REMOTE VIRTUAL PLATFORM Mesa Housing Services Governing Board Thu 11.19.2020

Last Thursday's meeting was streamed into The Lower Chambers. Here's the Board Report and a Link to the Presentation

Mesa Housing Services  Governing Board Report  
Date:  November 19, 2020 
To:  Housing Services Governing Board 
Through: Natalie Lewis, Deputy City Manager   Ruth Giese, Community Services Director  
From:  Mary Brandon, Community Services Deputy Director  
Subject: Mesa Housing Services Quarterly Report    
Purpose and Recommendation 
The purpose of this report is to provide an update with the Mesa Housing Services Governing Board (“Board”) on voucher utilization, housing assistance payments and agency updates.   
Background 
The City of Mesa Public Housing Authority (“Mesa Housing Authority”) is required to update the Housing Services Governing Board on agency performance. 

As part of the requirements for continued funding from HUD, the Mesa Housing Authority must meet HUD goals and objectives relative to specific program areas which are, generally, to assist eligible families in the City of Mesa with rental subsidy (vouchers) in compliance with federal regulations.   
Discussion . . . 
PRESENTATION:

November 19, 2020 7:30am Mary Brandon Community Services Deputy Director

Overview of Mesa Housing Authority’s voucher utilization, housing assistance payments and housing programs.

Housing Services Governing Board Agenda
•2020 Voucher Utilization •2020 Rent Payments (HAP) •VASH Program Update •Housing Programs
 

File #:

20-1083

Type:

Presentation

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

Mesa Housing Services Governing Board

On agenda:

11/19/2020

Title:

Hear a presentation and discuss updates on the City's Housing Choice Voucher Programs including utilization, funding, and expenditures.

Attachments:

1. Presentation, 2. Board Report

 

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5 months ago in June there was an earlier meeting in the year - now we have the "Approved Minutes" that is 12 pages long

MESA HOUSING SERVICES GOVERNING BOARD 
June 25, 2020  
The Mesa Housing Services Governing Board of the City of Mesa met via virtual format streamed into the lower level meeting room of the Council Chambers, 57 East 1st Street, on June 25, 2020 at 7:42 a.m.

3-a.  Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on updates on the City’s Housing Choice Voucher Programs including utilization, funding, and expenditures. 
Housing Supervisor Mary Brandon introduced Housing Services Coordinator Rosario BeltranJoshi who displayed a PowerPoint presentation. (See Attachment 1) She commented that the Mesa Housing Authority is seeking support for the nine mainstream vouchers that were allocated for the City of Mesa.

Ms. Brandon stated the Mesa Housing Authority received notice from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stating an additional nine mainstream vouchers have been awarded, totaling $63,645 annually. She mentioned the CARES Act directed HUD to allocate the additional vouchers to those who received vouchers in 2018 and 2019, increasing the total of mainstream vouchers to 137 for the Mesa Housing Authority. She explained mainstream vouchers serve households that include one non-elderly person with a disability between the age of 18 to 61. (See Page 3 of Attachment 1) 
  Ms. Brandon presented a chart displaying the quarterly update of Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) which are rents paid to the landlords on behalf of participants. She stated the housing utilizations were low in 2019 and increased in 2020 where the HUD-Held Reserves were used. She mentioned rents paid out each month totaled $1,200,000, and the cost per unit is $707, which is a 10% to 12% increase from 12 months ago. (See Page 4 of Attachment 1) 
Ms. Brandon pointed out the Mesa Housing Authority should be as close to 100% utilization as possible because of how the administrative fee is calculated. She stated the administrative fee is the funding that helps run the programs. (See Page 5 of Attachment 1) 
Ms. Brandon presented a chart displaying utilization decreases and HAP increases. She stated with utilization decreasing and rents increasing there is a concern of balance with the housing program. She explained the two reasons as to why rent payments are increasing are market rents are continually rising, and due to pandemic participants losing income, so the Mesa Housing Authority is paying higher rents. She mentioned the Mesa Housing Authority is using HUD-Held Reserves, since there will be a shortage of HAP money. She reported due to COVID19 the Mesa Housing Authority can apply for funding that will help pay the deficit of the increased rents each month. (See Page 6 of Attachment 1) 

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Ms. Beltran-Joshi provided brief updates to the Veteran’s Affairs Program. She noted there are 150 veterans in units and seven veterans currently searching to move into housing units. She reported there has been 21 referrals received in 2020 due to more engagement from the Veterans Affair (VA). She stated a new landlord is participating in the VA program and would like to continue working with veterans by purchasing additional housing properties. She explained since COVID-19 there has been an increase in homeless veterans. She shared in May 2020 Operation Off the Streets has identified four homeless veterans in Mesa who are now receiving service and housing options. (See Page 7 of Attachment 1)   

In response to a question from Chairman Giles, Ms. Brandon reported there are 41 VASH Vouchers still available and there is access to additional vouchers when needed.  

File #:

20-1084

Type:

Minutes

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

Mesa Housing Services Governing Board

On agenda:

11/19/2020

Title:

Approval of minutes from the June 25, 2020 meeting.

Attachments:

1. June 25, 2020 Mesa Housing Authority Governing Board