like most governments and businesses, have a predictable routine when facing budget shortfalls. Travel, training and overtime are cut. After that, entities look at trimming expenses (often across the board cuts). Finally, PHAs look to cut employee positions. These may prudent steps to take, but technology options may provide some cost relief while improving customer service.  Some technological cost saving and improved delivery ideas already implemented by PHAs and others include the following: 
 

Administrative 
PHA management is complex because it involves complying with numerous federal, state and local requirements. Technology can help reduce this burden in many ways including “Management Dashboards” showing real time data whenever management needs it.   Dashboards are configured to supply the information pertinent to each employee.  Other ideas include:

Automating the employment application process, leave requests/tracking functions, W2 production and ACA document production.  Establish direct deposit of pay checks and other employee reimbursements. Implement emailing of general correspondence instead of using USPS.  Replace traditional landline phone systems with internet based VoIP systems. Replace landlines with cell phones instead of having both types of phones. Replace personal printers with multi-function copiers. Automate as many HUD and state reports as possible.  Use Electronic Document Management Systems to avoid paper, printing and storage costs.
 

Vendors
PHAs spend considerable time and resources interacting with vendors. Automate these interactions as much as possible by using email to communicate with vendors. Use email to automate the purchase order process. Implement ACH payments in place of checks and use P-cards for payments. Create vendor portals where vendors track their payments. Create Section 8 landlord portals to track availability and payments. Establish webpages to communicate information, purchasing needs, vendor registration, et cetera.
 

Residents
PHAs exist to serve their residents and spend considerable time and effort to do so. Technology can make this work more efficient. Create resident portals that allow residents to apply for housing, check for account information, make online payments, submit work order requests, make inquiries to management, et cetera. Webpages also assist PHAs by providing information about the properties and procedures for applying for housing. PHAs also use Integrated Voice Response (IVR) systems to allow residents telephonic access to account and other relevant information. 

PHA leadership should constantly look for opportunities to better use technology, research technology options and decide which work best for their entity. PHA staff members can also supply cost saving ideas, and PHAs may choose to hire technology consultants to assess their needs and opportunities.

All technological improvements take time and effort that may seem daunting. However once implemented, the effort pays off by freeing up staff time for work on other value added tasks as we serve the needs of our clients. This is what we should be about – finding ways to better serve our residents. Technology cannot cure everything for PHAs, but it can help reduce costs and improve service delivery. So let’s use technology to improve our operations.

 

Terry McKee is the IT & procurement director for Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation in Tennessee. He has 28 years of public service experience including K12, county and NIGP’s Procurement Consulting team.  Terry can be reached at tmckee@kcdc.org.

Tags: Administration Commentaries Commentary

Related


  • Biden’s relief plan includes $350 billion for local and state government
    President-Elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion relief plan Thursday to combat the COVID-19 crisis and the economic downturn it has caused. In addition to $400 million to combat the pandemic specifically, the proposal includes $350 billion for state, local and tribal governments that would help them to bridge budget shortfalls, help public works maintain […]
  • How Philadelphia is aiming for zero waste
    The city of Philadelphia has long collected data on city properties’ waste generation and leveraged it to improve waste management, but now it’s honing in on the commercial sector too, realizing this will be crucial to hitting Philly’s zero waste targets. Today it runs a voluntary program where both municipal and commercial operations do detailed […]
  • How the City of Fullerton navigated adding candidates to ballots remotely
    This time last year, we were all looking forward to 2020: the start of a new decade and big elections (federally and locally) were just a few of the things we were excited about as we closed out the year. Little did we know, the beginning of the end of “normal” would happen two month […]
  • Report: Many governments facing revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19
    A new survey of local governments reveals that 68 percent of responding governments see moderate, significant or major financial adjustments as being needed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The State of Local Government Survey, released by cloud ERP software provider OpenGov in December, reveals the gaps that 501 local governments have found across their […]

Related Content

  • Colorado county’s value-based health care strategy produces savings
  • BhamStrong delivers long-term solutions in uncertain times
  • Promoting municipal employees’ volunteer efforts
  • Colorado county refuses to enforce state orders as COVID-19 level increases

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

The latest episode The Young Leaders Podcast focuses on Cyril Jefferson. Cyril is the youngest African American to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Hillsboro, Oregon is pioneering a new #renewableenergy generation technology through a partnership with… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

The impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on #telework was swift and profound. Now, the big question is whether – and to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Get ready for the can't-miss webinar on how to kickstart your efficiency improvement plan with Luke Anderson of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Among all states headed into the 2020 general election, which ones have voting populations that are the most demogr… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in our readership survey to help us shape future content so that we c… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

See how cities different approaches to distribute masks in their communities >> spr.ly/6010GAPLa

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

While #facialrecognition is a powerful tool that can improve law enforcement efficiency, that doesn’t necessarily t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X