Special Notice / Hearing: 30-day notice (newspaper publication)
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors (Acting as the Governing Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo)
From: Debbie McIntyre, Executive Director, Housing Authority
Subject: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Moving to Work Annual Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
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Acting as the Governing Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo, conduct a public hearing to consider the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Moving to Work Annual Plan:
A) Open public hearing
B) Close public hearing
C) Adopt a resolution approving the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Moving to Work Annual Plan, as set forth in Attachment A, and authorizing the Housing Authority Executive Director, or Designee, to execute documents related to the plan’s submission, and to incorporate any public comments as required.
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BACKGROUND:
Moving to Work (“MTW”) is a demonstration program for Public Housing Authorities (“PHAs”) that provides them the opportunity to design and test innovative, locally designed strategies that use federal dollars more efficiently, help residents achieve self-sufficiency, and increase housing choices for families with low incomes. MTW exempts PHAs from many existing public housing and voucher rules and provides funding flexibility with use of federal funds. PHAs in the MTW demonstration have pioneered several innovative policy interventions that have been proven to be successful at the local level and subsequently rolled out to the rest of the country’s PHAs.
MTW is funded through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). The Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo (“HACSM”) has been an MTW agency since May 2000, and HACSM is one of the original 39 MTW housing authorities. Currently, there are 138 MTW PHAs nationwide.
As an MTW agency, HACSM has created an affordable housing fund to assist in the development of affordable housing, increased HACSM’s percentage of budget authority allowed for the Project-Based Voucher program, developed landlord incentives for new and existing landlords and enhanced its Provider-Based Assistance Program portfolio.
The MTW program process requires housing authorities to prepare an MTW Annual Plan, obtain input from the public about the plan and receive approval from the Governing Board of Commissioners for HACSM prior to submitting the plan to HUD for its review and approval. The plan must include information about proposed activities, status of ongoing activities and discussion of long-term goals, and strategies for housing authorities within their communities.
DISCUSSION:
HACSM’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Moving to Work Annual Plan (the “Plan”) covers the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and was completed in accordance with HUD regulations and requirements, including that all documents are available to the public for review for a prescribed period prior to adoption by this Governing Board of Commissioners. The Plan is usually due to HUD no later than April 15th each year; however, HACSM requested an extension to submit the Plan for review and approval no later than September 30, 2026.
A public hearing for the Plan was advertised in local newspapers on August 14, 2026 and online at the San Mateo County Department of Housing (“DOH”) website; a copy of the proposed draft Plan, as set forth in Attachment A, was posted on the DOH website starting July 24, 2026, and any public comments received will be incorporated into the final Plan submitted to HUD.
HACSM is not proposing new activities for the Plan; but, it proposes to increase the allocation of MTW funds to the Affordable Housing Fund, with an additional $20 million dollars, bringing the total MTW funds contributed to $85 million. HACSM has used this activity to fund development at properties throughout San Mateo County-Midway Village in Daly City, Ridge at Ralston in Belmont, and 353 Main Street in Redwood City. HACSM will continue to monitor and evaluate the 35 activities part of its Plan.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Plan allows HACSM to test innovative, locally designed housing and self-sufficiency strategies to address the housing needs of County residents with low incomes. The Plan will positively impact County residents with low incomes as it helps mitigate the negative impact of unaffordable housing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this action. All funds required to operate the MTW program are provided by HUD.
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A: Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Moving to Work Annual Plan.