AGENDA – REGULAR
HOUSING AUTHORITY
September 5, 2023
PAGE NO. 1
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
REDONDO BEACH HOUSING AUTHORITY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 - 6:00 P.M.
REDONDO BEACH COUNCIL CHAMBERS
415 DIAMOND STREET
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
A. APPROVAL OF ORDER OF AGENDA
B. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION
B1. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS
Blue folder items are additional back up material to administrative reports and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.
C. CONSENT CALENDAR #C1 through #C4
Business items, except those formally noticed for public hearing, or those pulled for discussion are assigned to the Consent Calendar. The Authority Members may request that any Consent Calendar item(s) be removed, discussed, and acted upon separately. Items removed from the Consent Calendar will be taken up under the “Excluded Consent Calendar” section below. Those items remaining on the Consent Calendar will be approved in one motion following Oral Communications.
C1. APPROVAL OF AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING for the Regular Housing Authority meeting of September 5, 2023.
C2. APPROVAL OF MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY and waive further reading of all Ordinances and Resolutions listed on the agenda.
C3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING:
A. June 6, 2023
C4. APPROVAL OF THE SIXTH (6TH) AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (LACDA) FOR THE HOMELESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM (HIP) FOR AN AMOUNT OF $33,666.00 TO EXTEND THE TERM TO 6/30/2024.
D. ..title EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
AGENDA – REGULAR
HOUSING AUTHORITY
September 5, 2023
PAGE NO. 2
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
This section is intended to provide members of the public with the opportunity to comment on any subject that does not appear on this agenda for action. This section is limited to 30 minutes. Each speaker will be afforded three minutes to address the Commission. Each speaker will be permitted to speak only once. Written requests, if any, will be considered first under this section.
F. EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
This section is intended to allow all officials the opportunity to reveal any disclosure or ex parte communication about the following public hearings.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS
H. OLD BUSINESS
I. NEW BUSINESS
I1. STATUS REPORT ON THE SECTION 8 AND FAIR HOUSING PROGRAMS Recommendation: That the Chairman and Authority members receive and file the status report on the Section 8 and Fair Housing Programs.
CONTACT: CAMERON HARDING, HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR
J. MEMBERS ITEMS AND REFERRALS TO STAFF
K. ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled meeting of the Redondo Beach Housing Authority is a Regular meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, California.
It is the intention of the City of Redondo Beach to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant of this meeting you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 318-0656 at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible. Please advise us at that time if you will need accommodations to attend or participate in meetings on a regular basis.
An Agenda Packet is available 24 hours a day at www.redondo.org under the City Clerk and during City Hall hours. Agenda Packets are also available for review in the Office of the City Clerk.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the members of the Authority regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Counter at City Hall located at 415 Diamond Street during normal business hours.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS
CITY OF REDONDO BEACH )
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
In compliance with the Brown Act, the following materials have been posted at the locations indicated below.
Legislative Body Redondo Beach Housing Authority
Posting Type Agenda – September 5, 2023 Regular Meeting Posting Locations 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 City Hall Kiosk
City Clerk’s Counter, Door “1”
Meeting Date & Time September 5, 2023 6:00 p.m.
As Housing Administrator of the City of Redondo Beach, I declare, under penalty of perjury, the document noted above was posted at the date displayed below.
Cameron Harding, Housing Administrator
Date: September 1, 2023
Community Services Department 1922 Artesia Boulevard
Redondo Beach, California 90278
www.redondo.org
tel: 310 318-0610
fax: 310 798-8273
MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY
And waive further reading of all
Ordinances and Resolutions listed on the Agenda.
Recommendation - Approve
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING HOUSING AUTHORITY
June 6, 2023
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Redondo Beach Housing Authority
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
6:00 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDONDO BEACH HOUSING AUTHORITY
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Vice Chair Nehrenheim called the Regular Meeting of the Redondo Beach Housing Authority (RBHA) to order at 6:22 p.m.
ROLL CALL
RBHA Members Present: Behrendt, Kaluderovic, Loewenstein, Obagi, Vice Chair Nehrenheim RBHA Members Absent: Lainez, Chair Brand
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Member Loewenstein, seconded by Member Kaluderovic, to approve the order of the agenda, as presented. There being no objections, Vice Chair Nehrenheim so ordered.
B. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION - None
B.1. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS - None
C. CONSENT CALENDAR #C1 through #C4
C1. APPROVAL OF AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING for the Regular Housing Authority meeting of June 6, 2023
C2. APPROVAL OF MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY and waive further reading of all Ordinances and Resolutions listed on the agenda
C3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING:
A. March 14, 2023
C4. APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE DATA SHARING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (EDD) AND THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH TO SUPPORT HOUSING AUTHORITY OPERATIONS FOR THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,944.26 FOR THE TERM OF JANUARY 1, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025 There were no public comments on the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Member Loewenstein, seconded by Member Kaluderovic, to approve the Consent Calendar, as presented. There being no objections, Vice Chair Nehrenheim so ordered.
D. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS - None
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING HOUSING AUTHORITY
June 6, 2023
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS - None
F. EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
H. OLD BUSINESS - None
I. NEW BUSINESS
I1. STATUS REPORT ON THE SECTION 8 AND FAIR HOUSING PROGRAMS Recommendation: That the Chairman and Authority members receive and file the status report on the Section 8 and Fair Housing Programs.
CONTACT: CAMERON HARDING, HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR
Housing Administrator Cameron Harding introduced the item and deferred to Housing Supervisor Angelica Zavala for a presentation who also provided an update on Moon Stone.
Discussion followed regarding the status of permits for Moon Stone, the length of the construction period, plans for the applicant to request an extension, making sure the City has everything in place so that when the applicant is ready to go, the City is ready to go, obstacles in finding landlords that will accept Section 8 housing, available incentives for veterans and reaching out to other South Bay cities to house veterans.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Member Obagi, seconded by Member Loewenstein, to receive and file the status report on the Section 8 and Fair Housing Programs. There being no objections, Vice Chair Nehrenheim so ordered.
J. MEMBERS ITEMS AND REFERRALS TO STAFF - None
K. ADJOURNMENT – 6:30 p.m.
Motion by Member Loewenstein, seconded by Member Obagi, to adjourn the regular meeting of the Redondo Beach Housing Authority at 6:30 p.m. to a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 6:00 p.m., in the Redondo Beach City Hall Council Chamber, 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, California. There being no objections, Mayor Pro Tem Nehrenheim so ordered.
All written comments submitted via eComment are included in the record and available for public review on the City website.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor Manzano, City Clerk
Council Action Date: September 5, 2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CAMERON HARDING, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
Subject: APPROVE THE SIXTH (6TH) AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT
WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(LACDA) FOR THE HOMELESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM (HIP) FOR AN AMOUNT OF $33,666.00 TO EXTEND THE TERM TO 6/30/2024.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the interagency agreement for the Homeless Incentive Program (HIP)- Amendment No.6.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In March 2017, through a Los Angeles County ballot Measure, voters approved Measure-H, a quarter cent ¼ sales tax to provide funding for new and enhanced services to address the homelessness issues throughout the County. Among other programs, the homeless prevention measure is expected to generate millions of dollars to help alleviate a portion of the financial burdens that occur when a homeless individual transition into housing in jurisdictions within the County of Los Angeles. Jurisdictions that receive Measure-H money will be able to use the HIP funding to further assist with homelessness issues and incentivize landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers from those families experiencing homelessness.
This interagency agreement with LACDA for the Homeless Incentive Program extends the term of the contract to June 30, 2024. The amount of funding under this agreement is not to exceed $33,666.
BACKGROUND
On March 6, 2018, the Redondo Beach City Council entered into an interagency agreement with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), formerly known as the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles. As such, The City of Redondo Beach Housing Authority pledged five (5) Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) towards HIP. The Housing Authority, participating in the HIP Program, will be offering financial incentives (up to $3,700) to landlords that house homeless individuals.
These incentives include but are not limited to, upfront payment for the first and last month’s rent, security deposit, utility assistance, damage claims (not to exceed $2000, after security deposit is exhausted) and essential furniture and appliances.
Administrative Report
Administrative Report September 5, 2023
Interagency Agreement-LACDA HIP-Amendment No. 6
On September 6, 2018, the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) - HIP program met with several cities including the City of Redondo Beach Housing Authority in an effort to work collaboratively to help eliminate homelessness across Los Angeles County. Several cities are participating, including Pomona, Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Long Beach and the City of Los Angeles.
FUNDING
Funding for this interagency agreement will be solely supported by Measure-H funds from LACDA. Additionally, LACDA has agreed to provide administrative fees, not to exceed 10% of the incentive funding. The amount of funding under this agreement is not to exceed $33,666.
COORDINATION
The Housing Division prepared this item and the Interagency Agreement has been approved by the City Attorney's office and LACDA’s County Counsel.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Homeless Incentive Program is funded solely with grant monies from the County of Los Angeles. City funds are not used for the Interagency Agreement.
Submitted by: Approved for forwarding by:
Cameron Harding, Community Services Director Mike Witzansky, City Manager Attachments:
• Interagency Agreement-Amendment No.6
AGREEMENT AtI'ENDMENT NO. 6
TO
THE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT FOR
THE HOMELESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO THE AGREEMENT is made and entered into this sth day of September 2023, by and between the Los Angeles County Development Authority, hereinafter referred to as "LACDA" and the City of Redondo Beach, hereinafter refered to as the "PHA'. The LACDA and PHA are collectively referred to as the "Parties." WTNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, on June 13, 2017, the Board of Supervisors ("Board") acting as the Board of Commissioners of LACDA authorized the Executive Director, or his designee, to execute agreemenls and subsequent amendments with the County of Los Angeles ("County") required to implement Homeless lnitiative strategies including the Homeless lncentive Program;
WHEREAS, on April 18, 2018, the Parties entered into this lnteragency Agreement ("Agreement') to provide Measure H funds to the PHA for a Homeless lncentive Program; WHEREAS, on May 15, 2018, the Board approved funding allocations for each of the Measure H eligible Homeless lnitiative strategies that included an allocation to LACDA for Strategy 84;
WHEREAS, LACDA received Homeless lnitiative, Strategy 84 Funding (the "Funding") for Fiscal Year 20'18-2019 from the County to assist a total of 2,679 homeless families;
WHEREAS, representatives of the Parties agreed that it would be mulually beneticial to amend the Agreement to reflect the Funding for Fiscal Year 20'18-20'19; WHEREAS, on November 16, 2018, the Parties entered into Amendmenl No. 1 to the Agreement to revise the amount offunding under Section 2 of the Agreement; WHEREAS, on May 16, 2019, the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles ("Housin9 Authority") dissolved as a separate legal entity and merged with the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles ("Commission"); WHEREAS, as a result of the merger, the Commission took title to the Housing Authority's property, debts, demands, liabilities, and obligations; I
WHEREAS, following the merger, the Commission is now known as the Los Angeles County Development Authority;
WHEREAS, representatives of the Parties agreed that it would be mutually beneficial to amend the Agreement to reflect the Funding for FiscalYeat 20l9-2O2Oi WHEREAS, on April 27, 2020, the Parties entered into Amendment No.2 to the Agreement to revise the amount of funding under Section 2 of the Agreement; WHEREAS, on October 26, 2020, the Parties entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Agreemenl to revise the amount of funding under Section 2 of the Agreement; WHEREAS, on August 1, 2021, the Parties entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement to revise the amount of funding under Section 2 of the Agreement; WHEREAS, on Augusl 1, 2022, the Parties entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Agreement to revise the amount offunding under Section 2 of the Agreement; WHEREAS, on February 7,2023,the Boatd approved tunding allocations for Measure H eligible Homeless lnitiative stralegies that included an allocation to LACDA for Strateqy 84 (the "Funding") for July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024; WHEREAS, it is the intent ofthe Parties hereto to amend the Agreement to update certain terms and conditions to the Agreement, and to provide for other changes set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, representatives of Parties agree that it would be mutually benelicial to amend this Agreement to reflect the Funding for FiscalYear 2023-2024; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual undertakings, herein, the Parties hereto agree that said Agreement be amended as follows:
'1. Section 2. Fundinq. is deleted in its entiretv and reolaced bv the followino:
2. FUNDING
The amount of funding under this Agreement shall not exceed $33,666 for July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, which shall include all related expenses including administrative fees of 10%. On a quarterly basis, no later than the 22nd of the month following the end of the quarter, or upon request, the PHA shall provide LACDA with a list of its expenditures related to the funding.
All other terms and conditions in the Agreement shall remain the same and in full force and effect.
2 SIGNATURES
lN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the LACDA, and PHA, through their duly authorized officers, have executed this Amendment No. 6, as of the date first above written.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH
Emilio Salas
Executive Director
Tracie Mann
Chief of Programs
APPROVED AS TO PROGRAM:
HOUSING ASSISTANCE DIVISION
By
Aletheia Broom
Director
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DAWYN R. HARRISON
County Counsel
William C. Brand
Mayor
Eleanor Manzano
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
MICHAEL W. WEBB
City Attorney
t'J
Elizabeth Pennington
Deputy County Counsel
3 Rrr
Bv
Michael W. Webb
City Attomey
Flv
Authority Action Date: September 5, 2023
To: CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
From: CAMERON HARDING, HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR
Subject: STATUS REPORT ON THE SECTION 8 AND FAIR HOUSING
PROGRAMS
URECOMMENDATION
Receive and file a quarterly status report on the Section 8 and Fair Housing Programs.
UEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Redondo Beach Housing Authority (RBHA) receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to operate the Section 8 Program. Section 8 is a rent assistance program that enables very low-income persons to live in decent, safe and sanitary, privately-owned housing. Tenants in Redondo Beach select their own rental housing per program guidelines. This report includes information regarding Housing Authority activity for the months of June, July, and August of 2023.
The Redondo Beach Housing Authority continues to operate the Section 8 Program within its available resources. On March 30, 2023, the RBHA received its Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Renewal Funding Allocation notice from HUD. The CY 2023 allocation fully funded the Redondo Beach housing assistance contracts for CY 2023. On August 1, 2023, RBHA received notification from the Los Angeles Community Development Authority (LACDA) of continued funding of the Homeless Incentive Program for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. The amount of funding under this agreement is not to exceed $33,666.
Consistent with HUD guidelines and current funding levels, the Housing Authority’s goal is to backfill vacant voucher slots as they become available through attrition and/or terminations. The vacant slots would be filled by families who are on the Redondo Beach Section 8 waiting list. There are approximately 1,151 families currently on the Redondo Beach Section 8 waiting list.
Administrative Report
Administrative Report September 5, 2023
Status Report on the Section 8 Program
U
BACKGROUND
SSection 8 Program Activity
The Housing Authority is currently assisting 425 households under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Of those households, approximately 325 are headed by elderly and/or disabled persons; the remaining 100 are families headed by non-elderly, non-disabled persons.
During the months of June, July, and August of 2023, the Housing Authority executed 10 new contracts. The Housing Authority also renewed 124 leases. Seven (7) tenants moved out of their rent assistance units and are permanently off the program. During this reporting quarter, the Housing Authority spent $1,712,144 on housing assistance payments. The average per-unit client rent subsidy for this period was $1,364/month.
The Housing Authority’s goal, as outlined in the 5-year and 1-year agency plans, is to assist an average of approximately 633 families. Attainment of this goal is affected by available units, market pricing and participating landlords.
The Housing Authority’s attrition rate is approximately two to three vouchers per month.
The Housing Authority has resumed conducting in-person eligibility interviews for families who are on the Section 8 waiting list. There are approximately 1,151 families on the Redondo Beach Section 8 waiting list.
UHUD-VASH Vouchers
Veterans experiencing homelessness are referred to the HA by the Veteran’s Affairs office. RBHA has a total of 36 veterans housed in Redondo Beach under the HUD-VASH program. The goal of RBHA is to utilize all 40 VASH vouchers allocated to the city. The renewal of these vouchers is included in the overall program funding for CY 2023.
USection 8 Funding
U
Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) are comprised of HUD monies provided to the Redondo Beach Housing Authority for rental assistance payments made to landlords on behalf of qualifying Section 8 program participants.
In March of 2023, HUD notified the Housing Authority that it would receive $7,006,213 in HAP funding for CY 2023 (this is the total funding for the HCV and VASH Program). For comparison purposes, the Housing Authority received $6,650,684 for CY 2022.
In March of 2023, HUD also provided its determination of the RBHA administrative fee.
For FY 23-24, the administrative fee, subject to proration, was set at $138.05 per unit Administrative Report September 5, 2023
Status Report on the Section 8 Program
leased. In comparison, the Housing Authority received approximately $120.59 per unit leased in CY 2022.
The RBHA will continue to administer the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program.
The Housing Authority receives full funding plus ongoing administrative fee funding to administer up to 29 Emergency Housing Vouchers. EHV eligible recipients are individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness; at risk of experiencing homelessness; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or were recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability. RBHA has partnered with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, LAHSA, for program support and family referrals. The EHV Vouchers will be administered under the City’s Housing Choice Voucher Program policies and procedures. Families accepted through the EHV program will be subject to the same criminal background and income eligibility screening as families accepted through the waiting list. Additionally, EHV families will be responsible for complying with the same program rules and federal regulations to maintain their housing assistance. On February 16, 2022, the RBHA entered into an interagency agreement with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) for the administration of the Emergency Housing Voucher Program. Whereas voucher holders could only look for housing within the issuing Housing Authority’s jurisdiction, this interagency agreement will allow EHV voucher holders to secure housing anywhere within the Los Angeles County area where their housing voucher is accepted. Year to date (YTD), the RBHA has received a total of 41 referrals from LAHSA and has leased 14 EHV families in Redondo Beach.
Payment Standards
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires Housing Authorities to establish a payment standard in the “basic” approvable range 90%-110% of the published fair market rent (FMR) for Los Angeles County. The basic range complies with section 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 982.503 and Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Notice 2002-20. Rental rates and rent increases continue to burden many of our low-income families that live in subsidized rental units under the Section 8 program.
On August 4, 2023, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) granted RBHA an exception payment standard for the HUD-VASH voucher program. Effective March 1, 2023 the VASH payment standards for RBHA were increased to 160% of the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 Fair Market Rents. Once HUD publishes the FY2024 FMRs, the RBHA now has authorization to set the HUD-VASH payment standard between 111% to 160% of the 2024 FMRs. This increase in payment standard will enable veterans to competitively search and secure housing throughout Los Angeles County.
The Housing Authority reviews and updates its payment standards for the Section 8 rental assistance program on an annual basis or as needed. The payment standards are Administrative Report September 5, 2023
Status Report on the Section 8 Program
updated to reflect current rental market conditions to offer Section 8 families greater housing choices. Effective March 1, 2023 RBHA’s payment standards for the HCV (Housing Choice Voucher Program) and the EHV (Emergency Housing Voucher Program) were increased to 95% of the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022 Small Area Fair Market Rents.
Payment standards for the HCV, VASH, and EHV programs had been last increased in May 2022. The following Payment Standards became effective March 1, 2023:
Section 8 Staff
The Housing Authority staff consists of 3 full-time and 2 part-time personnel who manage section 8 client files, interview program candidates from the waiting list, perform housing inspections, provide customer service, and submit required information to HUD.
Section 8 Waiting List
The Section 8 waiting list has been closed to new enrollees since September 2015. This strategy is consistent with funding, the agency’s 5-year plan, and the discretionary authority granted to the Redondo Beach Housing Authority (RBHA). In January 2023 the HCV Section 8 waiting list was purged. Applicants who failed to reply or indicate continued interest were removed from the waiting list. There are now approximately 1,151 families left on the Redondo Beach Section 8 waiting list. The goal for the waiting list is to maintain an active pool of approximately 1,000 applicants at all times. Preference on the waiting list is given to Redondo Beach residents and to persons who work in Redondo Beach. Priority is also given to the Elderly, Disabled, Families (2 or more people in a household), honorably discharged Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and individuals experiencing homelessness.
90277 90278 VASH (for both Zip Codes)
0 Bedroom $1,995 $1,843 $2,046
1 Bedroom $2,271 $2,100 $2,427
2 Bedroom $2,888 $2,670 $3,130
3 Bedroom $3,753 $3,468 $4,182
4 Bedroom $4,123 $3,810 $4,571
Administrative Report September 5, 2023
Status Report on the Section 8 Program
Section 8 waiting list applicants that wish to check their status on the waiting list are encouraged to visit 27TUwww.waitlistcheck.comU27T or call (855) 361-9512.
Fair Housing Program
The Housing Authority continues to refer customers who need fair housing assistance to the Housing Rights Center, an agency partially funded by the City’s CDBG Program.
Persons needing assistance can contact the Housing Rights Center at (800) 477-5977.
Their services include housing discrimination investigations, landlord/tenant mediation and counseling services.
COORDINATION
This report was prepared by the Housing Division of the Community Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Section 8 Program is funded solely with grant monies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Housing Authority’s proposed FY 2023-24 revenues and expenditures are detailed below.
Revenue (HUD) Expenditures
Housing Assistance Payments $6,926,011 Personnel $381,550 Administration $696,228 M & O $6,892,354
ISF/Overhead $267,211
Total: $7,622,239 Total: $7,541,115
Any unexpended administrative funds are advanced to the administrative reserve account.
Submitted by: Approved for forwarding by:
Cameron Harding, Housing Administrator Mike Witzansky, City Manager azavala
Attachments:
August 2023 LA County HUD-VASH Exception Payment Standard Notification Letter PowerPoint presentation
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON, DC 20410-5000
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FOR PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING
www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov
August 04, 2023
Ms. Meena Bavan
Director, Office of Public Housing, 9DPH
Los Angeles Field Office
300 North Los Angeles St, Suite 4054
Los Angeles, CA 90012-3308
Dear Ms. Bavan:
This correspondence responds to your letter in which the Los Angeles Office of Public Housing (LAOPH), on behalf of the nine (9) collaborating LA County Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) listed below, is seeking an update to the previously-approved Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regulatory Waiver Request dated March 26, 2020 (attached), which permitted the establishment of Exception Payment Standards (EPS) for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program to be set at between 111% to 160% of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Fair Market Rents (FMRs).
Your letter notes that the list below includes the seven (7) PHAs originally included in the 2020 Wavier, as well as two (2) additional HUD-VASH LA County PHAs that were not previously part of the request.
List of Collaborating PHAs:
CA002 - Los Angeles County Development Authority
CA004 - Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
CA068 - Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach
CA079 - Housing Authority of the City of Pasadena
CA103 - Housing Authority of the City of Redondo Beach
CA105 - Housing Authority of the City of Burbank
CA114 - Housing Authority of the City of Glendale
CA111 – Santa Monica Housing Authority (new)
CA121 – Housing Authority of the City of Torrance (new) The listed PHAs are requesting permission for the continued application of the 2020 waiver, which waived:
• 24 CFR § 982.503(c)(3) to permit the coordinated establishment of exception payment standards (EPS) for the HUD-VASH program;
• 24 CFR §982.503(c)(4) which would allow PHAs to apply the approved HUD-VASH EPS to HUD-VASH assisted families at a PHA initiated interim reexamination, rather than delaying until the families first regularly scheduled reexamination; and 2 • 24 CFR § 982.503(a)(3) to establish HUD-VASH specific payment standards at each PHA, which is no longer needed due to the update to the HUD-VASH Operating Requirements published September 2021.
Furthermore, in the interest of more successful HUD-VASH leasing throughout the LA County these PHAs are also requesting that HUD update the March 2020 HUD waiver approval to reflect the FY 2023 FMRs. In your letter, you assert that amending the March 2020 HUDapproved Regulatory Waiver to reflect the 2023 FMRs would help HUD-VASH voucher holders to be competitive with present rental market conditions in LA County and would, in turn, provide immediate rent relief for veteran households currently rent burdened and reduce housing instability for this vulnerable population.
The Implementation of the HUD-VASH Program (Operating Requirements) published in the Federal Register on September 27, 2021, specifically states in Section II that “a PHA may request additional statutory or regulatory waivers that it determines are necessary for the effective delivery and administration of the program. These requests may be submitted to the Secretary for review and decision through the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing through the regular waiver process.” Based on your letter, and the letters from the respective PHAs, I believe that extending and updating these waivers to support this collaboration will assist LA County’s efforts to utilize HUD-VASH vouchers and end veteran homelessness. This letter will serve as an update to the prior waiver approval – the above listed LA County PHAs may set HUD-VASH payment standards at between 111% to 160% percent of the Fiscal Year 2023 FMR. HUD will soon publish Fiscal Year 2024 FMRs. When these new 2024 FMRs go into effect, the LA County PHAs covered by this waiver update may set HUD-VASH payment standards at between 111% to 160% percent of the 2024 FMRs without further approval from HUD.
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Molly Allen, Senior Housing Programs Specialist, Housing Voucher Management and Operations Division, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Richard J. Monocchio
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Office of Public and Indian Housing
September 5, 2023
Total Program
Participants
425
• Current goal as outlined in
the 5 year and 1 year
agency plans is 633
• Challenge to reach goal
includes rising rents, low
vacancy, negative
stereotypes about the
program and landlord
participation
Seniors/Disabled
325
Families
100
Current Section 8 Families
by Household Type
New Contracts 10
Renewed Leases 124
Moved/Permanently off 7
Average Monthly Housing Payment $1,364
Total Housing Payments $1,712,144
CY 2023 Funding
Award Letter
Received in March
of 2023
HCV and VASH
Program are Fully
Funded
HAP for 2023 allocation:
$7,006,216
(CY 2022 was $6,650,684)
Administrative Fee
for 2023:
$138.05 per unit
leased
(FY 2022 was $120.59)
Emergency
Housing Voucher
Program (EHV)
29 Vouchers Allocated
14 Families Housed
EHV Fully Funded,
$353,004
HUD-VASH Permanent Housing for Homeless
Veterans
RBHA has a total of 36 veterans
housed in Redondo Beach under the
HUD-VASH program. The goal of RBHA
is to utilize all 50 VASH vouchers
allocated to the city
With authorization from HUD DC,
RBHA increased the VASH payment
standard to 160% of the FY 2023
FMR
An increase in payment standards will
enable our Veterans to competitively
search and secure housing
RBHA
Purpose; Maintain an active pool of qualified applicants for the Section 8 program and comply with HUD’s rules and
regulations
The Section 8 waiting list contains approximately 1,151 families and was last opened in September 2015
Applicants who want to check their status on the waiting list should call (855) 361-9512 or visit www.waitlistcheck.com.
Housing Rights Center
Hotline (800) 477-5977
[email protected]
www.housingrightscenter.org/help
Discrimination Investigations
Mediation
Counseling
Outreach and Education
Receive and file a status report on the Redondo
Beach Section 8 and Fair Housing Programs.