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Working With Your Public Housing Authority: A Case Study of Los Angeles

Working With Your Public Housing Authority: A Case Study of Los Angeles. Ruth Schwartz Shelter Partnership, Inc. www.shelterpartnership.org NAEH Annual Conference July 11, 2007. Presentation . Administrative Plan HACLA Section 8 Homeless Program (TBA)

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Working With Your Public Housing Authority: A Case Study of Los Angeles

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  1. Working With Your Public Housing Authority: A Case Study of Los Angeles Ruth Schwartz Shelter Partnership, Inc. www.shelterpartnership.org NAEH Annual Conference July 11, 2007

  2. Presentation • Administrative Plan • HACLA Section 8 Homeless Program (TBA) • Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PBA)

  3. Administrative Plan • Pay attention to the details! • 2005 - HACLA Admin Plan proposed changes to Section 8 criminal background screening policies • HACLA’s proposed changes would have instituted strong prohibitions on households with criminal background histories: • Admission to be denied if household member convicted of drug related or violent criminal activity in the past 10 years

  4. Administrative Plan • Shelter Partnership and local housing providers: • Met with HACLA representatives • Wrote letters • Testified at public hearings

  5. Administrative Plan • Succeeded in mitigating proposed changes • Proposed prohibition on drug related or violent criminal activity history reduced to 3 years • Exceptions made for drug possession convictions • Prohibitions related to violent criminal activity limited to apply only to felony convictions • Reasonable accommodation language added

  6. Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) • Established 1938 • Implemented Section 8 program in 1975 • Currently administers second largest Section 8 program in the nation

  7. Initiatives Administered by HACLA for Housing the Homeless • Section 8 Homeless Program (Tenant-Based Assistance) • Project-Based Assistance (PBA) • Shelter Plus Care • Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) • Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) • Skid Row Families Demonstration Project

  8. Section 8 Homeless Program • Developed out of a unique window of opportunity • Collaboration between Shelter Partnership and HACLA • June 1990 - HUD NOFA in Federal Register announced funding preference to PHAs working with the homeless

  9. First Year of Section 8 Homeless Program - Program Design • HUD awarded HACLA 1,550 Section 8 vouchers • Vouchers distributed through 11 contracted non-profit organizations, including agencies serving families (Beyond Shelter) and persons with disabilities (i.e. mental illness, HIV/AIDS) • Los Angeles Community Development Department provided $250,000 to fund staffing at each agency

  10. Current Section 8 Homeless Program • Reinstated in 2006 following two-year hiatus • 15 agencies • 14 non-profits + 1 County Department • 1,800+ vouchers

  11. Roles & Responsibilities • Formalized thru annual MOU signed by both parties • HACLA • General administration and coordination of program • Train the contracted agencies • Process the applications • Issue vouchers • Process RFTAs and contracts with landlords • Perform inspections

  12. Roles & Responsibilities • Agencies • Screen clients for eligibility • Assist clients in completing application • Update clients throughout process • Assist clients in housing search • Counsel clients on housekeeping, money management and tenant obligations • Provide one year of follow-up case management • Facilitate landlord/tenant problem solving • Assist clients with annual inspections • Monthly reporting to HACLA

  13. An Evaluation of HACLA’s Section 8 Homeless Program • Summer 2006: HACLA commissioned Shelter Partnership to conduct assessment of program • Improvements to program instituted by HACLA • Increased staffing quicker processing of applications • Distributed a guide on how to complete application packet • Modified a problematic form to facilitate its proper completion • Standardized trainings

  14. PBA Through the Permanent Supportive Housing Program • Developed by City of Los Angeles in 2006 • Cooperation Agreement between four City agencies: • Los Angeles Housing Department • HACLA • Department of Water & Power • Community Redevelopment Agency

  15. PSHP - Program Design • Two rounds • To facilitate development of permanent supportive housing for homeless and other low-income populations • > 50% of units reserved for homeless • 100% of units must be affordable to households at or below 60% AMI • Provides capital and operating subsidy funding in one application

  16. PSHP - Program Design • Initial intent of PSHP to also include services funding through the County • Timing and inter-jurisdictional issues presented obstacles • L.A. County contains 88 cities (of which City of L.A. by far the largest) • County is responsible for health, welfare and income support.

  17. PSHP - Program Design • Applicants must leverage other funding sources for additional capital funds and for supportive service funds: • 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits • State Supportive Housing Program (Prop. 1C of 2006 - $195 million Bond Act)

  18. PSHP - Round 1 • Five projects funded - 240 units • Target populations: families, EFY, special needs, chronically homeless • $22 million in capital financing • $26 million in HACLA Section 8 PBA over the ten-year length of the contract

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