TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Revised Standard Utility Allowance Schedules; and
Adopt Energy Efficiency-Based Utility Allowance Schedules for New Construction Projects. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires Public Housing Agencies to annually review and amend, if necessary, their Utility Allowance Schedules
if there is a 10 percent change in utility rates. In October 2018, the Housing Authority commissioned The Nelrod Company to review and assess: (1) the Standard Utility Allowance Schedules, which are used when calculating the tenant portion that each assisted household must pay for utilities; and, (2) the Energy Efficient Utility Allowance Schedules, which are used to calculate the costs of tenant-paid utilities in new residential construction projects that meet certain energy efficiency criteria.
It should be noted that the percentage change in the utility comparison between 2017 and 2018, was based on calculations required by HUD and the percentage rate changes do not necessarily correlate directly to the percentage change a person would pay for utilities.
The overall impact of the new 2019 utility allowances for the average two-bedroom unit with mixed resources of gas and electric was a decrease to the total tenant portion and an increase to the Housing Assistance Payment. The all electric unit for the average two-bedroom unit saw no change in impact to the total tenant portion. Schedules are attached as Exhibit A.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on November 14, 2018 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on November 20, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Action on this item is requested on December 11, 2018, as the Housing Authority would like to implement the new utility allowance schedules on December 12, 2018.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no net fiscal impact to the City from the revised utility allowance schedules. Current appropriations in the Housing Authorit...
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