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Approve the revised Solano County Housing Authority Administrative Plan for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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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 Solano County Housing Authority (SCHA) approve the revised Solano County Housing Authority Administrative Plan for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
SUMMARY:
A comprehensive update to the SCHA Administrative Plan was last completed in 2012. The Board is requested to approve an updated Administrative Plan, which is based on HUD’s model plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The Housing Authority program is financed through HUD.
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program provides rent subsidies on behalf of very low-income households (annual income below $42,850 for a household of four) so they can live in decent, safe and affordable housing. The Solano County Housing Authority (SCHA) program (whose jurisdiction includes the City of Dixon, City of Rio Vista and the Unincorporated Areas of Solano County) is administered by the Vacaville Housing Authority by contract with Solano County. The SCHA program contributes an annual investment of approximately $2,500,000 into the economy by providing rental subsidies on behalf of eligible families. HUD allocates 270 tenant-based vouchers and 20 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers (VASH) to the SCHA.
HUD issues program regulations that housing authorities must follow, but also allows housing authorities to establish local policies through the Administrative Plan. The SCHA periodically updates the Administrative Plan as regulations and other circumstances change, when new programs are added, or when clarification of existing policy is needed. For example, the Administrative Plan was revised in April of 2018 in order to address HUD streamlining measures related to the annual program eligibility re-certification process for some program participants.
A comprehensive update to the SCHA Administrative Plan was last considered by the Board in January 2012. Necessary and required changes have occurred on an as-needed basis since that time.
Staff is recommending that a comprehensive update to the SCHA Administrative Plan be considered. The overall changes to the Plan include:
• Follows format of 2019 industry standard Model Administrative Plan:
o Clearly separates program regulations and requirements from areas of SCHA discretionary policy (areas of SCHA discretionary policy are titled SCHA Policy in Attachment 2, Draft Revised Administrative Plan and must be consistent with HUD regulations).
o Adds, deletes and/or changes language in conformance with Model Plan (for example: “landlord” has been changed to “owner” throughout plan).
o Adds, deletes and/or changes language in conformance with current program rules and regulations.
o Adds, deletes and/or changes language in conformance with current practices.
o Removes redundancies.
o Removes staff level administrative processes (processes are included in staff procedure manuals and training materials).
• Updates Code of Federal Regulation, Public Housing Information Notice, HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook, and other references and recitals.
• Adds specific timelines (for example: a notice will be sent within 10 business days) for many SCHA practices.
• Several Exhibits have been added, deleted or updated.
Updated, revised and new discretionary policy changes are described in Attachment 1, Executive Summary of Administrative Plan Changes. Attachment 2 is the draft revised Administrative Plan in its entirety. Current text to be deleted is shown in strikethrough and new text is shown in italics throughout the sixteen chapter document.
If approved by the Housing Authority Board, the amended Administrative Plan will be submitted to HUD as required and will be used as the guide and rules for administering the SCHA Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Staff and the City are exploring an additional program focused on disables veterans referred to as the “Mainstream Voucher Program”. Should HUD approval be granted the plan would be updated for Board approval.
Public Noticing Requirement: Public notice is not required.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Housing Authority may choose to take no action to update the Administrative Plan. This action is not recommended because the proposed revisions effectively bring the Plan up to date, providing a benefit to both SCHA staff in its administration of the program and to tenants in need of assistance.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Vacaville Housing Authority, on behalf of Solano County, prepared the updated Administrative Plan. If approved by the SCHA, the updated Administrative Plan will be submitted to HUD. The County Administrator and County Counsel have reviewed this item and concur with the recommended action.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION