The public housing operating fund (PH opfund) provides operating subsidies to housing authorities (has) to assist in funding the operating and maintenance expenses of their dwellings, in accordance…

The Department of Housing and Urban Development Public and Indian Housing Office awarded $648,925 to Pittsfield Housing Authority on January 1, 2026, under the Public Housing Operating Fund (CFDA 14.850) to support day-to-day operational and maintenance expenses for its public housing portfolio through December 31, 2032.

The award funds management and operations, routine and preventative maintenance, anti-crime and security activities, energy costs, resident supportive services, insurance, debt service, and administrative program implementation costs at Pittsfield Housing Authority's portfolio in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The authority uses operating fund subsidies to maintain services and preserve minimum operating reserves across its housing stock, which serves approximately 1,590 low-income residents, including 44 percent elderly residents and 35 percent residents in families with children.

The Public Housing Operating Fund is a formula grant program designed to assist housing authorities in funding operating and maintenance expenses for their dwellings in accordance with Section 9 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as amended. Allocations are calculated by HUD using established formulas based on inventory characteristics such as unit counts, building age, and construction costs, rather than through competitive selection. All expenditures comply with 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements and remain restricted to eligible activities under 24 CFR Part 905.

Activities

Operating funds are used to fund day-to-day operational expenses associated with public housing as well as the administrative and program implementation expenses that public housing agencies (phas) are required to undertake under the 1937 housing act and program regulations. Such activities include management and operations, routine and preventative maintenance, anti-crime, anti-drug and security activities, operating costs for privately owned public housing units within mixed-finance projects, energy costs, resident supportive services, insurance, debt service and costs associated with administration and program implementation. Turnkey III projects are funded for units under the final lease purchase agreement for closing out the program. To support these activities, there is continued modernization of the information technology platforms. Phas have access to web-based platforms that utilize real-time data to provide insight into their portfolios. Phas can obtain metrics on their funding levels, occupancy rates, and the number of families served through rental assistance.

Expected outcomes

As a result of the activities performed, this program is expected to assist in funding the operating and maintenance expenses. This may include increased occupancy in public housing, decreased energy costs through regular maintenance and energy performance contracting and leverage federal resources. In addition to addressing the department's strategic goals of: • addressing the need for quality affordable rental homes by maintaining or improving upon the 96% occupancy rate of habitable units; • promoting housing as a platform to improve quality of life through supportive services, crime prevention efforts and resident engagement activities; and • helping to build inclusive communities free from discrimination by facilitating the implementation of affirmatively furthering fair housing measures.

Intended beneficiaries

The operating fund provides for the operation and maintenance of low-income housing projects to phas/projects. IT was created to assist housing authorities in providing decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families or individuals, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. A HA determines eligibility based on 1) annual gross income; 2) a person on who is elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and 3) U.S. Citizenship or eligible immigration status.

Subrecipient activities

The subrecipient activities are unknown at the time of award.