TITLE
Recommendation to conduct a public hearing to review the proposed revision of the Five-Year Housing Plan (2016-2020) and the Annual Plan (2016-2017), receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the hearing, adopt resolution to certify the revised Five-Year Housing Plan and the Annual Plan, and authorize the Deputy Executive Director to transmit them to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
This hearing is to review and adopt a new revised Five-Year Plan and an Annual Housing Plan, as required by Section 511 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998. The revision to the Five-Year Plan, requested by HUD, changes the term of the Plan from 2015-2019 to 2016-2020.
In 1998, Congress enacted legislation known as the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act, requiring each Housing Authority to complete a Five-Year Housing Plan and Annual Plan (collectively, Plans) and to update and submit them to HUD prior to the beginning of the Housing Authority’s fiscal year. The Housing Authority initially approved its first Plans in June 2000 and subsequently submitted them to HUD.
This Five-Year Housing Plan (2016-2020) (Exhibit A) describes the mission of the Housing Authority and its long-term goals and objectives for the subsequent five years, which is reviewed and updated annually. The Annual Plan (2016-2017) provides details about the Housing Authority’s immediate operations, programs, and services, and is updated on an annual basis. The Annual Plan also addresses the Housing Authority’s strategy for handling operational concerns, as well as residents’ concerns and needs. Please note that staff is not recommending any major changes to the administration of the Housing Authority’s affordable housing programs at this time. However, we are currently in the process of implementing four project-based voucher developments: the 21st & Long Beach Boulevard Senior Apartments (15 units), Cabrillo Gateway (80 units for homeless families), Bretheran Manor (294 units for the elderly), and American Goldstar Manor (348 units for elderly veterans), representing 737 additional affordable housing units for Long Beach.
The Housing Authority will continue to review new requests for project-based voucher usage for housing special needs populations, as identified in the City’s Consolidated Plan and Housing Element, as funding allows. As proposed in the Five-Year Plan, the Housing Authority will also revise and update the Administrative Plan to concur with all HUD Housing Federal Regulations. The Housing Authority is also planning to open the HCV waiting list in FY 2016, which has been closed since 2003.
HUD regulations require that a Resident Advisory Board (RAB) be established to provide input regarding the creation and amendment of these Plans. This year, that requirement was met by inviting a number of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants to take part in the RAB. The forum was held on the afternoon of May 20, 2015, and the RAB consisted of tenants of all ages, from different ethnicities and backgrounds, and reflected the Housing Authority’s diverse clientele. The group was able to provide thoughtful feedback on the Section 8 HCV program, and their recommendations and insights have been considered and addressed in the Plans prepared by staff. The draft Plans have been available for review by the public on the website, www.haclb.org.
The attached Resolution updates and accompanies the Five-Year Housing Plan (2016-2020) and the Annual Plan (2016-2017) for submission to HUD.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on June 23, 2015 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 24, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Housing Authority Commission action is requested on July 14, 2015, as the Plans must be submitted to HUD no later than July 16, 2015, seventy-five days prior to the beginning of the Housing Authority’s fiscal year.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR