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REQUEST FOR HOUSING AUTHORITY ACTION MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2020 TITLE: APPROVE AN UPDATE TO THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECORDING SECRETARY USE ONLY: ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended CONTINUED TO RECOMMENDED ACTION Approve an update to two chapters in the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan and authorize submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. DISCUSSION The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires housing authorities that administer a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program to have an Administrative Plan. The purpose of the HCV Administrative Plan is to establish policies for implementing the HCV program in a manner consistent with HUD requirements and local goals and objectives contained in Santa Ana Housing Authority's (SAHA's) 5-Year and Annual Plans. The HCV Administrative Plan defines SAHA's local policies for the operation of the HCV program in the context of federal laws and regulations. The Administrative Plan also informs the public and staff about the housing authority policies and explains how the Santa Ana Housing Authority will implement those policies. All issues related to the HCV program not addressed in the Administrative Plan are governed by federal regulations, HUD handbooks and guidebooks, notices and other applicable law. The HCV Administrative Plan was last updated and approved by City Council on March 15, 2016. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in the number of families assisted by the Housing Authority over the last few years, staff are recommending an update to the following Chapters: • Chapter 7-I.D. Third -Party Written and Oral Verification • Chapter 16-III Informal Reviews and Hearings For the update to Chapter 7-1.D., staff seeks to streamline the process to recertify a family's eligibility each year by reducing the administrative burden on the Housing Authority and the family to provide verifications for their assets valued at less than $5,000. With this update, families will be able to efficiently self -certify the value of their assets and anticipated asset income if the net value of their assets is less than $5,000. The income that families earn from assets is generally very small relative to their income from employment and other sources, so this update will have a minimal impact on the calculation of each family's housing assistance payment. 4-1