To: Honorable Chair and Commissioners
From: Vincent Smith, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Lark Ferrell, Housing Manager
TITLE:
Title
Section 8 Software Agreement
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendationle
Authorize the Executive Director to execute a five-year agreement with MRI Software LLC for software for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Body
DISCUSSION:
The Housing Authority (the "Authority") has contracted with HAPPY Software for its Section 8 software for over 20 years. The Authority uses a variety of software modules for the operation of its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. These modules include, but are not limited to, an inspection module to track and schedule unit inspections, a module to calculate tenants' incomes and rent portions, and a module for the Family Self Sufficiency Program. HAPPY software is also used each month by Housing and Finance staff to make housing assistance payments to the Section 8 landlords. Having software which is supported and maintained is critical to the Authority's ability to continue to efficiently and effectively operate the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Historically, the Authority contracted with HAPPY Software through one-year agreements. Because HAPPY Software did not offer multi-year agreements, the prices would increase annually, often by up to 10% each year. In March 2018, MRI Software acquired Happy Software and has implemented new pricing structures. Under MRI's pricing model, the Authority's current year's cost for the software support and maintenance of all Section 8 software modules would be $24,751. This cost could increase by up to 7% annually if the Authority continued to contract through one-year agreements. If it entered into a three-year agreement, the cost could increase by up to 5% annually. However, if the Authority enters into a five-year agreement, the price would be locked in with no more than a 3.5% annual increase each year. ...
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