Madera County Grand Jury • 2011-2012

2011-2012 Madera County Grand Jury Final Report on City of Madera Housing Authority

Published: May 30, 2012 5 pages
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Findings 16 findings

F1
The Grand Jury found that the goal of the Housing Authority is to move residents to market rate housing as soon as reasonably possible through resident educational programs regarding home ownership and career opportunities.
F2
The Grand Jury found that the Housing Authority pays out approximately $374,000 monthly for rent subsidies in the HCV program.
F3
The Grand Jury found that the Housing Authority maintains waiting lists of program applicants. a. There are approximately 1,900 applicants on the waiting list for Public Housing. b. The waiting list for the HCV program has about 800 applicants.
F4
The Grand Jury found that the HCV program provides preferences for homeless families that: a. are referred from support service agencies; and b. qualify under the Domestic Violence, Displaced, Family Unification, Behavioral Health, or Veterans programs.
F5
The Grand Jury found that less than 30% of low-income and affordable housing needs in Madera are met by the Housing Authority.
F6
The Grand Jury found that, due to current economic conditions, the need for low-income and affordable housing has increased while funding has decreased.
F7
The Grand Jury found that the loss of the Redevelopment Agency created a significant reduction in funding for the Housing Authority.
F8
The Grand Jury found that Housing Authority program participants must meet eligibility requirements on an annual basis: a. income limits; b. U.S. citizen or eligible immigration status; c. passing criminal background check; d. landlord references; e. credit check; and f. no money owed to the program nation-wide.
F9
The Grand Jury found that eligible families who receive their voucher from the HCV program can search for their own rental housing in the private market. a. The rental unit must pass HUD Housing Quality Standards. b. The rent amount must be comparable to unassisted rental units in the immediate area.
F10
The Grand Jury found that rent assistance is based on a formula using the family's income, rent amount, and utility expenses. a. Generally, families do not pay more than 30% of their adjusted income. b. The remainder of the rent is paid directly to the landlord in rent subsidy.
F11
The Grand Jury found that participants who violate Housing Authority rules may be banned from the program for specific periods of time.
F12
The Grand Jury found that the Housing Authority has 31 full-time and 1 part-time staff positions. Interns are utilized through Ready, Set, Go, a training program for young adults.
F13
The Grand Jury found that the Housing Authority employs a full time City Police Officer who: a. patrols all units to provide a secure and safe living environment for program participants; b. performs criminal background checks (1,000 per year) for program applicants; c. investigates criminal activity and fraud; and d. educates tenants about crime and fraud prevention.
F14
The Grand Jury found that the Housing Authority units are well maintained. The maintenance staff: a. provides repair and maintenance services requested by tenants; b. paints, repairs, and sanitizes vacated units for occupancy by the next tenant within 15 days; and c. performs no maintenance or repair services on HCV units.
F15
The Grand Jury found that 16 public housing units have been sold. a. Five units were sold to tenants. b. Capital was reinvested in acquisition and preservation of new affordable housing.
F16
The Grand Jury found that MORES is a partner in a new 65 unit multi-family development in north Madera. Conclusions:

Recommendations 1

Conclusions 2