🏛️ What’s the Difference Between a PHA and RAD?

Understanding LHA’s New Role in Housing Administration

Lexington Housing Authority (LHA) has fully transitioned to a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) model under HUD. This page explains what that means for residents, property owners, and our community partners.

 

🏢 What Is a Public Housing Authority (PHA)?

Under the traditional Public Housing Authority (PHA) model:

  • LHA owned and managed all public housing properties directly.
  • Staff handled everything on-site:
    • Rent collection
    • Unit repairs and maintenance
    • Lease enforcement
    • Tenant eligibility, complaints, and annual recertifications
  • LHA functioned as a landlord and program administrator in one

This “one-stop shop” structure made sense when the agency managed fewer compliance demands—but over time, this model became financially and operationally unsustainable under modern HUD guidelines.

 

🔁 What Is RAD?

RAD stands for Rental Assistance Demonstration—a HUD initiative that restructures how public housing is financed and managed across the country. Lexington Housing Authority fully transitioned to RAD on January 1, 2015

Under the RAD model:

  • LHA no longer owns public housing units
  • Private property management companies now handle day-to-day property responsibilities
  • LHA now focuses exclusively on:
    • Verifying household eligibility
    • Issuing and managing housing vouchers
    • Ensuring compliance with HUD rules
    • Monitoring fair housing practices

RAD allows LHA to operate more efficiently and stay focused on compliance and service—not property management.

 

📋 What Changed?

Here’s a side-by-side look at who now handles what under the RAD model:

Function Responsible Party
Rent Collection Property Management ✅
Maintenance & Repairs Property Management ✅
Lease Enforcement Property Management ✅
Income Certification LHA ✅
Voucher Issuance & Portability LHA ✅
Compliance & Fair Housing LHA ✅

 

🤝 What This Means for You

If you are a tenant, or community partner:

  • Contact the property manager for maintenance, rent issues, or lease concerns
  • Contact LHA for eligibility, voucher status, transfers, or program questions

 

This shift ensures faster, more accountable service in each area—while allowing LHA to focus on the core HUD compliance work that protects both public funding and resident housing stability.

Want to learn more about RAD or how LHA can support your housing needs?

📞 Contact us at 336-249-8936 for service details.