Title
HUD Annual Actions - Annual Plan, Capital Fund Program, Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy, Administrative Plan, and Family Self Sufficiency Plan (Ordinance S-43326)
Description
This report requests City Council adoption of the Housing Department's 2017-2018 Annual Agency Plan, 2017-2018 Capital Fund Program, the Capital Fund 5-Year Action Plan HUD Form 50072.2, amended Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan, Family Self Sufficiency Action Plan, and Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy for Public Housing. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to the above-mentioned items.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix Housing Department is required by federal regulation to update and submit plans and policies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) each year.
Annual Agency Plan
The Annual Agency Plan provides an overview of community needs and available resources, identifies methods to address the needs, and translates those methods into policies and programs. The Annual Agency Plan is a comprehensive guide to the Housing Department’s policies, programs, operations, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. Significant changes in the 2017-2018 Annual Agency Plan include:
*Implementation of HUD's new non-smoking regulation for Public Housing units.
*Expansion of the Housing Department’s Section 32 Homeownership Program that incorporates changes approved by the City Council and HUD in 2016.
*Updating the Housing Department's policies to reflect new HUD guidance regarding, for example, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, revised Language Access Plan for Limited English Proficiency, Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016, Final Rule on harassment, guidance on nuisance ordinances, Violence Against Women Act, and handling and use of criminal records.
*Addition of project-based vouchers for Phoenix Starfish Place to serve victims of human trafficking.
*Set aside of 25 Housing Choice Vouchers for victims of domestic violence.
*Submittal of Rental Assistance Demonstration Program applications.
*Award of the following grants: Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action, Jobs Plus, and ROSS for Education.
Capital Fund Program
The Capital Fund Program provides funding to upgrade, renovate, rehabilitate and improve the systems and structures of the Housing Department’s Public Housing properties. Approximately 800 apartments and single-family homes will be enhanced by the improvements noted in the 2017-2018 Capital Fund Program and the Capital Fund 5-Year Action Plan HUD Form 50072.2 documents.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan and the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan and the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy have been amended to clarify and modify policies and to conform to changes in federal regulations and the Annual Agency Plan.
Family Self Sufficiency Plan
The Family Self Sufficiency Plan was amended to expand the eligible public housing participants from 75 to 150, and to also support the Family Unification Program that houses young adults aging out of foster care. These changes involve no additional costs.
Copies of the plans are available at phoenix.gov/housing.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency and Neighborhoods Subcommittee recommended City Council approval at its Feb. 21, 2017 meeting by a vote of 4-0.
Public Outreach
The 13-member Resident Advisory Board (representing the Conventional, Senior, Scattered Sites and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs) met on Jan. 19, 2017, to consider these annual documents. As required by federal regulation, the public was given a 45-day notice to provide comments. A public hearing was held on Feb. 8, 2017 to obtain input and comments from the public on the proposed Annual Agency Plan and Capital Fund Program. No comments were received.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Housing Department.