City Council
Housing Authority
Report
City Council Meeting: April 12, 2022
Agenda Item: 3.I
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To: Housing Authority, Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director, Community Services Department, Housing and Human Services
Subject: Adoption of Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Santa Monica Public Housing Authority Annual Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Housing Authority Board:
1. Adopt the FY2022-2023 Santa Monica Housing Authority Annual Plan, provided as Attachment A.
2. Authorize the submission of the FY2021-2023 Annual Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Summary
The Santa Monica Housing Authority (SMHA) administers approximately 1,600 rental assistance vouchers to extremely low-, very low-, and low-income Santa Monica households through five federal housing programs:
• Housing Choice Voucher
• Continuum of Care
• HOME Investment Partnerships Program
• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
• Emergency Housing Voucher
Each year, SMHA is required to submit an Annual Plan and progress report to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to inform the agency, voucher participants, and members of the public of any updates to the authority’s mission, goals, 2 of 4
and objectives. This year, SMHA is not proposing any changes to the current Administrative Plan.
Discussion
The SMHA’s mission mirrors that of HUD’s, which is to promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity, and a suitable living environment free from discrimination. Each of SMHA’s goals and objectives is listed in the 5-Year Plan Progress Report as part of the FY 2022-23 Annual Plan submission (Attachment A).
The SMHA operates in accordance with the rules and regulations detailed in its Administrative Plan, which is a combination of federally established regulations and local policies and procedures.
On October 13, 2020, Council approved SMHA’s Public Housing Authority (PHA) Plan, which included the agency’s 5-Year Plan and FY 2020-21 Annual Plan. The PHA Plan, consisting of an agency’s 5-Year Plan and Annual Plan, is a comprehensive guide that details the operations and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. SMHA is required to submit an Annual Plan each subsequent year that identifies any discretionary policy changes made to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) section of the Administrative Plan and tracks progress made towards the goals identified in the 5-Year Plan. Each SMHA HUD-funded voucher program has its own set of requirements for performance reporting, and the Annual Plan is for policy and progress updates for the HCV program. Specifically, SMHA prepares and submits a Streamlined Annual Plan due to its “voucher only” designation. The designation is reserved for a PHA that administers more than 550 HCVs, does not own or manage public housing, and was not designated as troubled in its most recent Section Eight Management Assessment Program performance assessment.
The FY 2022-23 Annual Plan reinforces all provisions set forth in the FY 2021-22 Annual Plan with no additional updates or modifications. Progress highlights for the FY 2021-22 period include:
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• Two City-funded affordable housing developments totaling 79 apartments were completed, which provided new opportunities for voucher participants. • One permanent supportive housing development targeting persons experiencing homelessness has received its City housing trust fund financing commitment, State of California Tax Credit Allocation Committee funding commitment, and land use and design approvals, and will be starting construction in June 2022.
The SMHA has allocated 57 project-based vouchers to this pending development.
• SMHA increased voucher utilization by 59 vouchers and, from July 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022, SMHA issued 261 vouchers among the various programs it administers.
• On May 1, 2020, SMHA opened waitlists for the HCV and Below Market Housing (BMH) programs. As of January 2022, BMH has referred 1,293 unique households to 121 affordable housing vacancies.
• SMHA implemented waivers and alternative requirements allowed by HUD to continue operating and providing critical housing services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Input
The proposed Annual Plan requires a 45-day public comment period and subsequent approval by the Housing Authority Board (i.e., City Council). Although SMHA is not proposing any changes to the current Administrative Plan, City staff welcomed public input during the public review period regarding the Administrative Plan as well. City staff solicited input from the Resident Advisory Board (RAB), voucher participants, affordable housing advocates, and the general public via direct mail, email outreach, and website posting. Both documents were available for public comment from January 31, 2022, through March 17, 2022. No public comments regarding proposed changes for the Annual Plan or Administrative Plan were received during the public comment period; however, two program participants communicated their appreciation for being included in the RAB.
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The proposed Annual Plan was also reviewed by the Housing Commission at its March 17, 2022 meeting. The Housing Commission did not discuss the item or make a recommendation during the meeting. The deadline to submit the Annual Plan is April 17, 2022.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
4/27/21
(Attachment C, D)
Council adoption of FY21-22 SMHA Annual and
Administrative Plans
10/13/20
(Attachment E)
Council adoption of FY20-25 SMHA Public Housing
Authority Plan (Includes FY20-25 SMHA 5-Year Plan and
FY20-21 Annual Plan)
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
If approved, there is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action.
Prepared By: Claudia Kompa, Executive Administrative Assistant Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Draft FY22-23 Santa Monica Housing Authority Annual Plan B. FY21-22 Santa Monica Housing Authority Annual Plan
C. FY21-22 Santa Monica Housing Authority Administrative Plan D. FY20-25 Santa Monica Housing Authority Public Housing Authority Plan E. Written Comment