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Conduct a noticed public hearing to approve the Solano County Housing Authority revised Public Housing Agency Annual Plan, Moving-to-Work Supplemental Plan and Administrative Plan
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Published Notice Required? Yes _X__ No _ _
Public Hearing Required? Yes _X__ No _ _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Conduct a noticed public hearing; and
2. Approve the Solano County Housing Authority revised Public Housing Agency Annual Plan, Moving-to-Work Supplemental Plan and Administrative Plan.
SUMMARY:
The Solano County Housing Authority (SCHA) contracts with the City of Vacaville Housing Authority for administration of its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, a federally funded program that assists low-income households by subsidizing a portion of their rents. The SCHA's Housing Choice Voucher program assists residents renting units in the unincorporated areas of Solano County (mainly rural areas) and the cities of Dixon and Rio Vista.
The 1988 Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act requires the SCHA develop a Public Housing Agency Plan (PHA Plan). The PHA Plan consists of two components: a Five-Year Plan, which outlines the mission of the agency for serving low income and very low-income families and its goals and objectives, and an Annual Plan that addresses policies and procedures of the agency and provides strategies for addressing the needs identified within the Five-Year Plan. The Annual Plan also provides details about the SCHA programs for the upcoming fiscal year in relation to the Five-Year Plan. The current Five-Year Plan was approved on April 8, 2025, and will come back to the Board for consideration in 2030. Two additional required plans are an Administrative Plan, which is designed to establish policies for carrying out Section 8 tenant-based assistance programs in a manner consistent with Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations and local goals and objectives, as well as a Moving To Work (MTW) Supplemental Plan to address specific policies related to the MTW program.
SCHA is required to hold a public hearing and, following the hearing, consider approval of revisions to the Administrative Plan. Revisions to the Administrative Plan are summarized in Attachment A with the red-line version provided as Attachment B. The Annual Plan, MTW Supplemental Plan and summary of changes for both the Annual Plan and MTW Supplemental Plan are provided in Attachments C through E, respectively. If approved by the Board, the Plans will be submitted to HUD.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Costs associated with the administration of the program are paid by HUD and are passed through the County to the City of Vacaville, who administers the SCHA’s housing programs. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program provides rent subsidies to very low-income Solano County households (annual income below $68,700 for a household of four), enabling them access to safe, decent, and affordable housing. The SCHA administers the program within the Cities of Dixon and Rio Vista, as well as the unincorporated areas of Solano County, contributing approximately $3,267,000 annually to the local economy. HUD currently allocates funding to support up to 372 voucher holders each month. A breakdown of the voucher types along with the number of vouchers currently used is provided in Attachment F.
HUD establishes program regulations; however, housing authorities may adopt local policies through the Administrative Plan. SCHA periodically updates the Administrative Plan to reflect regulatory changes, new programs, and clarifications to existing policies.
Administrative Plan
The revised Administrative Plan includes minor policy updates and clarifications. Key revisions include clarifying residency preferences in accordance with HUD PIH Notice 2025-08, adding language addressing actions when a family fails to repay a debt, and incorporating policies related to voucher terms and extensions, foster care referrals, project-basing authority and waitlist and issuance preferences for Family Unification Program (FUP) and Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers. The Plan also updates policies to align with current SCHA practices.
Although SCHA does not currently administer FUP or FYI vouchers, updating the relevant chapter to reflect current regulations is required. Should HUD award these vouchers in the future, the Administrative Plan will already include the necessary policies. Including this language positions SCHA to act quickly should funding opportunities arise, without requiring additional amendments. While no immediate award is anticipated, these programs remain a potential resource, and maintaining the framework supports program readiness.
Attachment A provides an executive summary of the revisions. A full redlined version of the Administrative Plan (Chapters 4, 16, and 18) is available in Attachment B.
Annual and MTW Supplemental Plans
HUD requires Public Housing Authorities submit an Annual Plan (Attachment C) each fiscal year under the Five-Year Plan period, to maintain eligibility for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) funding. As a qualified Public Housing Authority under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), Title VII, Small Public Housing Authorities Paperwork Reduction Act, the SCHA is generally exempt from submitting an Annual Plan; however, a public hearing and opportunity for public comment are required when changes are made to goals, objectives or policies.
SCHA must also consult with the Resident Advisory Board (RAB), which consists of voucher participants who provide input on the Annual Plan. While participation has historically been limited, SCHA continues outreach efforts to solicit input. As part of the Annual and MTW Supplemental Plan process on March 12, 2026, the SCHA conducted a virtual Resident Advisory Board/community outreach meeting for participants and the community. RAB Agenda is provided in Attachment G.
As a Moving to Work (MTW) agency, SCHA is required to submit a MTW Supplemental Plan. SCHA received its MTW designation from HUD in 2021, providing increased flexibility to tailor programs, improving efficiency, and reducing administrative costs. For this cycle, SCHA prepared both an Annual Plan and an MTW Supplemental Plan (Attachments C and D).
Both plans are submitted using HUD-required templates and include key elements such as agency information; mission, goals, and objectives; updates to plan elements; progress reporting; planned activities; MTW demonstration and waiver activities and required certifications. The mandated elements include the following:
• Housing Authority information
• Locations where the public can obtain a copy of the Annual and MTW Plan
• Mission for serving the needs of low, very low, and extremely low-income families in the SCHA’s jurisdiction for the next five years
• Housing Agency Plan elements that have been revised since the last Annual Plan
• Goals and objectives for the upcoming year
• Progress made in meeting the goals and objectives described in the active Annual Plan
• Progress made in meeting the goals and objectives described in the previous Annual Plan
• Goals and objectives for the upcoming year
• New Activities planned in the upcoming year
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) specific goals, activities, objectives, policies, and/or programs
• Findings (if any) of the SCHA’s most recent financial audit
• Criteria used for determining a significant amendment or modification to the Annual Plan
• Capital Improvements (not applicable, the SCHA does not own Public Housing)
• SCHA MTW Demonstration Narrative
• Proposed MTW Waivers and Associated MTW Activities
• Safe Harbor Waivers (if applicable)
• Agency-Specific Waivers (if applicable)
• Challenged Elements (if any)
• Certification of Compliance with Housing Agency Plans and Related Regulations and Resident Advisory Board recommendations
The Annual and MTW Supplemental Plans were made available for a 45-day public review period.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the revised Administrative Plan, Annual Plan and MTW Supplemental Plan. This alternative is not recommended, as approval of these Plans is required for SCHA to continue administering the Housing Choice Voucher program and operating as an MTW agency, per requirements of HUD.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Funding for the SCHA Housing Choice Voucher program comes from HUD. Through a mutually approved Agreement, the City of Vacaville administers the program on the County’s behalf.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION