Attachment No. 6
CITY OF POMONA HOUSING AUTHORITY
RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD (RAB) COMMENTS RECEIVED AND RESPONSE TO
PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY
FY 2023-2024 ANNUAL PLAN
BACKGROUND
The “ Quality Housing Work Responsibility Act of 1998” (QHWRA) contains a provision whereby a Housing Agency must submit an Annual Plan. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published the Annual Plan final rule on October 21, 1998. The rule was effective on November 22, 1999. The Annual Plan has two elements, a Five -Year Plan and an Annual Plan which includes the Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement . The Annual Plan submission process is a continuing planning process. The Pomona Housing Authority (PHA) must submit an Annual Plan every year. Program participants and the public have an opportunity for input before each submission to HUD.
As part of the PHA’s outreach efforts, 200-program participant received invitation letters to participate in the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) in 20 23. Nine (9) program participants responded. The PHA held an in-person and virtual meeting on January 25 , 20 23 to di scuss proposed FY 20 23-2024 changes and or service improvements. Comments came during the RAB scheduled meeting. Comments received are addressed below. The PHA thanks the FY 2023-2024 RAB members for their comments and playing an important role in the d evelopment of the PHA’s Annual Plan process.
PURSUANT TO CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS:
Resident participation in the Five -Year and Annual Plan process Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provisions is as follows:
1. Section 903.13, (a) states: “…The r ole of the Resident Advisory Board…is to participate in the PHA planning process and to assist and make recommendations regarding the PHA plans.”
2. Section 903.13, (c) states: “The PHA must consider the recommendations of the Resident Advisory Board or Boards in preparing the final Five-Year and Annual Plan.
In submitting the final plan to HUD for approval, the PHA must include a copy of the recommendations made by the Board or Boards and a description of the manner in which the PHA addressed these recommendations.”
3. Section 903.17 sets forth the public notification requirements: The Board of Commissioners “must conduct a public hearing to discuss the PHA plan…and invite public comment on the plan(s). The hearing must be conducted at a location that is convenient to the residents served by the PHA”.
The regulations also states that no later than 45 days before the public hearing is to take place, the PHA must:
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4. Make the proposed plan(s) and all information relevant to the public hearing to be conducted available for inspection by the public at the principal office of the PHA during normal business hours; and
5. Publish a notice informing the public that the information is available for review and inspection, and that a public hearing will take p lace on the plan, and the date, tim e, and location of the hearing.
ANNUAL PLAN PUBLIC PROCESS
The PHA has made the Annual Plan submission and its approval process a public process. The PHA proved to go beyond the HUD requirements.
The PHA complied with regulations, its process included:
1. Final RAB members formed o n January 25, 2023 to participate in the PHA planning process.
2. Considered recommendations and comments from participants, the public, and the Resident Advisory Board(s) in the development of the Final Annual Plan
3. Published a Notice in local newspapers that the Annual Plan Draft was available for inspection at 505 S. Garey Ave. between the hours of 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM a. PHA Published Notices regarding the Annual Pl an Draft and the Public Hearing in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on February 3, 2023. b. Annual Plan Draft copies made available at the PHA main administrative office c. Annual Plan Draft copies provided to all RAB members at RAB meetings d. Assembled documentation relevant to the non -required sections of the Annual Plan and made it available for public inspection at PHA main administrative office effective February 3, 2023.
4. Published a Notice regarding the Public Hearing and invited public comment a. Published Notices regarding Public Hearing in: the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
5. Conducted a Public Hearing on the Annual Plan Draft a. The PHA Board of Commissioners conducted a Public Hearing regarding the Annual Plan Draft on March 20, 2 023. The Public Hearing was not adjourned until everyone present who wished to make comments had the opportunity to speak.
6. The PHA considered all comments from the Public Hearing and the Resident Advisory Board, in drafting the Final Annual Plan.
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COMMENTS ON THE PHA DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN
During the 45-day Annual Plan comment period, the PHA welcomed oral and writte n comments on the Plan Draft
Written comments on the Plan Draft were to be received at the PHA’s main administrative office.
Oral comments on the Annual Plan Draft were recorded via pen and paper notes during RAB Annual Plan-related meeting held January 25, 2023 . RAB meeting w as held during this period in-person and virtually via gotomeeting.com. 2022-2023 RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD (RAB) MEMBERS
Calvillo, Andrea
Delaney, Suzanne
Jackson, Vergil
Jaime, Maria D
Muniz, Margie
Perez, Mary Lou
Sanchez, Angelina
Weaver, Glennis
Wheeler, Darlene
COMMENTS MADE BY RAB MEMBERS AND PHA RESPONSE:
Housing Needs
Comment: The PHA needs to limit contract rent increases.
PHA response: The PHA limits contract rent increases to one contract increase per year and ensure that the increase reasonable and comparable to unassisted units in the area. In addition, the City of Pomona passed Urgency Ordinance No. 4320 establishing an urgency rent control measure, prohibiting rent increases in excess of 4% above monthly rent effective on August 1, 2022. Although Housing Choice Voucher program participants are exempt from the Ordinance, the Ordinance will assist in stabilizing rents in the area.
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Comment: The PHA needs to be more involved in Tenant/Landlord disputes and concerns, such as delayed response time from landlords/property management company staff in safety, security concerns, and maintenance requests.
PHA response: The City of Pomona collaborates with organizations that provide legal assistance and mediation services. Currently, there is a legal aid representative at City Hall who provides legal assistance to Pomona residents. In addition, the City is assessing the need to create a staff position that handle tenant/landlord disputes for City residents and property owners.
Comment: The PHA should provide financial assistance for moving costs including fees for applications.
PHA response: The PHA is creating a program to assist with the moving costs to reduce the financial burden caused by moving into a new unit. In addition, the PHA, in partnership with non-profit agencies provide financial assistance to assist with moving costs to Pomona residents.
Comment: The PHA needs to provide updated unit listings to program participants since the list is outdated and many of the units are no longer available.
PHA response: The PHA will review the contact information for the unit listings sheet provided to the public; ensure the contact information is current and up to date. In addition, there are several websites that provide unit listings that will be added to the list.
RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD OVERALL SERVICE SATISFACTIONS
Employee Service
Comments:
Members expressed their gratitude in the opportunity to share their input on the administration of the program. They all wished others would take the same interest in participating in the public process. It was suggested that the PHA send out surveys to gather input since participant was low.
PHA response: Thank you for your time. Your presence in these meetings indicates your desire to be involved in the process of keeping the program’s integrity and efficiency of service. We will continue giving the best service to all the HCV participants. The PHA staff makes every effort to deliver exceptional service. Your suggest ions are extremely important and taken into consideration for future services provided to program participants. We only request for your added patience and understanding. As always, we strongly suggest you submit any concerns in writing. Your case managers are always here to help with any questions.
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SUMMARY OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The PHA provided the public opportunities for input on the proposed programs and activities as follows:
Plan Development
As part of the outreach efforts by the PHA, 200-program participants received invitation letters to participate in the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) in 20 23. Nine (9) program participants responded.
Public Hearing and/or Meetings
One (1 ) RAB in-person and virtual meeting to a ddress participants’ ne eds. The meeting was held before the Annual Plan Draft was completed and subsequently adopted.
Public Notification
Published Notices regarding the Draft Annual Plan and the Public Hearing date published in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on February 3, 2023
Access to Information/Availability to the Public
As required by Code of Federal Regulations the PHA assembled documentation relevant to the non-required sections of the Annual Plan and made it available for public inspection at PHA main administrative office effective February 3, 2023.
The PHA Board of Commissioners conducted a Public Hearing regarding the Draft Annual Plan on March 20, 2023. The Public Hearing adjourned until everyone present who wished to make comments had the opportunity to speak.
Comments Received During 45-Day Comment Period
The PHA did not receive any formal written comments during the 45-day comment period or any time thereafter, prior to the submission of the FY 2023-2024 Annual Plan. The PHA will continue to engage its stakeholders through comment periods in the future so that policies and procedures reflect the needs of the entire community.
The PHA’s objective is to provide affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing for eligible very low and extremely low-income families and individuals.
PHA comments:
1. The PHA opened its HCV waiting list in May 2021 and received 6,123 applications. The HCV waiting list currently consists of 2206 total applicants.
2. Reasonable accommodations apply t o all activities of the PHA in accordance with Federal law. In addition, the PHA Administrative Plan, Section 2, states its right and ability to, at its sole discretion, consider all circumstances surrounding a case when making a determination regarding termination or denial.