Title
HUD Annual Actions: Annual Agency Plan, Capital Fund Program, Administrative Plan, Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (Ordinance S-44381)
Description
This report requests City Council adoption of the Housing Department’s 2018-2019 Annual Agency Plan, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan, the Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy, the Capital Fund Program (HUD form 50075.1), and the Capital Fund Five-Year Action Plan (HUD form 50075.2). Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to the above-mentioned items. There is no impact to the General Fund.
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 2018-2019 Annual Agency Plan include:
- Incorporation of the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Significant Amendment to the 2017-2018 Annual Agency Plan for Foothills Village, A. L. Krohn East, Frank Luke Homes, A. L. Krohn and Sidney P. Osborn communities.
- Incorporation of the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) award received in October 2017 for seven additional properties including Maryvale Parkway Terrace, Washington Manor, Pine Tower Apartments, McCarty on Monroe, Aeroterra Senior Village, Summit Apartments and Scattered Sites.
- Updating the Housing Department’s policies to reflect new HUD guidance regarding the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Action of 2016, Violence Against Women Act, and Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2016, which streamlined some operations and allows for the recertification of residents on a fixed income every three years, instead of annually.
- Implementation of programmatic changes to the Housing Department's Section 32 Homeownership Program, including the expansion of the definition of earned income and the implementation of a price reduction structure for hard-to-sell homes.
- Notification that the Housing Department is transitioning the management and operations of its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program to a private vendor.
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 300 apartments will be modernized by the improvements listed in the 2018-2019 Capital Fund Program Plan and the Capital Fund Five-Year Action Plan.
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.
Copies of the plans are available at phoenix.gov/housing.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. All programs included in the Annual Action Plans are federally-funded.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was heard at the Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency and Neighborhoods Subcommittee on Feb. 20, 2018, and recommended for approval by a vote of 3-0. On Oct. 4, 2017, City Council approved the adoption of a Significant Amendment to the Housing Department’s 2017-2018 Annual Agency Plan for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) award and implementation of RAD program requirements. On May 31, 2017, City Council authorized applying for RAD for six additional multi-family rental properties, and to implement the program, if awarded. On Dec. 14, 2016, City Council authorized amending the Housing Department's Section 32 Homeownership Plan to remove the requirement for earned income and to allow for administrative reductions in the sales price for homes remaining unsold for extended periods. On Feb. 18, 2015, City Council authorized the Housing Department applying for RAD for up to 160 Scattered Sites homes.
Public Outreach
The 13-member Resident Advisory Board (representing the Conventional, Senior, Scattered Sites and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs) met on Jan. 30, 2018 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. 13, 2018 to obtain input and comments from the public on the proposed Annual Agency Plan and Capital Fund Program Plan. No comments were received.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Housing Department.