ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D2
Prepared by: Jonathan Lung, Housing & Homeless Svcs Div. Mgr Meeting Date: April 28, 2026 Approved by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion
SUBJECT: SENIOR RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM PARAMETERS
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss and receive recommendations from the Senior Citizens Affairs Commission regarding Senior Rental Subsidy Program eligibility parameters and provide direction to staff regarding a Request for Proposals.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Homelessness & Housing.
PRIOR ACTION: On February 24, 2026, directed staff to take the senior rental subsidy program parameters, with the City Council recommendations (City of Vista resident, 30% or lower AMI, age 70 and older, with a disability), to the Senior Commission for input (No Vote).
On November 12, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-191, amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27, and amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26 as amended by City Council (Vote: 5-0).
PRIOR SENIOR CITIZENS AFFAIRS COMMISSION ACTION: On March 18, 2026, recommendation to accept proposal as presented as a pilot program, have staff discuss concerns raised by Senior Citizens Affairs Commission, market program, identify eligible population, and identify developers for the brick and mortar, and continue to make recommendations for future funding after initial funding is exhausted (Vote: 5- 0-1, Bramwell abstained).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: On November 12, 2025, the City Council appropriated $500,000 from Fiscal Year 2024-2025 year end fund balance for a Senior Housing Subsidy program.
On February 24, 2026, staff presented a proposed Senior Housing Subsidy Program to help pay rent and other housing-related expenses for Vista seniors with low income, experiencing a housing crisis, and at risk of homelessness. The Program was proposed to provide $250, $500, $750, or $1,000 per month towards rent on behalf of eligible households, depending on applicant circumstances. The Program was also proposed to provide case management and assist with housing-related expenses, such as past-due rent and past-due utilities, depending on the household’s need. These payments were to be made directly to the landlord or utility company. Enrolled clients could receive assistance for up to 24 months.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Discussed the senior Rental Subsidy Program and provided direction to staff regardingeligibility parameters and Request for Proposals.Vote: 4-1, Franklin Opposed
MEETING DATE: April 28, 2026
PAGE 2
SUBJECT: SENIOR RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM PARAMETERS
The objective of the program is to assist households with achieving long-term housing stability after the conclusion of rental subsidy, measured by households spending no more than 60 percent of household income towards rent. To achieve housing stability, program staff would work with participants to stabilize housing by finding ways to increase income and decrease household costs to make their current unit more affordable and, if that is not possible, identifying alternative, more affordable housing units which program staff will assist with accessing.
Staff proposed the eligibility criteria for a Senior Housing Subsidy Program to include:
•Must be a leaseholder and live in a rental unit with a Vista mailing address. •Households with a head of household who is a senior or who has a dependent senior. o For purposes of this program, a senior is defined as 55 years or older. •Households spending more than 60 percent of the gross income on housing in Vista. •After the rent subsidy is applied, the household cannot spend more than 80 percent of its income on rent.
•No alternative housing options.
•Lack the money and support network to resolve their housing crisis. •Household income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) applied to Vista. •Assets such as bank accounts or retirement savings that total less than $2,000. •Do not currently receive ongoing rental assistance from another program.
The City Council discussed the proposed program and proposed the eligibility criteria be adjusted as follows:
•Must be a leaseholder and live in a rental unit within Vista city limits. •Senior defined as 70 years or older.
•Household income is at or below 30 percent of the AMI applied to Vista. •Must have a disability.
Following the discussion, the City Council directed staff to present the eligibility criteria for the Senior Citizens Affairs Commission’s input, and staff presented the criteria at their March 18th meeting. The Senior Commission voted 5-0-1 (Bramwell abstained) to accept the City Council’s eligibility criteria as a pilot program, to market the program, and consider eligible populations based on the results of the pilot program once initial funding is exhausted.
Staff recommend City Council direct staff to publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit an administrator for a Senior Rental Subsidy Program using the discussed parameters.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact with this item. Funds from the Senior Housing Subsidy reserve account (no. 0010000.310790) will be appropriated into a program expense account with the recommendation of an agreement with the awarded administrator from the RFP.
EXHIBITS:
None
04/28/2026 D2 2 of 2
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SENIOR RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM
March 18, 2026
`To summarize the Senior Rental Subsidy Program, The Council outlined the following criteria:
1. at or below the 15% AMI,
2. 70+ years old,
3. disabled, (possibly home bound)
4. the money is to be used only to offset the rental costs,
5. within the City municipal boundaries.
The one time availability of $500,000 would provide 83 people with $250/ month or some 37 people $500/month for 2 years. I wonder if there should be a blanket across the board amount ($250/ household) or decide on some variability depending on the need. How might the city want to approach this or is there a little flexibility with the funds available?
The question becomes do we want a limited sample to maximize our efforts or to help a larger sample of people. Did anyone say this is a pilot program, or is it one-time only, and the reason for other services is to help these families obtain sustainability at the end of the subsidy.
Other criteria or things to look for might be:
6, not on any other public or private housing assistance program,
7. are a US citizen or documented resident
8. identify people across the city Districts, although the highest need might be in District 1
9. primary recipient is the lease holder and/or home bound
10. lives alone
11. limited telephone access or ability to use
12. language barrier
13. physically unable to navigate up/down steps to/from the street level
14. lacks an advocate
The commission might also recommend that:
a)the city could simultaneously explore or set as a priority to attract a company or developer to build additional housing such as the N. Santa Fe "Senior Village".
from: Sid Rothenberg
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