On December 17, 2013, the Board approved submission of two RAD applications for the conversion of 90 vacant public housing units at Las Deltas in North Richmond to RAD project-based voucher (PBV) units that could be used to fund development of affordable housing throughout the County. On March 30, 2015, HUD approved these two applications.
On August 18, 2015, the Board authorized submission of two more RAD applications to HUD that increased HACCC's previously approved applications for 90 vacant units to include all 214 units at Las Deltas. These RAD applications received HUD approvals on August 16, 2016.
As was discussed previously with the Board, all RAD awards are conditional and will require dozens of further HUD approvals before the final conversion of Las Deltas public housing units through RAD is complete. It is expected that the total conversion of Las Deltas will take 2-3 years to complete. Along with closing the financing of the thirteen properties that will receive RAD project-based voucher funding, one of the key next steps in the RAD process will be to help the families living at Las Deltas find new, affordable places to live. All of the residents living at Las Deltas at the time of conversion, must be assisted under the laws and regulations set forth in the Uniform Relocation Act, California Relocation Assistance Law, and the California Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Guidelines. It is expected that most, if not all, of the tenants at Las Deltas will move to another public housing property or will relocate using a housing choice voucher. At least one family has expressed interest in buying their unit.
HUD regulations require that prior to the commencement of any relocation actions by a housing authority, the Board of Commissioners and HUD must approve the relocation plan. On July 19, the Board approved the procurement of relocation services from Overland, Pacific & Cutler to provide relocation services to the residents of Las Deltas. The services of the relocation consultant will ensure that HACCC meets all of its legal obligations surrounding relocation. The relocation consultant will also provide comprehensive housing search assistance to Las Deltas tenants. The attached relocation plan was prepared by Overland, Pacific & Cutler and HACCC staff with input from residents and community advocates. It details the proposed relocation process for the residents at Las Deltas.
Once a relocation plan is approved by the Board, staff will submit it to HUD for review.
Funding of approximately $1.3 million for the relocation consultants and all direct relocation costs to families will be paid using HACCC's approved annual Capital Fund Program (CFP) budget.
Should the Board of Commissioners not approve the proposed relocation plan, HACCC would not be authorized to begin the relocation process to help families at Las Deltas find suitable replacement housing. More importantly, since families can move of their own volition, any family that moves before a relocation plan is approved may not receive all of the benefits afforded under the plan.
CLOSED the hearing and APPROVED the relocation plan.