What is the Resident Advisory Board (RAB)? 

The overall purpose of the Resident Advisory Board RAB is to assist the Housing Opportunities Commission in carrying out its responsibilities by bringing the resident’s voice to deliberations and decisions. 

The Resident Advisory Board (“RAB”) of the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (“HOC” or “Commission”) assists the Commission with the execution of its responsibilities as the Public Housing Authority, by providing the residents with a forum for sharing information and making recommendations on the Public Housing Administrative Plan and other matters that affect the wellbeing of the HOC’s residents. The RAB was founded February 18, 1985 and has developed a set of by-laws which govern its internal operations.

 

 BYLAWS

The Board

The RAB is a jurisdiction-wide resident organization that consists of nine (9) seats, which are allocated as follows: 

  • Three (3) seats known as the Tenant Based Voucher (“TBV”) Program Seats, which are designated for residents participating in the federal tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher Program (the “TBV Program”); 
  • One (1) seat known as the Supportive Housing Program Seat, which is designated for residents participating in a federally funded permanent supportive housing program (the “SH Program”); 
  • One (1)  seat known as the PBV Program Seat, which is designated for residents participating in the federal project-based Housing Choice Voucher Program (the “PBV Program”); 
  • One (1) seat known as the LIHTC Program Seat, which is designated for a resident participating in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (the “LIHTC Program”); and
  • Three (3) seats known as the PBRA Program Seats, which are designated for residents participating in the federal Project Based Rental Assistance Program (the “PBRA Program”).   

3 Seats: Tenant Based Voucher

1 Seat: Supportive Housing Program

1 Seat: Project Based Voucher

1 Seat: Low Income Housing Tax Credit

3 Seats: Project Based Rental Assistance

 

  • Contact Us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
  • RAB Roles & Responsibilities/Meetings Programs & Activities
 

Programs & Activities

 

During the course of a year, the RAB participates in many important functions related to HOC operations including the following: 

  • Review properties under consideration for purchase.
  • Review and makes recommendations on the HOC operating budget with particular focus on the Public Housing Operating budget.
  • Reviews and makes recommendations related to HOC practices and procedures such as rent collection procedures, resident grievances, eviction procedures, etc.
  • Monitors grant progress and activities such as the Drug Elimination Grant Program, Comprehensive Grant Program, the Service Coordinators Grant Program for elderly and disabled residents, the Resident Opportunities and Supportive Services (ROSS) grant programs, the Welfare to Work Program (WTW), the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program and the Community Service Requirement Program implementation. 
  • Reviews HUD policies and assists HOC in implementing policies or changing existing practices in order to meet HUD regulations.
  • Meet annually with staff of Property management to offer suggestions on improvements to maintenance efforts.

  

The RAB has been actively working to bring your concerns, ideas and recommendations for change and improvement to HOC for action. We are your voice. The RAB membership includes representatives from segments of HOC housing including Tenant Based Vouchers,  Supportive Housing Program,Project Base Vouchers,  Low Income Housing Tax Credit participants, and Project Based Rental Assistance participants.

Among our recent accomplishments: 

    • Provided input on HUD required documents including the Five-year and Annual Plan.
    • Provided input on revisions to HOC's Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan.
    • A RAB member serve on the Housing Opportunities Community Partners (HOCP) Hearing Board to provide objectivity and sensitivity to resident cases. 

    • Conducts a joint work session with the Commissioners to discuss a variety of pressing issues of importance to residents.

With your input and opinions we can do even more to ensure that resident concerns are heard and that issues are resolved. Call 240-627-9400 for further information or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We look forward to hearing from you.