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File #: 24-872    Version: 1 Name: SCHA Status Update
Type: Report Status: Regular Calendar
In control: Resource Management
On agenda: 12/10/2024 Final action: 12/10/2024
Title: Receive an update on the Solano County Housing Authority's activities during FY2023/24
District: All

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Receive an update on the Solano County Housing Authority’s activities during FY2023/24

 

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Published Notice Required?     Yes ____ No _X _  

Public Hearing Required?         Yes ____ No _X _

 

DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:

 

The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors receive an update on the Solano County Housing Authority (SCHA) activities during FY2023/24.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Solano County Board of Supervisors sits as the SCHA, and day to day activities are contracted to and administered by the City of Vacaville Housing Authority (VHA) staff. City of Vacaville staff presents an update each spring to the SCHA, providing any required updates to language in the Administrative Plan and any supplemental plans required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  This fall report is intended to provide an annual update to the Board of Supervisors on activities from the prior fiscal year (FY2023/24).  No action is requested of the SCHA at this time. 

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

Costs associated with the administration of the program are paid by HUD and are passed through the County to the VHA, who administers SCHA’s housing programs.  The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.  

 

DISCUSSION:

 

The SCHA administers 372 vouchers, comprised of the following:

 

                     268 standard Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)

                     45 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers

                     6 VASH Project-Based Vouchers (PBV)

                     53 Mainstream Vouchers

 

This agenda item is intended to serve as an update on the SCHA FY2023/24 program, which did include a change to the Administrative Plan as described below.

 

FY 2023/24 Program Activity

On April 9, 2024, the Board of Supervisors, as the legislative body of the SCHA, approved changes to the SCHA Administrative Plan. The overall changes to the Plan included:

 

                     Alignment with the format of the 2023 industry standard Model Administrative Plan:

o                     Updates made in compliance with HUD’s Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2106 (HOTMA) regulations included:

§                     Asset limitations

§                     Admission policies

§                     Reexamination policies

§                     Income calculation policies

§                     Clarifications on definitions related to income and deductions

                     Transition from Housing Quality Standards (HQS) to National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) standards

                     Removed redundancies

                     Updated Code of Federal Regulation, Public Housing Information Notice, HUD Housing Choice Voucher guidebook, and other references and recitals

                     Added, deleted and/or changed language and format in conformance with:

o                     Model Plan (for example: “HQS” was changed to “NSPIRE” throughout plan), current program rules, regulations and HUD guidance, and current practices.

 

Voucher Use

Of the 268 regular Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), 209 are in use with 12 households currently searching for housing to utilize their vouchers.  Due to staffing constraints, eligibility appointments for the remaining 47 SCHA vouchers were postponed from August 2023 through May 2024. As VHA staff resume these appointments, they are actively working to enhance placement success by focusing on outreach efforts and inviting eligible individuals to participate. While limited housing stock and the need for accessible amenities in certain areas have posed challenges, staff are committed to identifying opportunities and fostering connections with landlords to increase available housing options for participants.

 

Of the 53 Mainstream Vouchers, 18 are in use.  The remaining 38 SCHA Mainstream vouchers remain available for the same reasons affecting the HCV vouchers.  As with the HCV vouchers, VHA is actively working to enhance placement success by focusing on outreach efforts and inviting eligible individuals to participate and they are committed to identifying opportunities and fostering connections with landlords to increase available housing options for participants. 

 

Of the 45 VASH vouchers available, 26 are currently in use. The remaining vouchers are actively available, with VHA and the VA working collaboratively to address challenges that have impacted voucher utilization. While limited housing options in desirable areas and staffing shortages have delayed some eligibility appointments, both agencies are focused on streamlining the process to improve access. Additionally, VHA is working with the VA to enhance outreach and engagement efforts to connect more veterans with housing opportunities and ensure they are referred promptly to the SCHA.

 

Of the 6 PB vouchers, one is in use and the remaining five are ready to be issued.  These vouchers support shared housing in Rio Vista, where leasing has been challenging due to limited access to amenities like grocery stores, shopping centers, and medical facilities. However, VHA staff continue to actively reach out and call eligible individuals, working diligently to connect them with this housing option. Ongoing efforts aim to maximize the appeal of these vouchers and increase successful placements for those in need.

 

VHA staff is actively working to lease up the remaining vouchers and will continue these efforts moving forward. The SCHA has a waiting list of 921 applicants and is currently closed. VHA, on behalf of the SCHA, will begin to pull applicants from the waiting list in January 2025.  

 

Additional Administrative Fees for HUD-VASH

In April 2024 the SCHA applied for additional Administrative Fees for HUD-VASH.  On August 16, 2024, SCHA was awarded $14,366 in additional Administrative Fees. 

 

Landlord Incentive Program

The Landlord Incentive Program was launched in May 2024 to support and retain landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. This program includes several benefits:

1.                     New Landlord Bonus: New landlords may receive a one-time bonus of $500 per unit, up to a maximum of $2,500, provided the unit has not received HCV payments in the previous 24-month period.

2.                     Vacancy Loss Payment: Existing landlords may apply for a payment of up to 30 days’ rent to cover vacancy periods while working with SCHA to identify a new participant.

3.                     Damage Claims: Landlords may request up to $2,500 per unit to cover damages that exceed normal wear and tear, after accounting for the security deposit.

4.                     Pre-qualifying Unit Inspections: Landlords may also request a pre-inspection of a vacant unit, with inspections remaining valid for 90 days while the unit remains vacant.

 

During the FY2023/24 period, the program allocated $84,500, including $12,500 for sign-on bonuses, $30,000 for vacancy loss, and $42,000 for damage claims. To date, one sign-on bonus totaling $500 has been issued, with no claims yet made for vacancy loss or damage reimbursement. As staffing levels increase, proactive outreach to both current and prospective landlords will intensify. Planned outreach includes distributing brochures, updating the program website, utilizing social media, and direct engagement efforts.

 

ALTERNATIVES:

 

The Board of Supervisors may choose not to accept this update. This action is not recommended because the SCHA values transparency and is committed to keeping stakeholders informed. Choosing not to accept this update is not recommended, as SCHA aims to ensure the program remains aligned with HUD’s regulations and best practices. By accepting this update, the SCHA can continue to provide clarity and maintain consistency with federal guidelines.

 

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:

 

Funding for the SCHA Housing Choice Voucher program is provided by HUD.  Through a mutually approved Agreement, the City of Vacaville administers the program on behalf of the County.

 

CAO RECOMMENDATION:

 

APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION