Salem Housing Authority to lower its payment standards, indicating more rental units available

In a sign that more rental units are becoming available, the Salem Housing Authority will lower its payment standards this month. 

A payment standard is the maximum amount a local housing agency can pay toward rent and utilities for participants in the Housing Choice Voucher program. SHA pays a subsidy directly to a landlord, and the difference between the actual cost and the subsidy is paid by the tenant, which is at least 30% of…