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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:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 170-2019 to acknowledge the updates related to the Mainstream Voucher Program, thereby amending the 2019 Administrative Plan; and
2) Authorize the Director of Health and Human Services to sign certifications or documents, if any, related to submittal of the amended 2019 Administrative Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Est. Time: 10 Min.)
FUNDING: 93% Federal, 4.2% Public Housing Authority Fund Balance, 2.5% General Fund, 0.3% other revenue sources.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The El Dorado County PHA provides eligible participants with rental assistance vouchers to offset housing costs through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. This federally funded program provides eligible low-income individuals and families with safe 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 and provides 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 County PHA meets the requirements for exemption as it currently has 379 vouchers/units, has not been designated by HUD as a troubled PHA, and has scored 100 on the 2018 SEMAP Assessment, thereby meeting the criteria of a High Performer.
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 it 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 updated plan in a public hearing. The Administrative Plan was posted for public comment and the public notifications of this hearing were published in May 2019, in accordance with notice requirement. After review and approval by the Board, the PHA submits a list of revisions made to the Administrative 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 the approvals, completes certain certifications and documents, and HHSA submits said Resolution and Certifications/documents to HUD. The PHA Agency Plan and PHA Administrative Plan annual updates are not submitted to HUD.
Mainstream Voucher Program:
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 made approximately $385 million available for new mainstream vouchers. On September 4, 2018, HUD awarded more than $98 million to qualified applicants through a previous funding announcement. On July 2, 2019, the HUD released a Notice of Funding Availability for the Mainstream Voucher Program.
The goal of the Mainstream Voucher Program is to provide additional vouchers to those PHAs who will assist non-elderly persons with disabilities transitioning out of an institutional setting as well as those currently experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Preference points will be awarded for PHAs that demonstrate established partnerships with supportive service partner agencies and organizations, including organizations providing services similar to those provided by the Health and Human Services Agency.
On August 13, 2019, the Board authorized the submission of a funding application to HUD for the Mainstream Voucher Program.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation and disapprove the Resolution, the HHSA Public Housing Authority would be ineligible to accept funding and or implement the Mainstream Voucher Program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 08-13-2019, File ID 19-1136, HHSA Mainstream Voucher Program Application
2) 06-04-2019, File ID 19-0797, HHSA 2019 Public Housing Authority
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
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.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) certified resolution to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal: “Healthy Communities - Improved health, well-being and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director, Health and Human Services Agency