To: Honorable Chair and Commissioners
From: Rick Tooker, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Lark Ferrell, Housing Manager
TITLE:
Title
Section 8 Landlord Mitigation and Incentive Program
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendationle
Adopt a resolution accepting funds from the City, as successor housing agency for the Napa Community Redevelopment Agency, authorizing associated budget adjustments, approving amendments to the Section 8 Landlord Mitigation and Incentive Program Guidelines, and authorizing the Executive Director to execute a Services Agreement with Abode Services for the Section 8 Landlord Mitigation and Incentive Program.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Background
The Housing Authority operates the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program (the "Section 8 Program") throughout Napa County. Households who are issued Section 8 vouchers must secure units on the open rental market. This often requires them to compete against other renters who have higher incomes, better credit histories, and the ability to pay higher rents than allowed under the Section 8 program regulations. Additionally, given the highly competitive housing market, many landlords are not necessarily interested in participating in the Section 8 Program since vacancy rates are so low and market demand for top rents is so high. This makes it very challenging for voucher holders to secure units.
In response to seeing fewer voucher holders successfully find units, the Housing Authority established the Section 8 Landlord Mitigation and Incentive Program (the "Program") in October 2017. Under the current Program, Section 8 Program participants who are either homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless (with vouchers expiring within 45 days) are referred to Abode Services by the Housing Authority. Abode provides housing location assistance to these voucher holders. Landlords accepting tenants through the Program have access to a 24-hour hotline to call in case of afte...
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