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Thus, based on the aforementioned facts and the following critical points, staff does not <br />recommend opening the Section 8 waiting list at this time. This decision should be reassessed <br />during the last quarter of the year after analyzing our turnover rate in the current fiscal year. <br />Critical Decision Points: <br />• Opening the waiting list raises untrue expectations for assistance in a timely manner <br />particularly given the winter season (the most needy season) is approaching soon. <br />• False hopes lead to irate clients increasing staff security concerns. <br />2. Purge and clean-up the existing list to a manageable number. <br />The waiting list was last purged in the Fa112000. It is customary that most housing authorities <br />purge the list every two -three years. Since the County has not accepted applications for the last <br />year, we essentially still have atwo-year old waiting list. It is anticipated that it would be <br />disastrous to purge the list with a closed waiting list thereby not allowing applicants an <br />opportunity to reapply for assistance should they be purged from the list. Further, if we purge <br />the list by asking if clients are still interested in the program, that prompts the question that we <br />still cannot answer honestly -When will I receive assistance? Therefore, logistically purging <br />should occur at a time that the waiting list is open. <br />Thus, based on the aforementioned analysis, staff does not recommend purging the Section 8 <br />waiting list at this time. This conclusion should be re-examined at the time of waiting list <br />review. <br />3. Based on your discretion and authority, create wait-list preferences for people who are <br />homeless, people living in substandard housing; people paying more than fifty percent of income <br />for rent and people with disabilities. <br />The County's Program currently has these preferences as described above under the Waiting List <br />section. <br />4. Consider requesting more "set aside "funds appropriated by Congress for "veterans, <br />families reunifying with their children, families moving from welfare assistance to employment, <br />and people with disabilities. <br />The County currently actively seeks funding for new vouchers as they become available. Two <br />(2) unsuccessful applications were submitted during this calendar year. The number of vouchers <br />available nationwide has decreased or remained stable while the need has continued to grow <br />thereby fostering a stiff competition for available resources. The County and its non-profit <br />collaborators should continue to pursue Congressional increases for the Section 8 Program in <br />order to meet our local needs. <br />Additionally, this same group should voice opposition to such proposed legislation as House Bill <br />5605 which categorically changes the Section 8 renewal funding formula in a manner that could <br />have several unintended consequences including reducing local program sizes due to funding <br />constraints. <br />