Item 31 - Emergency Housing Vouchers

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Emergency Housing Vouchers July 20, 2021 Page 4 1 8 8 7 The HCV Administrative Plan defines the Housing Authority’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’s policies and explains how the Housing Authority will implement those policies. The HCV Administrative Plan was last updated and approved by City Council on December 1, 2020. In order to accept the eighty-nine (89) EHVs and administer the Service Fees that were provided, HUD requires the Housing Authority to describe its policies for these vouchers in the HCV Administrative Plan. For example, the eligible uses of the services fee implemented by the Housing Authority and the parameters/requirements established by the Housing Authority must be described in the HCV Administrative Plan. In addition, the Housing Authority’s policy on EHV permissive prohibitions must be described in the HCV Administrative Plan. The new chapter, also known as a Temporary Policy Supplement, is attached as Exhibit 3. Following approval by City Council, staff will incorporate this chapter into the full HCV Administrative Plan and submit the updated HCV Administrative Plan to HUD. All issues related to the Emergency Housing Vouchers not addressed in the Administrative Plan are governed by federal regulations, HUD handbooks and guidebooks, notices and other applicable law. Agreement with United Way of Orange County or Other Designated Service Provider(s) In an effort to lease the EHVs with a hard-to-serve population, staff is recommending to use the $311,500 in Services Fee funds to lease-up each voucher by incentivizing landlords in the private market to accept the voucher. In the past SAHA has partnered with the Orange County United Way to engage landlords through WelcomeHomeOC, the United Way’s landlord incentive program that matches voucher holders with available units. If/when a contract/s is/are entered into with the Orange County United Way or another service provider, the Service Fee funds will be utilized to support incurred costs related to leasing up the new EHVs including property owner signing bonuses, security deposits, application fees, furnishings, holding fees, moving costs, utility deposits, renter’s insurance, and a damage mitigation fund. All of the eligible uses of the Services Fee funding match the exact services provided by Orange County United Way’s WelcomeHomeOC program. The Agreement is not attached to the Staff Report because: 1) staff have been working on the negotiations with the CoC for the MOU that must be complete by July 31, 2021; and 2) staff have been unable to secure a firm commitment from the Orange County United Way on the details of an Agreement because their staff has been working to understand any additional funding sources that could be available to partner with SAHA’s EHVs. As the EHVs are a direct response to the COVID-19 federal, state and local emergency, staff is recommending City Council to direct the City Attorney to finalize and authorize the City Manager to enter into negotiations, execute agreements, and approve any