To: Contra Costa County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
From: Joseph Villarreal, Executive Director
Report Title: ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO THE ADMISSIONS AND CONTINUED OCCUPANCY POLICY OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS, CHANGES TO THE LIVE-IN AIDE POLICY, AND WAIT LIST DOCUMENTATION DEADLINES
☐Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
CONSIDER approving amendments to the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy of the Public Housing program regarding the removal of household members, changes to the live-in aide policy, and wait list documentation deadlines.
BACKGROUND:
HACCC maintains policy plans for both the Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs. The plan for the Public Housing Program is known as the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), while the plan for the HCV Program is known as the Administrative Plan. These plans address the discretionary aspects of the housing program regulations that are not specifically mandated by statue.
While there are significant differences between the Public Housing Program and the HCV Program, there are some aspects of the agency’s policies that should be uniform across all departments.
This action is seeking to align two aspects of the Public Housing Program with the HCV Program to ensure uniformity for all participants. Specifically, the process of removing a family member who no longer resides in the unit and the flexibilities that can be accorded a live-in aide for a disabled participant. In addition, this action seeks to add a deadline for submitting documents when being admitted off the waitlist to the Public Housing program.
The following changes were made to HACCC’s ACOP:
• Added language that outlines when a live-in aide (LIA) can become a household member such as when the LIA and the head of household get married.
• Added language that is consistent with the HCV program regarding what is needed to remove a household member so that the individual’s income can be removed from the total household income and related rent calculation.
• Added language that clarifies what documents must be submitted at the time of the family’s scheduled initial eligibility appointment upon selection from the waitlist, with a 10-day grace period to cure missing items; failure to do so will result in removal from the waitlist.
The proposed changes to the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan are attached.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No direct financial impact.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the Board of Commissioners elect not to adopt amendments to the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan of the Public Housing program regarding the removal of household members, changes to the live-in aide policy, and waitlist documentation deadlines, HACCC will be out of compliance with HUD requirements. HUD may also impose additional sanctions.