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SR-407-006 (19) RMD: EDD: MR: AJ: F:\RESOURCE\SHARE\STAFFREPORTS\HOUSING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM.DOC Council Meeting: January 27, 2004 Santa Monica, California To: Mayor and City Council From: City Staff Subject: Professional services contract with Compliance Solutions for Section 8 program compliance, eligibility determination for City owned affordable housing projects and the Inclusionary Housing waiting list, Section 8 applicant eligibility determination and Rental Integrity Management Monitoring (RIMM) monthly reviews. INTRODUCTION This report requests City Council authorization for a contract with Compliance Solutions for up to $56,300 for conducting field audits to ensure housing program compliance, determine the eligibility of applicants for both City owned affordable housing projects and the Inclusionary Housing waiting lists, determine the eligibility of Section 8 waiting list applicants for Section 8 vouchers, and assist City staff in Rental Integrity Management Monitoring (RIMM) monthly reviews. BACKGROUND The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that housing authorities ensure program compliance and recently instituted the Rental Integrity Management Monitoring (RIMM) program. The recently instituted Rental Integrity Management Monitoring (RIMM) program requires housing authorities to augment the amount of eligibility documentation for program participants. 1 DISCUSSION The Santa Monica Housing Authority has a purchase order with Compliance Solutions to assist staff in determining the eligibility of Section 8 waiting list applicants for Section 8 vouchers and to conduct field audits to ensure Section 8 program compliance. Compliance Solutions was originally selected through a Request for Qualifications process and is well versed in both Section 8 regulations and the operations of the Santa Monica Housing Authority. As a result, the Housing Authority will be able to focus its staff resources on the annual income recertification of current Section 8 participants while Compliance Solutions qualifies Section 8 waiting list applicants and assists City staff in monthly file reviews to ensure compliance with RIMM requirements. Compliance applicants for both Solutions will also aid Housing and Redevelopment staff in qualifying City owned affordable housing projects and the Inclusionary Housing waiting list. Housing and Redevelopment Division staff will reopen the Inclusionary housing waiting list in early 2004. Staff proposes to contract with Compliance Solutions at $50 per hour. BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT Budget authority is available in Housing Division Account # 01264.555060. 2 RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services contract with Compliance Solutions in an amount not to exceed $56,300 to conduct field audits to ensure Section 8 program compliance, to assist staff in determining the eligibility of Section 8 waiting list applicants for Section 8 determine the eligibility of applicants for both City owned affordable vouchers, to housing projects and the Inclusionary Housing waiting lists, and to assist City staff in Rental Integrity Management Monitoring (RIMM) monthly reviews. Prepared by: Jeff Mathieu, Director, Resource Management Department Bob Moncrief, Housing & Redevelopment Manager Peter Mezza, Housing Authority Administrator 3