Any local, regional or state agency that receives funds to operate federal public housing or Section 8 tenant-based assistance (voucher) programs must submit a Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan. The PHA Plan is a template that outlines public housing agency policies, programs, operations, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. There are two parts to the PHA Plan: the Five-Year Plan, which each PHA submits to HUD once every fifth PHA fiscal year, and the Annual Plan, which is submitted to HUD every year.   
  
The Five-Year Plan describes the agency’s mission and the long-term goals for achieving that mission over the subsequent five years. The Annual Plan provides details about the PHA’s current programs and the resident population served, as well as the PHA’s strategy for addressing the housing needs of currently assisted families and the larger community. The Annual Plan also serves as the PHA’s yearly request for grants to support improvements to public housing buildings (through the Capital Fund Program).  
  
As required by HUD, HACCC staff provided public notice of this hearing in the Contra Costa Times on October 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2012. HACCC staff also met with the Agency’s Resident Advisory Board (RAB) on December 5 and December 10, 2012 to discuss the proposed Plan.  
  
Only one significant change is proposed to the Annual Plan approved by the Board last year. This is the addition of a non-smoking policy to the Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP).  
  
Public Housing  
  
Staff proposes to add a non-smoking policy to the ACOP. Currently seven of HACCC's public housing properties are covered by three different city or County non-smoking ordinances, while six properties are not covered by a non-smoking ordinance. Multi-family homes are covered by ordinances in the cities of Antioch (2 properties) and Martinez (2 properties) and the unincorporated County (3 properties). In order to ensure compliance with the various local laws, treat all public housing recipients in a like manner and promote better health at all of HACCC's properties, staff are proposing that all public housing units be subject to the same non-smoking lease provisions. Staff will work with County Counsel, Legal Aid and health advocates to develop lease provisions that ensure compliance with all local ordinances. As always, revisions to the lease are subject to a public hearing process and will be brought to the Board for approval prior to implementation. The proposed policy is attached.   
  
Capital Fund  
  
The Capital Fund program provides PHAs with annual funding from HUD for public housing development, financing and modernization as well as for management improvements and security costs. Capital fund dollars cannot be used for luxury improvements, direct social services, costs funded by other HUD programs or any other ineligible activities as determined by HUD on a case-by-case basis. PHAs must report annually on how they plan to use outstanding capital funds as part of the PHA Plan process.   
  
The proposed PHA Plan would continue to focus capital funds on Las Deltas in North Richmond, Bayo Vista in Rodeo and El Pueblo in Pittsburg in an ongoing effort to improve the physical condition of the properties and to decrease vacancy rates. To this end, the following projects have been budgeted in the proposed PHA Plan:  
  
• $450,000 for site improvements, streets and exterior modernization at El Pueblo in Pittsburg  
• $290,000 for site improvements and exterior modernization at Las Deltas in North Richmond  
• $402,000 for site improvements and exterior modernization at Bayo Vista in Rodeo  
• $40,000 for accessibility improvements at various properties   
  
The PHA Plan also identifies several projects that are underway using previous year’s capital fund grants. They are:  
  
• $412,000 for the exterior modernization of units at Las Deltas in North Richmond  
• $193,000 for reroofing every unit at Alhambra Terrace in Martinez  
• $640,000 for the interior modernization of units at Bayo Vista in Rodeo  
• $71,500 for rain gutter replacement at Alhambra Terrace in Martinez  
• $198,000 for the manufacture of metal security covers to protect vacant units  
• $32,000 for the purchase of new locksets at Alhambra Terrace in Martinez  
  
Housing Choice Voucher  
  
No significant changes.  
  
A complete copy of the proposed PHA Plan and attachments as well as the Administrative Plan and ACOP are available for review at HACCC’s main office.  
  

Should the Board of Commissioners elect not to approve the PHA Plan, HACCC will be out of compliance with HUD requirements and may not receive any funding via HUD’s Capital Fund program until the PHA Plan has been submitted to, and approved by, HUD. HUD may also impose additional sanctions beyond the withholding of Capital Fund moneys.

CLOSED the public hearing; ADOPTED Resolution No. 5162 titled the "PHA Certification of Compliance with the PHA Plans and Related Regulations Board Resolutions to Accompany the PHA Plan" approving the Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan for fiscal year 2013/14 including revisions to the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan.