Title
HEARING - Acting as the Governing Board of the El Dorado County Public Housing Authority (PHA), Health and Human Services Agency, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 056-2016 to:
1) Acknowledge the El Dorado County PHA as a high performing agency exempt from the requirement to submit an annual Agency Plan update;
2) Approve a required annual amendment to the PHA Administrative Plan for continued administration of the Housing Choice Voucher Program for submittal to the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
3) Authorize the Chair to sign certifications, if any, related to submittal of the 2016 Update to the Administrative Plan. (Est. Time: 10 Min.)
FUNDING: Federal Funds.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt a Resolution and authorize the Chair sign certifications, if any, related to the submittal of the 2016 Update to the Public Housing Authority (PHA) Administrative Plan.
Submittal of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Certifications and Board Resolution by HUD’s deadline will bring the El Dorado County PHA Administrative Plan current in all aspects of administering the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The El Dorado County PHA provides eligible participants with rental assistance vouchers to offset housing costs through the HCV Program (formally known as Section 8). This federally funded program provides eligible low-income individuals and families with safe and sanitary housing. HUD requires all PHAs develop and maintain two plans for the operation and administration of the HCV Program: 1) the PHA Agency Plan addresses all aspects of the overall operation of the HCV Program; and 2) the PHA Administrative Plan establishes policies that conform to HUD regulations.
Public Housing Authority Agency Plan:
Historically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has required all PHAs to submit an updated Annual Agency Plan to provide the residents of the jurisdiction over which the PHA presides with knowledge of the PHA’s long-term and short-term goals and objectives. The Plan identifies policies, rules, and standards that govern program participation and management. Title VII of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, passed by the United States Congress on July 28, 2008, establishes certain exemptions to the annual submittal requirements under sections 2701 and 2702 of the Small Public Housing Authorities Paperwork Reduction Act. A PHA that is determined to be exempt from the required Annual Agency Plan update and submittal must have fewer than 550 vouchers or units, must not be designated as a troubled PHA, and must not have a failing score under the Section 8 Management Assessment Program.
Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan:
On September 12, 1995, the Board adopted a local Administrative Plan to establish policies for the Public Housing Authority. The Administrative Plan must be amended on an annual basis to keep the Plan consistent with changes initiated at the federal level and to reflect any local policy changes, and the public must be provided an opportunity to review and comment on the plan in a public hearing. The public notification of this hearing was posted on February 12, 2016, in accordance with notice requirement.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of the Resolution and Amendment will result in the El Dorado County PHA Administrative Plan not being current on updated federal regulations nor reflect any changes to local policies regarding the Administrative Plan.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1. Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Resolutions and two of any certifications.
2. Clerk of the Board to return one (1) originally signed Resolution and one (1) each of any signed certification to HHSA at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director