To: Honorable Chair and Commissioners
From: Steve Potter, City Manager
Prepared By: Kasey Lyons, Acting Rental Assistance Program Supervisor
TITLE:
Title
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Five Year and Annual Plan
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendationle
Adopt a resolution approving the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Five Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2030 and Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Body
DISCUSSION:
On October 21, 1999, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a final rule that requires each public housing authority (PHA) to develop and adopt a Five Year and Annual Plan for the operation of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The Plan is a comprehensive guide to PHA policies, programs, operations, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals.
There are two parts to the PHA Plan: The Five-Year Plan, which each PHA submits to HUD once every fifth fiscal year, and the Annual Plan, which is submitted to HUD every year. This Five-Year Plan covers the Fiscal Years 2025-2030, and the Annual Plan covers Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
The Five Year and Annual Plan reports on the Housing Authority’s mission and goals. The following summarizes the Housing Authority’s goals and its progress to date towards meeting these goals:
Expand the range and quality of housing choices available to participants.
The Housing Authority’s utilization rate for the Voucher program was 103% of funding in 2024. While the Housing Authority is currently in shortfall and unable to issue new vouchers, the Housing Authority will continue to actively engage landlords to participate in the program and provide housing choices for participants. The Housing Authority will also continue to apply for additional vouchers as they become available from HUD. The Housing Authority has implemented a robust project-based voucher program to ensure there are quality rental units available in the competitive rental market. Additionally, the Housing Authority will continue to allow the use of shared housing to expand housing choices for participants.
Manage the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program in an efficient and effective manner.
HUD uses the Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) to annually assess how well a housing authority performs in several different categories. The Housing Authority received a High Performer designation from HUD for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The Housing Authority intends to maintain its High Performer designation for the 2025-2030 period. The Housing Authority will continue to operate a customer-friendly, fiscally responsible rental assistance program in accordance with federal regulations.
Ensure equal opportunity in housing for all by ensuring equal opportunity and affirmatively furthering fair housing.
The Housing Authority continues to undertake affirmative measures to ensure access to assisted housing regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, ancestry, genetic information, and age through active outreach to the community. The Housing Authority provides educational materials to landlords on fair housing requirements. Additionally, the Housing Authority undertakes measures to ensure accessible housing for people with disabilities, regardless of unit size needed, including allowing additional time for housing searches. The Housing Authority also provides $25,000 annually to Fair Housing Napa Valley (FHNV) to provide fair housing assistance to tenants and collaborate with mobile home organizations to maintain reasonable rent levels.
Promote self-sufficiency and asset development of families and individuals.
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program currently has 40 participants. The Housing Authority continues to work towards increasing the number and percentage of employed individuals in assisted families. The Housing Authority is also focusing on developing community partnerships to expand supportive services and improve the employability of participants.
The draft Annual Plan was reviewed by the Housing Authority’s Resident Advisory Board.
Following the conclusion of the Public Hearing, the draft Plan will be modified to incorporate any revisions due to the public hearing process and then be submitted to HUD for approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
There are no financial impacts for approving the Five-Year and Annual Plan for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
CEQA:
The Community Development Director has determined that the Recommended Action described in this Agenda Report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060 (c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Resolution Adopting Five-Year and Annual Plan
Ex A - Five-Year and Annual Plan
NOTIFICATION:
Notice announcing the availability of the draft Five-Year and Annual Plan for a 45-day public review was published in the Napa Valley Register on February 14, 2025. Copies of the notice and draft Plan were posted at the Napa County Libraries in Napa, American Canyon, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. A copy of the draft Plan was also available for review at the Housing Authority office and was posted on the City of Napa’s website on the Housing Division page. Notification was sent to the Resident Advisory Board.