This facility is disabled accessible.  Auxiliary aids and services are available for individuals with speech, vision or hearing impairments (48-hour notice is required).  Please contact the ADA Coordinator at (818) 238-5021 voice or (818) 238-5035 TDD with questions or concerns.

                                                                      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:

JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL:

1.         PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ANNUAL PLAN (FISCAL YEAR 2007-08):

The purpose of this report is to provide information necessary for the Housing Authority (Authority) Board to: 1) consider the Public Housing Agency Annual Plan (Plan) for Fiscal Year 2007-08; 2) amend the Section 8 Program payment standard; 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 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 to submit a Public Housing Agency Plan. Each year, the Authority submits an Annual Plan to HUD to describe how the Section 8 Program will operate in the upcoming year. This Plan covers the time period from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.

The Section 8 Program Administrative Plan is a policy and procedure manual that Authority staff uses to ensure that all applicants and participants are treated in a fair and equitable manner. The only amendments recommended pertain to payment standards. The HUD regulations give certain parameters that must be followed in establishing the amount of subsidy that the Authority must pay to ensure that the tenant portion of rent is affordable. Chapter 7 of the Administrative Plan describes the methodology used to determine Burbank�s payment standard and establishes the local framework (within the HUD guidelines) for determining how much rental assistance each household will receive.

The current Burbank HUD subsidy is based on the average monthly housing assistance paid in May, June and July 2004. HUD calculated the budget authority for 2005 based on the three-month snapshot from 2004 ($569.47 x 1,014 x 12 = $6,929,310.46 in budget authority). As a result, the Authority Board voted to adjust the subsidy standard from 110 percent to 90 percent of the fair market rent in order to fund all 1,014 vouchers. At that time, the Authority spent approximately $104,000 more each month, than our average HUD-allotted monthly budget in order to keep the higher payment standard and utilize all 1,014 vouchers. In order to comply with HUD�s recent mandate, staff is recommending a new funding allocation formula. Federal regulations allow Housing Authorities to establish the subsidy standard amount at any level between 90 percent and 110 percent of the published fair market rent while staying within the budget authority. This is referred to as the basic range. Staff is recommending a program administration amendment to set the subsidy standard within 90 percent and 110 percent of the published fair market rent.

The immediate result of this action will allow the increase of housing assistance from our current 90 percent to 100 percent, which translates into an average of $127 more monthly assistance for those tenants with the greatest need. With this increase the Authority will be able to continue serving the maximum number of households (1,014) possible, thereby providing the highest level of service and assistance to the greatest number of people while staying within the current available resources.

Recommendation:

Adoption of proposed Housing Authority resolution entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING THE PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ANNUAL PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007-08; 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.