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6:30 P.M.

INVOCATION:          

                                      The Courts have concluded that sectarian prayer as part of City Council

                                       meetings is not permitted under the Constitution.

FLAG SALUTE:

ROLL CALL:

PUBLIC HEARING:

1.         PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ANNUAL PLAN (FISCAL YEAR 2006-07):

The purpose of this report is to provide information necessary for the Housing Authority to consider: 1) the Public Housing Agency Annual Plan for 2006-2007; 2) amend the Section 8 Program Administrative Plan fraud recovery and income verification policies; and, 3) authorize the Executive Director to execute the certifications that are required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Annual Plan describes the mission of the Housing Authority and the goals for achieving its mission over the next year.

The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program is funded by HUD for the purpose of providing rent subsidies on behalf of very-low income tenants throughout the City.  Section 511 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 requires all Housing Authorities submit a Public Housing Agency Plan.  Each year, the Housing Authority submits an Annual Plan to HUD describing how the Section 8 Program will operate in the upcoming year.  This Plan covers the time period from July 6, 2006 through June 30, 2007.

The Section 8 Program Administrative Plan is a policy and procedure manual that the Burbank Housing Authority staff uses to ensure that all applicants and participants are treated in a fair and equitable manner.  The only amendments recommended pertain to fraud recovery and income verification policies.  To prevent fraud and abuse in HUD programs, the United States Code (USC) and Section 24, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 5.234 recently allowed HUD and Public Housing Agencies to obtain computer matching information about applicants and participants to determine their eligibility or level of benefits.  Most importantly, the USC authorizes computer-matching agreements for income information.  The law allows HUD to require that applicants and participants sign a consent form to request the following:

• Current or previous wages from employers;

• Wage information and unemployment compensation from State agencies charged with the administration of the State unemployment law; and,

• Income information from the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of the Treasury.

In 1999, the Housing Authority established a policy of offering lump sum and repayment agreements to any Section 8 tenant who owes money to the Housing Authority.  However, due to the increase in the number of households who do not pay their debt obligations, staff is recommending the Housing Authority amend Chapter 12 of the Housing Authority Administrative Plan to include a variety of collection methods to recover debts, including but not limited to:

• Lump sum payments;

• Repayment agreements;

• Collection agencies;

• Abatements;

• Reductions;

• Income tax set off programs;

• Civil suits;

• Credit bureaus; and,

• Prosecutions.

Before a debt is assessed, the participant or the landlord will be given ample opportunity to present documentation to dispute the Housing Authority assertion that an overpayment has been made.  Federal regulations allow Housing Authorities to refer cases of willful or intentional program abuse to the Office of the Inspector General for investigation and possible criminal prosecution.  If the Department of Justice or appropriate local or State agency declines prosecution, the Housing Authority may pursue remedies through Civil Court.

In accordance with HUD guidelines, Section 24 CFR, the Resident Advisory Board (comprised of 12 Section 8 participants) reviewed the proposed Annual Plan at a public meeting held on January 26, 2006.  The Housing Authority meets annually with the Resident Advisory Board.  In accordance with HUD guidelines, Section 24 CFR, the required public notice was posted within the required timeframe in the Burbank Leader, and the draft Plan has been available for public review at the Housing Authority office for nine weeks.

Recommendation:

Adoption of proposed resolution entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING THE PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ANNUAL PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006-07; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE THE CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; AND, AMENDING THE SECTION 8 PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN.

RECESS to continue the City Council meeting.

ADJOURNMENT.