REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

BOARD MEETING DATE:  March  21, 2017
CATEGORY:  Shasta County Housing Authority Item - Regular-1.

SUBJECT:

Conduct a Public Hearing and Consider Adopting an Annual Plan for the Shasta County Housing Authority

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Richard Kuhns, Psy.D, Housing Director, (530) 225-5160

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Richard Kuhns, Psy.D, Housing Director

RECOMMENDATION

Take the following actions: (1) Conduct a public hearing; and (2) adopt a resolution which: (a) approves the Fiscal Year 2017-18 Streamlined Annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan for the Shasta County Housing Authority as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to maintain the Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program; and (b) approves and authorizes the Chairman to sign the PHA Certifications of Compliance with the PHA Plans and Related Regulations including Required Civil Rights Certifications.

SUMMARY

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that each housing authority prepare an annual plan.  HUD designs the format of the document and requires housing authorities to be in compliance.

DISCUSSION

The Housing Choice Voucher program provides monthly rental assistance payments directly to landlords on behalf of 967 low-income tenants.  The Housing Authority’s service area includes Modoc County; Siskiyou County; Trinity County; and all of Shasta County, excluding the City of Redding.  HUD regulations govern the program, which is standardized nationwide.  Both the Streamlined Annual PHA Plan and the PHA Certifications of Compliance with the PHA Plans and Related Regulations including Required Civil Rights Certifications are attached to this report and are available for review at the Housing Authority Office.  Additionally, the certificate of recognition awarded for high performance in administration of the Housing Choice Voucher program is attached.  A public notice was advertised in newspapers throughout the four-county region to solicit comments regarding the annual plan.  To date, no comments have been received.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could defer adoption of the annual plan.  The Board could schedule a more detailed discussion at a future date, or the plan could be modified.  The submission deadline to HUD for the annual plan is April 16, 2017.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The resolution was approved, as to form only, by County Counsel.  This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

The funding agency for the Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  There is no additional General Fund impact with approval of these recommendations.