Special Notice / Hearing: Yes
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors (Acting as the Governing Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority)
From: Raymond Hodges, Executive Director, Housing Authority
Subject: FY 2020-2021 Moving To Work Annual Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Acting as the Governing Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo, conduct a public hearing to consider the FY 2020-2021 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 FY 2020-2021 Moving To Work Annual Plan.
body
BACKGROUND:
Moving To Work (“MTW”) is a demonstration program that offers participating housing authorities the opportunity to design and test innovative, locally designed housing and self-sufficiency strategies for low-income households by allowing exceptions from certain housing regulations. The MTW program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) with the goals of increasing administrative efficiencies, encouraging self-sufficiency, and increasing housing choice.
There are approximately 3,300 housing authorities nationwide. The Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo (“HACSM”) has been an MTW agency since May 2000 and is currently one of 39 housing authorities with the MTW designation. Because of its MTW status, HACSM has implemented activities such as scheduling triennial recertifications for certain households, conducting biennial inspections on units, creating an affordable housing fund to assist in the development of affordable housing, increasing HACSM’s percentage of budget authority allowed for the Project-Based Voucher program, and developing landlord incentives for new and continuing landlords.
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 prior to submitting the Plan to HUD for its review and approval. The MTW Annual Plan includes information such as proposed and ongoing activities for the housing authorities, as well as discussion of long-term goals and strategies of the agencies within their communities.
DISCUSSION:
The FY 2020-2021 MTW Annual Plan covers the period of July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021 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 the Governing Board of Commissioners.
A public hearing was advertised in local newspapers and online at the San Mateo County Department of Housing website; the public hearing was held on March 9, 2020, at the Department of Housing office to receive comments. A copy of the proposed MTW Annual Plan was posted on the Department of Housing website and a paper copy of the proposed Plan was available for review during the department’s regular office hours prior to the COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place orders. Public comments were received and will be incorporated into the final MTW Annual Plan submitted to HUD. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HACSM received approval from HUD to extend its MTW Annual Plan submission from June 30 to September 30, 2020. During this additional time, HACSM conducted discussions with some of the parties who provided public comments to further understand their interest and needs of the program.
For the FY 2020-2021 MTW Annual Plan, HACSM is not proposing any new activities. HACSM has 36 ongoing activities which will continue to be monitored and evaluated.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no net County cost associated with this action. All funds required to operate the MTW program are provided the HUD.