COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Housing

DATE:

March 19, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 8, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

Public Hearing

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors (Sitting as the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority)

FROM:

Duane Bay, Director, Department of Housing

SUBJECT:

Resolution approving the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo 2008 Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution approving the 2008 Annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan for the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo and authorizing the Director of the Dept. of Housing or his designee to execute any documents required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to certify the plan.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Offering a full range of housing choices.

Goal(s): #9. Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families.

BACKGROUND:

The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act requires all Public Housing Agencies (PHA) create an annual PHA Plan that includes information related to waiting lists for services, public housing capital improvement needs, and plans for special programs such as homeownership, project-based vouchers and any regulatory waiver programs.

DISCUSSION:

The 2008 Annual Plan for the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo (HACSM) covers the period starting July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. It was completed in accordance with all HUD regulations, including requirements that it be reviewed by the Resident Advisory Board and that all documents be made available to the public for review for a prescribed period of time prior to adoption by the governing board. A public meeting was advertised in local newspapers and held to receive additional comments. The proposed Plan was posted on the internet for 45 days before public meetings were held. Public comments are incorporated into the proposed Annual Plan.

The 2008 Annual Plan includes the following features:

• In the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program, removal of the waiting list preference for “Moving To Work (MTW) participants who applied and qualified for hardship exemptions”. This action is a consequence of the Corrective Action Plan entered into with HUD in response to an Office of Inspector General finding that the preference was improper. MTW hardship cases will be responsibly handled within the MTW program.

• The intention of the Housing Authority to enter into a revised contract with HUD that enables the expansion of its Moving To Work (MTW) status to cover all of its operations and to extend the contract to 2018.

• Use of the additional authority granted under the MTW Program to permit the expanded use of project-based vouchers at Housing Authority developments undergoing the process of disposition from public housing status.

• Use of 60 of the existing 300 MTW vouchers to establish a Housing Readiness Program for homeless individuals and families in accordance with strategies being developed in conjunction with the County’s HOPE plan for ending homelessness.

• In response to Resident Advisory Board comment, the Housing Authority agrees to explore options for Housing Choice Voucher benefits for Midway Village residents who may have experienced difficulty using vouchers previously offered in connection with the soil remediation project.

The Annual Plan is consistent with the County’s Consolidated Plan as required for certification to HUD.

HUD regulations require that the approved Annual Plan and all associated certifications be submitted by April 17, 2008.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no Net County Cost associated with this action. All funds required to operate the program are supplied by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.