HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 - MOU AGREEMENT FOR INTER-JURISDICTIONAL MOBILITYREQUEST FOR HOUSING
AUTHORITY ACTION
MEETING DATE:
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
TITLE:
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR
INTER -JURISDICTIONAL MOBILITY
(STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 4, 11
EXEC TIVE DI T8
RECOMMENDED ACTION
RECORDING SECRETARY USE ONLY:
APPROVED
❑ As Recommended
❑ As Amended
CONTINUED TO
Authorize the Executive Director to execute a Memorandum of Agreement for Inter -Jurisdictional
Mobility with the Orange County Housing Authority and Anaheim Housing Authority effective
October 1, 2016 through August 31, 2021, subject to non -substantive changes approved by the
Executive Director and the Housing Authority General Counsel.
DISCUSSION
Under the federal regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, a family that has been
issued a voucher by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Ana (SAHA) has the right to use
their voucher to lease a unit anywhere in the United States as long as the unit is located within
the jurisdiction of a Public Housing Authority (PHA) administering a Housing Choice Voucher
Program. The process by which a family obtains a voucher from one PHA and uses it to lease a
unit in the jurisdiction of another PHA is known as portability. Currently, 930 families are
exercising that right and reside outside of SAHA's jurisdiction. Their rental assistance is
administered by the Garden Grove Housing Authority and Orange County Housing Authority who
bill SAHA each month for their vouchers. SAHA has no authority to deny a family their right to
port -out of our jurisdiction or to ask another housing authority to absorb those families.
SAHA is seeking approval to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Orange
County Housing Authority (OCHA) and Anaheim Housing Authority (AHA) to enhance our
services and save time for families who are moving between our housing authorities. This MOA is
intended to simplify, facilitate, and improve inter -jurisdictional administration of the Housing
Choice Voucher Program in Orange County by eliminating often cumbersome procedures that
would otherwise be necessary under Portability requirements. Currently when a family requests
to exercise their right to port -out to OCHA or AHA's jurisdiction, the process can take an
additional 30 — 45 calendar days because the Receiving PHA must collect new documentation
and issue a new voucher to the family. Under this MOA, when a family exercises their right to
port -out, SAHA would only need to request an inspection of the assisted -unit requested by the
Memorandum of Agreement for Inter -Jurisdictional Mobility
September 6, 2016
Page 2
family from the PHA who has jurisdiction over the unit and the family's assistance would continue
to be administered by SAHA. This MOA will reduce the time it takes for families to move between
housing authority jurisdictions in Orange County and allow SAHA, OCHA, and AHA to more
efficiently administer our housing assistance.
OCHA, AHA, and the Garden Grove Housing Authority have had an agreement in place for over
ten year years and they intend to renew their existing five-year agreement. Prior to 2009, SAHA
was a party to the agreement. This agreement between housing authorities in Orange County
has proven to be successful and cost effective. In addition to the administrative benefits of joining
this agreement, SAHA would also retain 100 percent of the Administrative Fee for a family's
voucher outside of our jurisdiction in -lieu of paying 80 percent of the Administrative Fee to a
Receiving PHA that is billing SAHA for the administration of the family's voucher. SAHA currently
disburses approximately $375,000 per year in Administrative Fees for port -out vouchers being
administered by OCHA, AHA the Garden Grove Housing Authority and other housing authorities
nationwide, with the majority in Orange County. If SAHA decides not to be a party to this
agreement, voucher assisted -families will still exercise their right to portability under the federal
regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The MOA (Exhibit 1) outlines the definitions and terms of the agreement. Contingent on approval
of this action by the City Council and Housing Authority, the MOA will be recommended to the
Orange County Board of Supervisors for consideration.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Approval of this item assists the City in meeting Goal #4 - Fiscal Sustainability, Objective #1
(Maintain a stable, efficient and transparent financial environment).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Jud nn Bre
Housing Division Manager
Community Development Agency
JB/MZ
Exhibit: 1. Memorandum of Agreement