To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CAMERON HARDING, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE LOS ANGELES HOMELESS SERVICES AUTHORITY (LAHSA) FOR EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER (EHV) REFERRALS FROM JULY 1, 2021 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the American Rescue Plan, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) to public housing agencies throughout the nation to address homelessness. The Redondo Beach Housing Authority (RBHA) was granted an allocation of 29 Emergency Housing Vouchers. These vouchers were designed to provide assistance to individuals and families who are:
• Experiencing homelessness;
• At risk of homelessness;
• Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, or human trafficking.
• Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.
The RBHA has been working with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, LAHSA, to obtain EHV referrals. The initial contract with LAHSA allowed for referrals to be received through March 3, 2022. This new Agreement extends the referral timeframe to September 30, 2022. Furthermore, this Agreement allows the Housing Authority to disclose the status of an EHV application to program administrators outside of the City.
BACKGROUND
The American Rescue Plan allowed the HUD to allocate additional vouchers to public housing authorities (PHAs) operating in areas of greatest population need. EHVs are targeted to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness; at risk of experiencing homelessness; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking; or were recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability. HUD awarded the RBHA funding to administer 29 EHVs.
Since August 3, 2021, the Redondo Beach Housing Authority has been working with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) for referrals of program eligible families and individuals. Of the 30+ families LAHSA has referred to the RBHA for an EHV, only half of the families have been determined eligible. The Agreement with LAHSA allows for the RBHA to continue receiving referrals through the end of September 2022. This contract also allows for RBHA staff to communicate an applicant’s voucher/housing status to program administrators.
EHVs are administered under the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Families accepted through the EHV program are subject to the same criminal background and income eligibility screening as families accepted through the waiting list. Additionally, EHV families are responsible for complying with the same program rules and federal regulations to maintain their housing assistance.
COORDINATION
The Memorandum of Understanding with LAHSA was prepared by and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Housing Authority will receive additional housing assistance funding and administrative fee funding to cover all costs associated with the administration of the EHVs.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority