Marchman also notes that HUD is encouraging public housing authorities to adopt decentralized management techniques common in the private sector. But if public housing management offers opportunities, it comes as little surprise that there are some challenges as well. While it is easy to fall into the mistake of thinking of all public housing as a monolith, one problem shared by almost every authority is a complex network of bureaucratic guidelines on everything from leasing and reporting to unit repair and turnover. This presents a marked contrast to current private management trends that favor employee empowerment and decentralization to the site. HUD tries to find a program that will apply to both Guam and Washington, D. C. because it views its mission as one of national oversight.
Many people feel that it's time to revisit that decision, but the requirements are still in place.
Yet, this same centralization slows responses in filling vacant units. In addition, many authorities centralize not only the waiting list but applicant screening as well, which may create situations in which the site manager has little control in choosing residents. Finally, some housing authorities do not delegate lease enforcement and eviction to their private property managers, leading to situations in which the site manager cannot get rid of troublemakers. Confronted with this complex set of regulations, some managers look elsewhere for business. Others work to find common ground.