Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2024
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: ERIC LEVITT, CITY MANAGER
PREPARED BY: SUNAYANA THOMAS, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
LINDA CORDOVA, HOUSING CONSULTANT
SUBJECT: MOBILE HOME TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SUMMARY
Proposal to amend Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program from senior program to program to assist qualified mobile home tenants of all ages to address diverse housing needs within the mobile home community and assist individuals and families facing financial challenges in meeting rental obligations.
PROPOSED MOTION
Amend the TBRA program to assist tenants of all ages with priority to seniors (age 62 and above based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development definition of a senior).
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion.
No change and continue assisting seniors only
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The City Manager recommends approval. This will continue to serve seniors but also ensure that other individuals who meet the criteria are eligible.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
None.
FISCAL IMPACT
No expected program increases. Preapproved HOME funds would cover assistance for additional qualified tenants.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The HOME-funded program guidelines, approved by City Council in 2019, provide financial assistance to eligible low-income senior mobile homeowners who meet the following criteria:
Age and Homeownership Status
The resident must be a senior citizen aged 55 years or older, in alignment with the current age limit set by mobile home parks.
The resident must own a mobile home and be responsible for paying rent space.
Income Eligibility
The household must have a low income, defined as not exceeding 50% of the median income for the area, adjusted for family size as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Exclusion Criteria
The household cannot be receiving rental subsidies from other Federal, State, or local sources.
Additionally, the City established the following local priorities within the program:
Priority 1: High Rent Burden
Assistance will be prioritized for senior residents of mobile home parks who are paying over 50% of their monthly income for rent.
Applications are processed on a first come first serve basis within this priority group.
Priority 2: Moderate Rent Burden
Assistance is available for seniors who are paying more than 30% of their monthly income.
These priorities direct assistance to those facing the most significant financial burdens related to rent and address critical housing needs within the senior mobile home community.
Program Requirements:
• The Unit must be located within Fullerton city limits. • The Unit must be used for residence by Participant and no other purpose.
The Unit must be Participant’s primary residence.
Annual inspection of the unit is required to ensure compliance with Federally established Housing Quality Standards (HQS).
The participant must fulfill all obligations under the lease, including timely payment of rent. • The Participant will not commit fraud or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the Program. • The Participant will not engage in drug-related criminal activity or any other criminal activity. • The Participant will not sublease or assign the Unit or the Lease. • The Participant will not damage the Unit or premises (other than damage from ordinary wear and tear) or permit any guest to damage the Unit or premises. • The Participant will not engage in abuse of alcohol in a way that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the other residents and persons residing in the vicinity of the Unit. • The Participant will provide City a copy of any eviction notice or notice of default or any similar notice.
Landlord’s Requirements:
A one-year lease agreement between the landlord and tenant is mandatory.
The lease must include HUD/HOME required language specified in the HOME Lease Addendum.
The rental unit will undergo inspection by the City’s Housing Inspector to ensure compliance with housing quality standards, confirming the unit is decent, safe, and sanitary. cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Mobile Home Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program
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