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HEARING - Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board, acting as the Governing Board of the El Dorado County Public Housing Authority (PHA):
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 091-2017 to acknowledge the El Dorado County PHA as a high performing agency exempt from the requirement to submit an annual Agency Plan update to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and approve the updates to the PHA Administrative Plan for continued administration of the Housing Choice Voucher Program; and
2) Authorize the Chair to sign certifications, if any, related to submittal of the 2017 Annual Administrative Plan Update List of Revisions to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Est. Time: 10 Min.)
FUNDING: Federal funding, administered by Health and Human Services Agency.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt a Resolution and authorize the Chair to sign certifications, if any, related to the submittal of the 2017 Annual Administrative Plan Update List of Revisions.
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. This federally funded program provides eligible low-income individuals and families with safe and healthy 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 County PHA develops and submits a five-year Public Housing Authority Agency Plan to HUD. Thereafter, the annual updated Agency Plan is submitted to the Board for approval. This annual update is required 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 Agency 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 submission to HUD must have fewer than 550 vouchers or units, must not be designated in a HUD audit as a troubled PHA, and must not have a failing score under the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP). SEMAP scores 90-100 as High Performer Rating; 60-89 as Standard Rating; and a score less than 60 is considered a Troubled Housing Authority.
The El Dorado PHA meets the requirements for exemption as it currently has 374 vouchers/units, has not been designated by HUD as a troubled PHA, and has scored 96, thereby meeting the criteria of a High Performer on the SEMAP assessment.
Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan:
On September 12, 1995, the Board adopted a local Administrative Plan to establish policies for the PHA. 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 Administrative Plan was posted for public comment and the public notifications of this hearing were distributed on April 20, 2017, in accordance with notice requirement. Upon review and approval by the Board, the PHA submits a list of revisions to the plan to HUD.
Upon receipt and approval of the PHA Agency Plan and PHA Administrative Plan annual updates, the Board adopts and approves a Resolution indicating approval, completes certain certifications attached hereto, and HHSA submits said Resolution and Certifications to HUD. The PHA Agency Plan and PHA Administrative Plan annual updates are not submitted to HUD.
ALTERNATIVES:
Disapproval of the Resolution and the updated 2017 Annual Administrative Plan Update List of Revisions will result in the El Dorado County PHA Administrative Plan being out of date with federal regulations and will not 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 one (1) resolution and two of any certifications.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) certified resolution and one (1) each of any signed certification to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director