OC Housing Authority minutes 012115

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Orange County Housing Authority Board January 21, 2015 Members Present: Diane Beecham, Tammy Jacobs and Jean Bolduc Excused Absent: None Unexcused Absent: None Staff Present: James Davis and Audrey Spencer-Horsley Guests: Evelyn Johann Welcome/Introduction Chair Jean Bolduc called the meeting to order at 6:07pm. James Davis introduced Audrey Spencer- Horsley as the department's new Director and the Board's de facto secretary. Commissioners and guest, Evelyn Johann,introduced themselves. Ms. Johann is a board applicant who is scheduled to be appointed to the board by official action of the BOCC on January 22, 2015. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Diane Beecham made a motion to approve the November, 2014 minutes. Commissioner Tammy Jacobs seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Budget Review James Davis reviewed the revenues and expenses for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program as of November 30, 2014. The fund balance is $328,049, including $71,543 in unrestricted funds. While the HAP and Administrative Fee disbursements from HUD for the months of December 2014 and January 2015 were available and listed on the referenced report, the actual dollars expended by the Housing Authority was not available at the time of this budget report. HUD Audit Reports a. SEMAP: James presented the Housing Authority's Corrective Action Plan in response to HUD's SEMAP findings. It was highlighted that staff will work with the Emphasys Software administration to discover how to remedy the apparent issue of importing or exporting unit inspection information so that the system accurately reflects whether and when units are inspected. The Commissioners discussed the proposed remedies for maximizing lease potential. Chair Bolduc suggested that unrestricted funds be used to fund an incentive program where landlords would be financially encouraged or rewarded for accepting vouchers. Staff will investigate whether the funds can be used for such a program and whether an incentive program is viable. With regard to absorbing ported vouchers, it was recommended by the Commissioners that applicants currently in the "briefing" stage be issued a voucher prior to absorbing comparable vouchers. The Commissioners discussed the option of entering into an agreement with contiguous counties whereby Orange County vouchers can be administered within the neighboring counties without porting. James explained that this option was not well received by County management as it may be ill-perceived by the community as an expenditure of affordable housing dollars outside Orange County. James informed the Commissioners that HUD guidelines permit the immediate port of vouchers where the HCV applicant was an Orange County resident at the time of application. Thus, there is no requirement for such persons to be domiciled within Orange County for the prescribed term of one (1)