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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) 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 184-2023 to acknowledge the El Dorado County PHA as a high performing agency exempt from the requirement to annually receive approval from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of its Agency Plan; and
2) Authorize the Chair to sign the accompanying PHA Certifications as required by HUD.
FUNDING: 97.5% Federal United States Department of Housing and Urban Development funding, 2.2% General Fund, 0.3% other revenue sources.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The El Dorado County (EDC) PHA provides eligible participants with rental assistance to offset housing costs through the administration of housing vouchers. This federally funded program provides eligible low-income individuals and families with safe and affordable housing. HUD requires all PHAs to maintain an Agency Plan, which includes a Five-Year Plan that outlines program goals and objectives, as well as an Annual PHA Administrative Plan that covers program administration, policies, and procedures. The Annual PHA Administrative Plan is reviewed and updated at least once a year to reflect program changes and to ensure compliance with HUD regulations and requirements.
On October 13, 2020, the EDC PHA’s Five Year Plan was last reviewed and approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) (File 20-1261). On December 13, 2022, the 2022 Annual EDC PHA Administrative Plan and Resolution 183-2022 was reviewed and approved by the Board (File 22-2010). Subsequently, on August 15, 2023, the Board approved the 2022 Updated EDC PHA Administrative Plan, with revisions made to Chapter 4, “Applications, Waiting List and Tenant Selection” (File 23-1085).
The EDC PHA 2023 Annual Administrative Plan is currently being updated and will be brought before the Board in April of 2024 per HUD’s estimated extended deadline.
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 Administrative 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 494 vouchers/units and has scored 96 on the 2023 SEMAP Assessment, thereby meeting the criteria of a High Performer.
HHSA recommends that the Board adopt the annual Resolution hereto, acknowledging the EDC PHA as a high performing agency and sign the required annual PHA certifications, to ensure compliance with HUD requirements of PHAs.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation and disapprove the resolution, the EDC Public Housing Authority will be out of compliance with Federal regulations. It must stay in compliance in order to continue providing safe and affordable housing to eligible low-income individuals and families.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 06/06/17, 17-0540, HHSA 2017 Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan Update
2) 06/05/18, 18-0691, HHSA 2018 Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan Update
3) 06/04/19, 19-0797, HHSA 2019 Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan Update
4) 08/13/19, 19-1136, HHSA Mainstream Voucher Program Application
5) 10/22/19, 19-1289, HHSA Amended 2019 Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan
6) 05/05/20, 20-0457, HHSA PHA Further Amended PHA 2019 Administrative Plan
7) 10/13/20, 20-1261, HHSA PHA 2020-2025 5-yr Agency Plan and Administrative Plan Update
8) 12/07/21, 21-1625, HHSA Amended 2021 Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan
9) 12/13/22, 22-2010, HHSA Public Housing Authority Updated 2022 Administrative Plan and Resolution
10) 08/15/23, 23-1085, HHSA Public Housing Authority Updated 2022 Administrative Plan, Chapter 4 changes
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to the adoption of the resolution and execution of the certifications.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one resolution and two of the PHA certifications.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one certified resolution and one original of any signed certification/documents to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency