SR-HA-2 (2)
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RMD:NW:SW:JT:srchange Santa Monica, California
Housing Authority Meeting: November 17, 1992
TO: Housing Authority
FROM: Housing Authority Staff
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE CHANGE TO SECTION 8 LOCAL
PREFERENCE SYSTEM GIVING A PREFERENCE TO APPLICANTS
GRADUATING FROM TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the Housing Authority approve a change
to the Section 8 preference rating system in order to offer
additional preference to applicants who are coming out of a
transitional housing program.
BACKGROUND
The Santa Monica Housing Authority administers 817 certificates and
vouchers for rental assistance to low income families. Applicants
who qualify for the program will pay 30% of their income towards
the rent and the Housing Authority will pay the remainder, thus
ensuring affordability. Approximately 8,000 applicants are
currently on the Authority's waiting list.
SECTION 8 PREFERENCE RATING SYSTEM
Since the demand for Section 8 certificates and vouchers far
exceeds the supply, housing authorities must use a preference
system in order to determine the highest priority needs. In
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accordance with Federal requirements, the Santa Monica Housing
Authority grants a preference to applicants who are either
homeless, paying over 50% of their income towards the rent, or
living in substandard housing. within these categories, santa
Monica residents and veterans are given priority (also known as a
local preference).
The section 8 program is not emergency housing assistance. The
normal time frame between submission of an application and a
scheduled interview is two to three years. As a result of the
lengthy waiting period, it is sometimes difficult to contact a
homeless applicant whose name has risen to the top of the waiting
list. Local homeless agencies are often frustrated by the time
delay and have voiced their concerns regarding the difficulty in
assisting their clients with permanent housing.
The Housing Authority is propos ing to revise its Administrative
Plan to award a local preference to applicants with a federal
preference who have been active participants in a local homeless
transition program for a minimum of six months. Twenty vouchers
will be set aside in the first year for qualifying applicants. The
goal is to fast-track applicants directly from transitional housing
to permanent housing through agencies such as the Ocean Park
Community Center, step-Up on Second, the CLARE Foundation, and
LIEU-CAP. Agencies who have clients receiving the proposed local
preference will continue to provide follow-up supportive services,
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as needed, once the applicants are placed in permanent housing.
The program will be evaluated in one year. The number of future
set-asides will be dependent on new section 8 allocations from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
BUDGETARY/FINANCIAL IMPACT
There will be no financial impact as any increase in the use of the
vouchers has already been incorporated into the 1992/93 City and
HUD budgets.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Housing Authority approve the change in
the Section 8 preference to create a local preference for homeless
applicants who have been participating in a local homeless
transition program for a minimum of six months.
Prepared by: Jeff Mathieu, Director
Nancy West, Housing Program Manager
steven Wagner, Housing Coordinator
Resource Management Department
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