Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2015-10: A resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona approving the City of Flagstaff Housing Authority's 5-Year Plan and authorizing submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires a 5-year plan to be developed and submitted for approval.  This planning requirement, critical to the direction of the City of Flagstaff Housing Authority, requires a mission  statement and a set of goals and objectives.   The 2015-2020 plan contains the mission statement adopted in 2000 and 8 goals and objectives prepared for the 5-Year Plan period beginning July 1, 2015.

Adoption of Resolution 2015-10 will provide approval of the City of Flagstaff Housing Authority's (CFHA) 5-Year Plan and authorize submission of the Plan to HUD for the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020.

Each year HUD provides Capital Funds to be used for operations, management improvements, administration, physical improvements to public housing units and grounds, and the purchase of  maintenance equipment. Funding provided by HUD for Fiscal Year 2015 is $357,680.00 to be used for upgrading deteriorated waterlines at Brannen Homes; replace/paint siding at Siler Homes; mandatory ADA improvements to the Siler Homes office; repair/replace parking lots at the Dortha, Main, and Lockett scattered sites. There is no impact on the City's general fund.

COUNCIL GOALS:
3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
4) Explore and adopt policies to lower the costs associated with housing to the end user
10) Decrease the number of working poor

REGIONAL PLAN:
Goal NH.1. Foster and maintain healthy and diverse urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods in the Flagstaff region.
Goal NH.3. Make available a variety of housing types at different price points, to provide housing opportunity for all economic sectors.
Goal NH.4. All housing is safe and sanitary.

While there has not been a previous Council action on this 5-year plan, Council approves the subsequent Annual Plan update required each year by HUD.  Council approved the 2014-2015 Annual Plan update on April 1, 2014.

1) Approve the CFHA 5-Year Plan

2) Amend and Approve the CFHA 5-Year Plan

3) Do not approve the CFHA 5-Year Plan

The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (QHWRA) requires the submission of a 5-Year Plan to HUD. The Plan includes goals and objectives; financial resources for management of Public Housing and Section 8 Housing programs; assurances that policies are current in accordance with HUD regulations; a housing needs survey and a strategy on how to address the needs.  This is the fourth 5-year plan to be prepared by CFHA in accordance with Federal requirements.

The Siler Resident Management Corporation, an Arizona non-profit whose membership is all of the public housing residents, provided input on the development of the 5-Year Plan, capital improvements, and additional needs.

The 5-Year Plan needs to be approved by the City Council and submitted to HUD by no later that April 17, 2015.   

Section 5.2 of the 5-Year Plan identifies quantifiable goals and objectives that will enable the Public Housing Authority  to serve the needs of low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income households. Eight goals and objectives for the next five years have been prepared by the CFHA and City Housing staff.

Without an approved 5-year plan, the federal funding for the programs operated by CFHA will be jeopardized.  There are no General Fund monies involved in the Plan.

The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) was enacted by Congress to improve the living environment of Public Housing Residents. The Capital Fund Program is used to improve the Public Housing units for comfort, safety, and energy efficiency.

CFHA operates 265 low-income  public housing units; manages 333 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers; 38 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers; 12 SRO Section 8 vouchers for the seriously mentally ill; and manages an 80 unit Section 8 New Construction development (Clark Homes) all for the benefit of low-income households in Flagstaff.  More than 725 households a year are housed through CFHA programs and efforts.

Inform

The Public Housing Residents are kept informed of unit improvements through the Siler Resident Management Corporation (SRMC); monthly housing authority newsletters; and resident meetings.

The QHWRA requires resident participation through a Resident Advisory Board (RAB). Since the SRMC represents all of the Pubic Housing Residents, they are considered the RAB and provide necessary input.

The City of Flagstaff Housing Authority Board of Commissioners considered the 5-year plan at its March 23, 2015 meeting and approved the plan unanimously.

1. Approve the submission of the 5-year plan
2. Amend and approve the 5-year plan
3. Do not approve the 5-year plan and jeopardize the funding for the CFHA programs.