Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board, acting as the Board of Commissioners of the El Dorado County Public Housing Authority (PHA), to authorize the Chair and the HHSA Director to sign the accompanying PHA Civil Rights Certification, as required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The EDC PHA operates under federal guidelines from HUD to provide a rental subsidy assistance program called the Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Program. The HCV Program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and those with disabilities to afford decent, safe, and accessible housing in the private market. The HCV Program allows EDC PHA to provide eligible participants with rental assistance through the administration of HUD allocated housing vouchers.
On April 9, 2024, the Board adopted Resolution 051-2024, approving EDC PHA’s current 2024 Administrative Plan, which establishes policies for local operation of the HCV Program (Legistar file 24-0323). Title VII of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 established certain exemptions to the annual Administrative PHA Plan submittal to HUD. Under this statute, a qualified PHA is exempt from submitting an updated Administrative Plan to HUD when the PHA has fewer than 550 housing vouchers or units allocated, is not designated in a HUD audit as a troubled PHA and does not have a failing score under the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP). The HUD SEMAP scoring ranges and designation categories are as follows:
- 90-100 equates to a High Performer designation;
- 60-89 equates to a Standard Performer designation; and
- A score less than 60 is considered a Troubled Housing Authority designation.
EDC PHA is considered a qualified, High Performing PHA, therefore, is exempt from submission of a PHA Annual Plan, however, is still required to submit HUD’s Civil Rights Certification (Form HUD-50077-CR) to certify compliance with all applicable civil rights laws and regulations.
By executing this certification, the Chair and the HHSA Director are affirming that EDC PHA will continue to administer its HCV Program in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable civil rights requirements. EDC PHA ensures that all services, including tenant selection, waitlist management, reasonable accommodations, and landlord engagement, are conducted in a manner that will further fair housing and in compliance with all applicable civil rights requirements.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this certification, EDC PHA will be out of compliance with federal regulations. EDC PHA must stay in compliance to continue providing safe and affordable housing to eligible low-income individuals and families through the HCV Program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 10/13/20, 20-1261, HHSA PHA 2020-2025 5-year Agency Plan and Administrative Plan Update
2) 12/07/21, 21-1625, HHSA Amended 2021 Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan
3) 12/13/22, 22-2010, HHSA Public Housing Authority Updated 2022 Administrative Plan and Resolution
4) 08/15/23, 23-1085, HHSA Public Housing Authority Updated 2022 Administrative Plan, Chapter 4 changes
5) 12/12/23, 23-1777, HHSA 2023 Public Housing Authority Resolution and Certifications
6) 04/09/24, 24-0323, HHSA 2024 Public Housing Authority Resolution and Certifications
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to the execution of the certification.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on the Civil Rights Certification (Form HUD-50077-CR).
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency