CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
February 24, 2025
To: Honorable Chairperson and Governing Board of the City of Pomona Housing Authority From: Anita D. Scott, Executive Director
Submitted By: Beverly Johnson, Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF POMONA HOUSING AUTHORITY (PHA) TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD AND RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD), TOTALING $500,872 TO ASSIST HOMELESS VETERANS RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council, sitting as the Governing Board of the City of Pomona Housing Authority, take the following actions:
1) Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-30 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, SITTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE POMONA HOUSING AUTHORITY, APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A u.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (hud) PROGRAM GRANT AWARD, TO RECEIVE FUNDING TOTALING $500,872, AMENDING THE FY 2024-25 OPERATING BUDGET BY INCREASING REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATING funds in the amount of $162,957 2) Authorizing the City Manager, as the Executive Director of the Pomona Housing Authority, to execute the appropriate contracts and other documentation requested for acceptance of the award and operation of the above listed program to HUD, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On June 3, 2024, the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued Notice PIH 2024-18, announcing the availability of approximately $78 million in HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers to assist homeless veterans. These vouchers are administered in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and enable homeless veterans and their families to access affordable housing with an array of supportive services. On December 20, 2024, the PHA was notified that it was eligible to receive an award of thirty (30) VASH vouchers. The PHA is requesting approval to accept the award and amend the FY 2024-25 operating budget. The total grant award is $500,872.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $500 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $500 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-30 (Attachment No. 1) will amend the FY 2024-25 Operating Budget by increasing revenue estimates and appropriations as follows:
Program
Revenue Acct #
Appropriate ($)
Expenditure Acct #
Appropriate ($)
VASH Program
205-1791-40850-00000
$162,957
205-1791-52579-00000
$162,957
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On October 15, 2018, the City Council sitting as the Governing Board of the Pomona Housing Authority, adopted Resolution No. 2018-143, accepting thirty HUD-VASH vouchers in the amount of $278,098 to operate the Pomona HUD-VASH voucher program effective December 1, 2018.
DISCUSSION:
Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program funding has provided rental assistance under a supportive housing program for homeless veterans authorized by section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act) (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)). The initiative, known as the HUD-VASH program, was initially authorized by Division K, Title II, of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Pub. L. 110–161, approved December 26, 2007) (‘‘2008 Appropriation Act’’) (see proviso (7) under the heading ‘‘Tenant-Based Rental Assistance’’). Each annual HUD appropriation since FY 2008 has continued to authorize this program. The HUD-VASH program combines HCV rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the VA through its community medical centers. Since implementation of the program, ongoing VA case management, health, and other supportive services have been made available to homeless veterans at more than 300 VA Medical Center (VAMC) supportive services sites and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) across the nation. The HUD-VASH program is a key component of reducing homelessness among veterans outlined in the Administration’s Federal Strategy to Prevent and End Homelessness.
According to HUD, approximately 7% of the homeless adult population nationally is veterans and about 1.5 million other veterans are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing. California is home to nearly 1.8 million veterans, of which an estimated 11,400 are homeless. Within the City of Pomona, veterans make up 2.5% of the population of homeless adults. In 2008, a national campaign to end veterans’ homelessness was launched. The City hopes to help in this goal by committing to aligning resources that support these efforts. With that end in mind, the PHA applied for and received VASH vouchers. These vouchers are dedicated to help provide rental assistance to homeless veterans in need.
The VASH program is made possible through a collaboration with HUD, the VA, and local housing authorities. Within this collaboration, HUD provides program funds, the VA offers support services, and the housing authority provides the rental assistance with operational capacity. The VASH program is a referral-only program, where case managers at the local VAMC are responsible for referring eligible homeless veterans. The VASH program provides permanent housing assistance for eligible homeless veterans who are single or eligible homeless veterans with families.
Veterans who are appropriate candidates for this program must meet the criteria for case management services in order to obtain and sustain independent community housing. This means that those referred must be able to complete activities of daily living and live independently in the community with case management and supportive services. Most veterans referred to this program are not only homeless, but have serious mental illness, a substance use disorder history, and/or physical disability. Case management is the heart of the VASH program and is a requirement for participation. Eligible candidates are to utilize the supportive services, treatment recommendations, and assistance needed to maintain recovery and sustain housing in the community successfully.
For the City of Pomona’s VASH program, the Los Angeles VA will determine clinical eligibility and refer eligible homeless veterans to the Pomona Housing Authority (PHA). Once referred, the PHA will determine if the referral meets HUD’s requirements to receive assistance. If approved, the participant will pay 30% of their income towards the rent, and the program will pay the difference.
On August 27, 2024 the City of Pomona Housing Authority (PHA), with support from the Great Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, submitted the 2024 HUD-VASH Registration of Interest application and received an award of 30 VASH vouchers, bringing the total allocation of vouchers administered by the PHA to ninety (90).
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports the 2021-2022 City Council Goal J: Encourage the development and maintenance of quality housing opportunities for all, and Goal K: to reduce the unsheltered homeless population by 10% annually and take actions to mitigate the impacts of homelessness on the community.
Prepared by:
__________________________
Jobanna Castro
Housing Programs Supervisor
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2025-30
Authorize the Acceptance of a HUD Grant Award