To: Honorable Chair and Commissioners
From: Molly Rattigan, Deputy Executive Director
Prepared By: Kasey Lyons, Rental Assistance Program Supervisor
TITLE:
Title
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Annual Plan FYE 2026-2027
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendationle
Adopt a resolution approving the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
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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 an 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.
The Annual Plan reports on the Housing Authority of the City of Napa’s mission and goals. The Annual Plan covers Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The following summarizes the Housing Authority of the City of Napa’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 of the City of Napa continue to prioritize strategies that strengthen landlord participation and expand access to quality housing through ongoing outreach efforts. Project-based vouchers are used as a key tool to increase access to high-quality rental housing and support long-term housing stability in a competitive market.
In addition, the Landlord Mitigation and Assistance Program, administered in partnership with Abode Services, provides housing navigation services, landlord incentives, and financial support for tenant-caused damages to assist homeless and at-risk households in securing housing. Referrals for non-elderly disabled households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are accepted through the Coordinated Entry System if the waiting list has been exhausted of applicants meeting this eligibility category for Mainstream and Non-Elderly Disabled vouchers.
The Housing Authority of the City of Napa also continues to administer Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs. During the reporting period, 15 additional VASH vouchers were awarded and issued, with 14 successfully leased as of January 2026. This program supports housing stability for homeless veterans through a combination of rental assistance and supportive services
Manage the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program in an efficient and effective manner. HUD evaluates program performance across several categories through the Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP). of the City of Napa received a high performer designation for SEMAP for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
Ensure equal opportunity in housing and affirmatively furthering fair housing. The Housing Authority of the City of Napa provides funds to Fair Housing Napa Valley in the amount of $27,000 annually to provide fair housing assistance to tenants and to work with mobile home organizations to ensure rents are maintained at a reasonable level. The Housing Authority of the City of Napa also undertakes affirmative measures to ensure accessible housing for persons with disabilities. This includes allowing additional time in searching for units, maintaining an active list of potential landlords who can provide accessible housing, and providing additional bedrooms in cases of reasonable accommodation needs.
Promote self-sufficiency and asset development of families and individuals. The Housing Authority’s Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program currently has 48 families/individuals enrolled in the program. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the Housing Authority of the City of Napa had ten families graduate from the FSS program. The FSS coordinator is actively working to recruit additional FSS participants. The Housing Authority submitted a funding application and was awarded $150,000 to help support the FSS Program Coordinator position for the calendar year 2026.
The draft Annual Plan was reviewed by the Housing Authority’s Resident Advisory Board on February 3, 2026. Comments were received and are included as Exhibit B.
Following the conclusion of the public comment period, the draft Annual Plan will be modified to incorporate any revisions resulting from the public comment process and then be submitted to HUD for approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
There are no financial impacts for approving the annual plan for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
CEQA:
The Community Development Director has determined that the Recommend Action described in this Agenda Report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Resolution
EX A - Annual Plan
EX B - RAB Comments
NOTIFICATION:
Notice announcing the availability of the draft Annual Plan for a 45-day public review was published in the Napa Valley Register on February 19, 2026. Copies of the draft Plan and notice were also posted at the Napa County libraries located in Napa, American Canyon, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. A copy of the Plan was placed on the City of Napa’s website on the Housing Division page.