title
Conduct a noticed public hearing to approve the Solano County Housing Authority Public Housing Agency Annual Plan and Moving-to-Work Supplemental Plan
body
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 conduct a noticed public hearing and approve the Solano County Housing Authority (SCHA) Public Housing Agency Annual Plan and Moving-to-Work (MTW) Supplemental Plan.
SUMMARY:
The 1998 Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act requires the SCHA to develop Public Housing Agency Plans. The Agency Plans consists of a 5-Year Plan and an Annual Plan. The Annual Plan provides details about the SCHA programs for the upcoming fiscal year in relation to the 5-Year Plan. The request before the SCHA is to approve the Annual Plan for FY2021/22 and the MTW Supplemental Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2020/21 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program provides rent subsidies on behalf of very low-income Solano County households (annual income below $46,250 for a household of four) so they can live in decent, safe and affordable housing. The SCHA program contributes an annual investment of just over $2,050,000 into the local economy (Cities of Dixon, Rio Vista, and Unincorporated Areas of Solano County). HUD now allocates funding to assist up to 368 voucher holders each month. The number of each type of voucher provided to the SCHA by HUD is detailed in Attachment D.
HUD generally requires Public Housing Authorities to submit a 5-Year Plan and then an Annual Plan each fiscal year during the 5-Year Plan period for continued receipt of HCV funding. The current 5-Year Plan adopted on March 24, 2020, covers the period 2020-2025. Since the SCHA is a qualified Public Housing Authority (PHA), it is exempted from having to prepare and submit an annual plan by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), Title VII, Small Public Housing Authorities Paperwork Reduction Act. However, the SCHA is still required to hold a public hearing and invite comment if there are any changes to its goals, objectives, and policies. The SCHA must also consult with and consider the recommendations of the resident advisory board at the public hearing. The resident advisory board consists of individuals receiving voucher assistance for the purpose of providing input on development of the annual plan.
Proposed Changes
There are two primary changes that require approval of the Annual Plan at a public hearing: 1) incorporation of the MTW program, and 2) providing for the flexibility of adding project-based vouchers to the program. These are discussed in detail below:
MTW Program
In November 2020, Solano County submitted an application and resolution to HUD to be designated as an MTW program. That application was approved in January 2021. The MTW program allows a PHA more flexibility to design and test innovative housing and self-sufficiency strategies for low-income families that would not otherwise be permitted by HUD. This Annual Plan incorporates the new designation of the SCHA as an MTW agency.
Project Based Vouchers (PBV)
In addition to administering the tenant-based HCV program, the SCHA can use a “project base” approach for a portion of the vouchers it administers. Project base means that instead of the voucher and rental subsidy staying with the family, even if they move, the voucher subsidy stays with a specific unit. As long as a family resides in the subsidized unit and maintains eligibility, they receive the rental subsidy. SCHA will not be allocated additional funding for PBV units. The SCHA will use its tenant-based voucher funding to allocate project-based units to the project. In most situations, projects are typically selected for PBVs through a competitive process managed by the SCHA. The SCHA can increase utilization of vouchers in its program and increase affordable units in the jurisdiction through the award of PBVs.
This year, the SCHA prepared an Annual Plan (Attachment A and Attachment B) to coincide with the submission of the first MTW Supplemental Plan. As part of the Annual and MTW Supplemental Plan process, the SCHA conducted two (virtual) resident advisory board/community outreach meetings for participant and community engagement (Attachment C). Both plans must be submitted using HUD mandated templates/databases. The plans include the following:
• Locations where the public can obtain a copy of the Annual and MTW Plan
• Housing Agency Plan elements that have been revised since the last Annual Plan
• Progress made in meeting the goals and objectives described in the 5-year plan
• Goals and objectives for the upcoming year
• New Activities planned in the upcoming year
• Findings (if any) of the SCHA’s most recent financial audit
• SCHA MTW Demonstration Narrative
• Proposed MTW Waivers and Associated MTW Activities
• Safe Harbor Waivers (if applicable)
• Agency-Specific Waivers (if applicable)
• 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. One comment was submitted at a community outreach meeting regarding support services for Family Self-Sufficiency participants who reduce work hours for educational opportunities and staff responded. This is discussed in more detail in Attachment C. Based on outcomes from the public review period, no changes to the Annual Plan are necessary. The Housing Authority Board is being asked to hold the required public hearing and, following the public hearing, consider approval of the Annual Plan and MTW Supplemental Plan. If approved, the Plans will be submitted to HUD.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the Annual and MTW Supplemental Plans. This alternative is not recommended as the Annual Plan and MTW Supplemental Plan are required to be approved for the SCHA to continue with its Housing Choice Voucher program and operate as a 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