Title
Public Housing Authority Board to consider the approval and release of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program escrow account funds in the amount of $16,831.42 to a participant who has successfully graduated from the Housing Choice Voucher Family Self Sufficiency Program on August 1, 2007, contingent upon County Counsel review and concurrence.
FUNDING: Federal Housing Choice Voucher Family Self Sufficiency Program Funds.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$ 16,831.42 |
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$ 16,831.42 |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$ 16,831.42 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$ 0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: No Change.
Background:
As part of the overall welfare-to-work movement, the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development instituted an incentive program, the Family Self Sufficiency component of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, to enable families receiving federal rental housing assistance to transition from dependence on governmental assistance by contracting with their local Public Housing Authority to set aside a portion of earned income into an escrow account to be accessed upon "graduation" from the Program. Previously, families would go onto Section 8 and remain there for life. With the Family Self Sufficiency Program, the obligations and incentives (escrow accounts) to move off assistance are built into the program. Thirty families have successfully "graduated" from assistance in our County. A detailed summary of the Family Self Sufficiency Program, Escrow Accounts and governing regulations is attached.
Reason for Recommendation:
A Housing Choice Voucher Program participant chose to enter into a Family Self-Sufficiency Program contract (HAP #V00052-3-1103) and proceeded to meet her goals as agreed. Human Services received a letter from the participant on July 12, 2006 requesting a one-year extension of her contract for "Good Cause" as allowed under Family Self-Sufficiency Program regulations, and an extension was granted verbally. While the contract was extended and the participant continued to meet all contractual requirements, an oversight on the part of Program staff resulted in the Department's failure to provide her with written confirmation of the verbal extension of her contract in a timely manner. A written addendum to the family's Action Plan in February 2007 demonstrates the Program Coordinator's approval. The Human Services Department has determined that the participant earned these funds by meeting her contractual obligations under the Family Self-Sufficiency component of the Housing Choice Voucher Program and that the Department is obligated to pay the participant family the funds contained in their escrow account. The Auditor-Controller has questioned the authority of the Human Services staff to verbally amend contracts and has declined to pay the claim.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
Auditor-Controller to issue a check to the participant in the amount of $16,831.42, the amount accumulated in her Family Self-Sufficiency Escrow Account.
Contact: Doug Nowka, 621-6163
Concurrences: N/A