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#7A Review Public Housing Agency Plan & Set fo NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES MEMORANDUM August 11, 2009 TO: Community Development Authority FROM: Jennifer Petruzzello, Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: Agenda Item #7: Review Public Housing Agency 5-Year and Annual Plan and set for Public Hearing Background: Every five years, with annual updates, the Community Development Authority prepares a Public Housing Agency Plan, which provides information to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and citizens on the City’s goals for administering the Section 8 Rent Assistance Program. This year, the CDA will need to prepare the 5-Year Plan for the 2010-2014 fiscal years. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a 45 day notice period where the plan can be publicly inspected for comment. In addition, a public hearing must be held before approval of the plan. Finally, the plan must be submitted to HUD by October 16, 2009. The draft plan identifies the following goals and objectives for the next five years: 1. Expand the supply of assisted housing by applying for additional rental vouchers (if they become available). 2. Improve voucher management as measured by the self assessment process (increase SEMAP score, currently 87%). 3. Improve quality of assisted units (increase the first time pass rate of annual housing quality standard inspection, currently 59% fail the first inspection). 4. Improve quality of assisted units (provide rehabilitation and lead hazard reduction loans/grants to assisted units). 5. Improve quality of assisted units (provide landlord training). 6. Increase participation in Family Self Sufficiency Program (currently have 6 participants). 7. Ensure equal opportunity and affirmatively further fair housing. 8. Explore and implement a Section 8 Homeownership Program (if funding and resources allow). During the 2004-2009 time period, the Janesville PHA was able to make the following progress towards goals identified in the previous 5-Year Plan: 1. The Janesville PHA was able to temporarily increase our voucher management by increasing our SEMAP score to that of a high performer. J:\Development\Housing, Building & Neighborhood Services\Administration - HBNS\CDA Agenda Items\2009 1 Agenda Items\August 19, 2009\#7A Review Public Housing Agency Plan & Set for Public Hearing.doc 2. The Janesville PHA has consistently maintained a customer satisfaction level of greater than 90%. 3. The Janesville PHA has offered a landlord training program over the past two years to improve the quality of assisted housing, the number of landlords participating in the housing, and knowledge of fair housing. 4. The Janesville PHA continually works to affirmatively further fair housing through the distribution of information, posting of policy, provision of training and response to complaints. The Janesville CDA was not able to expand the supply of assisted housing because additional vouchers did not become available, and the high rental vacancy rate due to the economic downturn did not facilitate private partnerships. Attached is a copy of the draft Public Housing Agency Plan for 2010-2014. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the CDA approve the Public Housing Agency 5-Year and Annual Action Plan for publication and set for public hearing on October 14, 2009. J:\Development\Housing, Building & Neighborhood Services\Administration - HBNS\CDA Agenda Items\2009 2 Agenda Items\August 19, 2009\#7A Review Public Housing Agency Plan & Set for Public Hearing.doc