AGENDA DATE: 11/20/2019
TITLE:
Title
Housing Choice Voucher Program
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approval of Administrative Plan
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Baumgartner, Savides, Witt
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Albemarle County Office of Housing (“Office”) is the designated local agency for the administration of the Housing Choice Voucher Program (“Program”), formerly known as the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. The Office is considered a part of the executive branch of local government and not a public housing authority. Although not a housing authority, the Office must comply with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) requirements for Public Housing Agency (“PHA”) activities, including the development and implementation of an Administrative Plan which specifies policies adopted by the County.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations: Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities
DISCUSSION: The Office has taken the opportunity to make some needed revisions to the Administrative Plan that will bring the County in line with HUD policy, as well as provide a higher quality of customer service. These revisions include adding to the list of preferences and clarifying how those would be verified, changing how the waiting lists for Project Based and Moderate Rehabilitation applicants are managed, changing the process of annual reexamination to make it more streamlined, adding positions that can serve as appeal hearing officers, changing some of the family obligations to shorten the required timeframes, and changing the thresholds for repayment of debts. Attachment C summarizes these changes.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact anticipated because of this action. HUD provides annual budget authority for the voucher program from which any vouchers may be funded.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment B) to approve the revised Administrative Plan and to authorize the Director of Social Services/Office of Housing to implement the Program in accordance with the approved Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - HCV Administrative Plan
B - Resolution
C - Proposed Changes