HomeMy WebLinkAboutOC Housing Authority minutes 012115 Orange County Housing Authority Board
January 21, 2015
Members Present: Diane Beecham, Tammy Jacobs and Jean Bolduc
Excused Absent: None
Unexcused Absent: None
Staff Present: James Davis and Audrey Spencer-Horsley
Guests: Evelyn Johann
Welcome/Introduction
Chair Jean Bolduc called the meeting to order at 6:07pm. James Davis introduced Audrey Spencer-
Horsley as the department's new Director and the Board's de facto secretary. Commissioners and guest,
Evelyn Johann,introduced themselves. Ms. Johann is a board applicant who is scheduled to be appointed
to the board by official action of the BOCC on January 22, 2015.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Diane Beecham made a motion to approve the November, 2014 minutes. Commissioner
Tammy Jacobs seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Budget Review
James Davis reviewed the revenues and expenses for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program as
of November 30, 2014. The fund balance is $328,049, including $71,543 in unrestricted funds. While
the HAP and Administrative Fee disbursements from HUD for the months of December 2014 and January
2015 were available and listed on the referenced report, the actual dollars expended by the Housing
Authority was not available at the time of this budget report.
HUD Audit Reports
a. SEMAP: James presented the Housing Authority's Corrective Action Plan in response to
HUD's SEMAP findings. It was highlighted that staff will work with the Emphasys
Software administration to discover how to remedy the apparent issue of importing or
exporting unit inspection information so that the system accurately reflects whether and
when units are inspected.
The Commissioners discussed the proposed remedies for maximizing lease potential.
Chair Bolduc suggested that unrestricted funds be used to fund an incentive program
where landlords would be financially encouraged or rewarded for accepting vouchers.
Staff will investigate whether the funds can be used for such a program and whether an
incentive program is viable. With regard to absorbing ported vouchers, it was
recommended by the Commissioners that applicants currently in the "briefing" stage be
issued a voucher prior to absorbing comparable vouchers.
The Commissioners discussed the option of entering into an agreement with contiguous
counties whereby Orange County vouchers can be administered within the neighboring
counties without porting. James explained that this option was not well received by
County management as it may be ill-perceived by the community as an expenditure of
affordable housing dollars outside Orange County. James informed the Commissioners
that HUD guidelines permit the immediate port of vouchers where the HCV applicant
was an Orange County resident at the time of application. Thus, there is no requirement
for such persons to be domiciled within Orange County for the prescribed term of one (1)
year to be eligible to port. There was additional discussion on this topic by the
Commissioners.
b. VMS: James presented the Corrective Action Plan in response to HUD's VMS audit.
James stated that staff will work with the Emphasys Software administrators to remedy
the need to manually count or calculate data.
Department Report
a. Membership Update: James informed the Commission that new members will appointed
to the board on January 22, 2015. He also informed the Commission that a letter was
sent to an HCV Program participant requesting him to apply to the board. The
Commissioners discussed how to attract a participant to join the board and recommended
that the staff(Housing Specialists)identify a person.
By consent, the Commissioners asked staff to recommend Daniel Bullock to the board.
b. 2015 Proposed Payment Standards: James reported that the payment standard is
currently 110% of FMR as recommended by the board. This will result in fewer
vouchers the HA can administer over time. As a follow-up, James provided information
about the unit prices at 86 North. Based on their price rates, program participants would
not be able to rent at the complex even with the implementation of the 110% payment
standard.
C. Amendments to the bylaws: The Commissioners reviewed the amendments as presented
by Diane Beecham and Jean Bolduc. Additional amendments will be made and discussed
prior to a formal vote to amend the bylaws. The Commissioners discussed whether the
board is a Board of Commissioners or the Housing Authority for the Department of
Housing, Human Rights and Community Development. The Commissioners agreed that
determining their role will affect how the bylaws should be amended. James will present
this issue to the County Attorney for clarification.
Other Business
There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m. on a motion by Tammy
Jacobs and seconded by Diane Beecham.
Respectfully submitted: James E. Davis, Jr., Secretary
2