HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10042005 - HA1 • HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA
TO: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
FROM: Robert McEwan, Executive Director
DATE: October 4, 2005
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA TO SUBMIT A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO VARIOUS U.S.
HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES URGING EMERGENCY TENANT ASSISTANCE
VOUCHERS TO HURRICANE VICTIMS NOT CURRENTLY ON SECTION 8
ASSISTANCE
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION:
AUTHORIZE the Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra Costa to sign a
letter of support to various U.S. House Representatives and HUD to fund 50,000 emergency
tenant assistance vouchers to hurricane victims not currently on Section 8 assistance.
11. FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no cost to the Housing Authority.
Ill. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has been felt across the entire nation and Contra Costa
County, California is no exception. The Housing Authority of Contra Costa County (HACCC) has
had numerous inquiries since the relocation of victims began over two weeks ago. Through U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development's Regional Office in San Francisco (HUD) our
Housing Authority provided HUD with eight senior units and fifty-seven family units from our
meager public housing stock of 1,150 units. Unfortunately, the needs of our county and the limited
financial resources from HUD have precluded the availability of Section 8 Housing Choice
Vouchers to families from the disaster area.
The Housing Authority is seeking authorization from the Board to allow the Chairperson to sign a
letter of support to be sent to various U.S. House Representatives and HUD. A copy of the letter
is attached for your review and consideration.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATU
00^
RECOMMENDATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON Oa;lnb� /4 20;!s APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED V001 OTHER
VOTE OF COMMISSIONERS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN
AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED
JOHN SWEETEN,,tLERK OF
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY DEPUTY
H:\JudyHayes\1\4SOFFICE\WINWORD\BOARD\BO-BOS Ltr of Support.doc
IV. CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the Board of Supervisors elect not to urge support of the emergency tenant assistance
vouchers and the U. S. Congress fails to appropriate funding for such tenant assistance vouchers
the Housing Authority would be severely hampered in meeting the housing needs hurricane victim
families relocating to Contra Costa County.
H:\JudyHayes\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\BOARD\BO-BOS Ltr of Support.docbo-ins
r i
Congressman
DRAFT
Dear Congressman/Senator/HUD
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has been felt across the entire nation and Contra
Costa County, California is no exception. The Housing Authority of Contra Costa
County(HACCC)has had numerous inquiries since the relocation of victims began over
two weeks ago. Through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's
Regional Office in San Francisco (HUD) our Housing Authority provided HUD with
eight senior units and fifty-seven family units from our meager public housing stock of
1,150 units. Unfortunately,the needs of our county and the limited financial resources
from HUD have precluded the availability of Section' 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to
families from the disaster area.
On September 15, 2005 Mr. Henry Alvarez, III,president and CEO of the San Antonio
Housing Authority testified on the behalf of the National Association of Housing and
Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)before the House Subcommittee on Housing and
Community Opportunity. Mr. Alvarez reinforced the role of public housing authorities as
key to responding to the needs of Katrina's victims. The HACCC is providing much
needed assistance and aid to families with existing Section 8 Vouchers or to families who
were public housing residents from PHA's in the affected disaster area. It is the families
from the disaster areas that are not current participants in HUD funded Section 8 Voucher
or public housing programs whose housing needs are not being addressed. Mr. Alvarez
has recommended that Congress:
o Authorize and fund 50,000 emergency tenant assistance vouchers to hurricane
victims not currently on Section 8 assistance; and,
o Authorize the Secretary of HUD to waive both statutory and regulatory provisions
for the purpose of applying federal resources in the most effective manner to aid
Katrina victims.
This Board of Supervisors supports the above recommendations and urges your support
for them.