Los Angeles Office of Public Housing
Quarterly Newsletter Summer 2013
Serving Southern California

Los Angeles Embarks on 100 Day Campaign

Being the "Capital" of homelessness in the country, Los Angeles has always been at the forefront of the battle against homelessness. Much has been done, and many ideas are in effect. The community's success in collaborating on homelessness has become a model for other communities in the country. Yet, this summer, Greater Los Angeles will embark on another collective effort. Over the course of one hundred days, our partners will double the rate of housing placement for the chronic homeless population.

The Los Angeles 100 Day Campaign is part of the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a nationwide effort that seeks to house 100,000 of the most vulnerable homeless individuals and families by 2014. After a two and half day boot camp with wholehearted support and guidance from the 100,000 Homes Campaign and Rapid Results Institute, the Los Angeles team went through teamwork scenarios, ground rules establishment, and came to a consensus on several metrics to decide on a monthly housing placement goal and a comprehensive approach to achieve the goal. The team's goal stated that Los Angeles will double the current housing placement rate for chronically homeless to 500 a month and to 200 a month for chronic veterans, for a total placement rate of 700 per month. They will continue to accelerate this pace towards reaching the ultimate goal of 1095 per month. This is quite a challenge. With a target goal of 54,000, of which 31,764 and 10,923 are chronic and chronic veterans respectively, this is the highest housing placement goal of all communities to date.

To spearhead the campaign, a core team was formed. The Los Angeles 100 Day Campaign team is made up of more than 25 individuals representing philanthropic and non-profit organizations, community service providers, and federal and local governmental agencies. During the boot camp, Christine Marge, Director of United Way's Home for Good, stepped up as the team's leader. In that role, she is the voice and the central coordinator for the overall effort for the next 100 days. However, with the largest 100 Day Campaign team ever assembled providing support each step along the way, she will not be alone in the journey. In their own language, the team describes itself as "A big ole team with all the right people". Each team member is tasked with specific sub-goals that make up the housing replacement goal. Some of the sub-goals consist of: formulating data collection process, mapping the process for effective utilization of HUD-Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), identifying 200 housing resource per month for chronic veterans, or identifying existing potential services to support 300 chronic placements.

The 100 Day Campaign is not an easy journey, nor is it intended to be. While many communities have completed the journey, they all encounter obstacles and stumble along the way. Considering the scale of homelessness in this community, there is no doubt that this will hold true for the team. Nonetheless, the Los Angeles community has a strong sense of urgency and determination, the community has the largest homeless population. We wish the Los Angeles 100 Day Campaign team the best of luck as they set out on this ambitious and inspirational journey.

Message from Director:

Thank you so much!! Even though all are enduring tough economic times, the Southern California Public Housing Authorities continue to persevere and house as many tenants as possible. As the saying goes, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" and that obviously applies to you. As Thomas Edison said, "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." All would agree that the business we are in definitely brings new challenges daily. In fact, I have come to realize it is far better to remain humble and to never believe you know everything because that very thought will cause an earth-shattering event to occur. You might think that you will never hear a new tenant issue again, but I guarantee you will hear one tomorrow. During the recent Southern California NAHRO, I informed you that you possessed hearts of gold and I stand firm in that remark. For you are the ones that chose this field, thus you are the ones that chose to be a better person that chose to make the world around you a better place to live.

Homelessness, homelessness, homelessness-house the homeless is one of the main focuses we continue to hear from Secretary Donovan and Assistant Secretary Office of Public and Indian Housing. Again, I want you to know how much you are sincerely appreciated for continuing to think of new ways to reach out to the homeless, especially while many of you are unable to lease up with your regular Section 8 Program. In the midst of this reduced funding stretch, all continue to develop and achieve ambitious goals. You ARE an extraordinary group! I truly am at a loss for words of what to say, except thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!! You are truly the best!!

That being said, please remember to contact us whenever you have any questions or if you simply want to bounce some ideas or thoughts around. We are here to help you in any way possible. Together we achieve outstanding as the Number One jurisdiction throughout the land.

K.J. Brockington
Director, Los Angeles Office of Public Housing

Project HOUSED Pasadena

This August, the people of Pasadena will have another reason to be proud when the Project HOUSED Pasadena celebrates its second year anniversary. At least twice in the past two years, the project was featured in local newspapers (Pasadena Star-News, December 2011 and Pasadena Sun, May 2013), and for good reason.

The project is part of the nationwide 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement to find homes for 100K most vulnerable homeless persons by 2013. In Pasadena, volunteers used a vulnerability index survey to identify these persons, including those most likely at risk of dying on the streets of Pasadena. Once identified, they are then housed and receive the supportive services necessary to remain housed and integrate into the community.

Thus far, more than 40 homeless persons have received housing and supportive services. These formerly homeless individuals now have a place to call home and a platform for building a new life.  It's all thanks to the selfless service of case workers, volunteers, and staff from faith-based communities, local government, social service providers, and businesses that many lives have been saved and many more will be touched. More information about Project HOUSED Pasadena can be found on the web at
urban-initiatives.org/phhn/ProjectHousedPasadena.html or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ProjectHOUSEDPasadena to get updates and read stories of some of the individuals whose lives have been transformed.

HASLO Celebrates Family Self-Sufficiency Graduates
Housing Authority San Luis Obisbo (HASLO) had a great group of spring graduates from its Family Self-Sufficiency Program, including Bridget Olivarez and Rudy Cerda. Both are pictured here receiving their Program diplomas and escrow savings checks.

HASLO has started a tradition of acknowledging graduates at its Board of Commissioners meetings. Ms. Olivarez is office manager at a local medical firm. She plans to utilize her escrow savings to put her son through college. Mr. Cerda is a certified welder at a local manufacturing company. He plans to utilize his savings to assist with purchase of a home.

We congratulate these graduates on their success!

HASLO Completed 1st Phase of Homeownership Project

HASLO recently ventured into the homeownership arena, and completed 12 units in Moylan Terrace, an 80 unit homeownership project. The 12 units comprise phase 1 of the project. All 12 units sold quickly, and HASLO plans to begin construction on an additional 24 units this summer. The project's goal is to provide homeownership to lower income families, while at the same time de-concentrating poverty. There are unit set-asides in the project for very low, low, moderate and above moderate-income buyers.

Tenants from the Public Housing and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs will have the opportunity to purchase homes in this development.

The 12 units comprise phase 1 of the project. All 12 units sold quickly, and HASLO plans to begin construction on an additional 24 units this summer. The project's goal is to provide homeownership to lower income families, while at the same time de-concentrating poverty. There are unit set-asides in the project for very low, low, moderate and above moderate-income buyers.

Father's Day Event at Housing Authority of County of Kern

The Housing Authority of the County of Kern held Father's Day events at two Public Housing developments: Little Village on June 14 and Adelante Vista on June 15. This is the third year the Housing Authority has hosted this event and it received great response from residents.  Housing Authority of the County of Kern was one of 322 housing agencies in the country that participated in HUD's Father's Day Initiative this year. The initiative was developed in response to socio-economic data indicating children and youth are being negatively affected by father absent homes. The Father's Day event is a joint community effort providing important resources such as job training, legal services, and health checks for fathers and their families. The objective is to empower fathers to achieve a more stable future for their families. For more information about the Father's Day Initiative, please visit HUD's web at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/hope6/css/rfd

SMOKE-FREE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING WOULD SAVE $521 MILLION A YEAR

Source: Press Release April 16, 2013 from Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

In a new study it conducted, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that the estimated annual cost savings from eliminating smoking in all U.S. subsidized housing would be $521 million. The study estimates this cost could be saved by prohibiting smoking in subsidized housing, including Public Housing and other rental assistance programs. The bulk of those annual savings ($341 million) would come from reduced health care expenditures related to secondhand smoke. The study also estimates savings of $108 million in annual renovation expenses and $72 million in annual smoking related fire losses.

As a result of the study, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has encouraged public housing authorities, as well as owners and managers of multi-family housing rental assistance programs, to adopt smoke-free policies in their properties. As of January 2012, more than 250 public housing authorities have gone smoke-free. But overall, only a small percentage of public housing authorities have implemented smoke-free policies. Educating housing owners/managers and residents about the health and economic benefits of prohibiting smoking, as well as providing resources and information on quitting smoking could help increase the number of subsidized housing residents protected by smoke-free policies.

"This new study reinforces the importance of the Housing and Urban Development initiative to promote the adoption of smoke-free housing policies in public housing and other federally-assisted multifamily housing," said Sandra Henriquez, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. "We have seen considerable momentum in the number of public housing agencies across the country adopting this policy, which saves health and housing costs, in places like Boston, San Antonio, Seattle, and all public housing in the state of Maine."

To learn more about the benefits of smoke-free policies, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco. For information on quitting smoking call (800) QUIT-NOW / (800)784-8669). Also, visit www.BeTobaccoFree.gov for information on quitting and preventing children from using tobacco. For stories of people who have quit successfully, visit http://www.cdc.gov/tips.

Helpful Resource Links

Two Year Forecasting Tool - PHA staff can use this tool to forecast the relationship between current HCV leasing and future funding. - http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv

REAC Technical Assistance Center - The Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) Technical Assistance Center analyses data and develops objective performance scores. PHA staff can use the REAC technical assistance for helpful links. http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/reac/support/tac

POST - At the POST Website, PHA staff can obtain quick access to PIH systems, tools, training opportunities, program requirements, commonly used external websites, PIH contacts for using Public Housing one stop tool.http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/post

HUD Monitoring of PHA Program Compliance

As part of its internal control efforts, the Department‘s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) continuously monitors the timeliness and accuracy of tenant information reported to the Public and Indian Housing Information Center (PIC). REAC performs data comparisons of tenant information reported in PIC to data obtained from other Federal databases to validate the accuracy of tenant-reported Social Security Numbers (SSNs), names, and date of birth. The intended outcome of this monitoring is to identify, reduce, and recover improper payments within HUD's rental assistance programs; improve the accuracy and integrity of tenant data; and to verify Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) compliance with PIC reporting and use of the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system.

What REAC monitors and what the PHAs should be monitoring on a monthly (m) or quarterly (q) basis:

PIC Delinquency Report (m)

PIC Rexam Report (m)

EIV PHA Usage Report

EIV Deceased Tenants Report (m)

EIV Identity Verification Report (m)

EIV Multiple Subsidy Report (q)

EIV Immigration Report (m)

EIV Income Report (m)

Tenant Unreported Income (m)

If further assistance and/ or questions regarding the notice of deficiencies for the reports due by the respective deadlines, please contact Martha.E.Murillo@hud.gov.

HUD Secure System Password Reset

Please be advised that your HUD-PIH EIV Coordinator or agency User Administrator cannot reset your HUD Secure System password. For password resets, you must go to: https://hudapps.hud.gov/reac/wass/resetPwd.html, and provide the requested information and then click on the Reset Password button at the bottom of the form.

In an effort to further protect the privacy and security of data submitted to REAC by our business partners, Secure Systems passwords will begin to expire every sixty (60) calendar days. The 60-day clock will start ticking the first time a user logs in to Secure Systems on or after April 5, 2005. When a user's password expires, he/she will be presented with the "Change Password" page instead of the Secure Systems main menu. All Secure Connection users will be required to create a new password at each expiration notice.

Note: Passwords must be eight (8) characters in length, should be comprised of both mixed case letters and numbers, and are case sensitive. The new password must be different from the last ten passwords the user has had. Each time a password is changed, the 60-day clock resets.

If you require additional assistance, you may contact the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Their contact information is available online at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/reac/support/tac.cfm.

EIV DEBTS OWED & TERMINATION MODULE - REINSTATEMENT OF DELETED RECORDS

Effective with the May 6, 2013 EIV 9.5 Release, HUD automatically deletes 50058 records in the Debts Owed/Termination module if the EOP dates are more than 60 days old. As a result, when a PHA User attempts to records Debts Owed amounts or termination information for these expired records, the EIV Debts Owed/Termination module delivers the following message:

"You are not authorized to enter/update information for the SSN entered"

The "not authorized" response is not an EIV error. It is an EIV system functionality change for the Debts Owed/Termination module.

When PHA Users are not allowed to enter a record or records in the Debts Owed module, a check on the EOP date will help them figure out that it's not an error but a System Functionality. 

Although PHA Users are not able to access deleted records, the records still reside in the EIV system. They are identified as "HUD Deleted Records".

To access the records, PHA Users will need to request that a REAC-EIV System Administrator reinstate the deleted EOP(s).

The process for requesting reinstatement of HUD Deleted Records is as follows:

PHA Users prepares a request for reinstatement that includes: (i) number of records to be reinstated, (ii) EOP date of each record and, (iii) SSN for each Head of Household.

PHA User submits the request to its local HUD Field Office EIV Coordinator.

Local HUD Field Office reviews the request and submits the request with the Field Office recommendation to EIV Help Mailbox.

REAC-EIV System Administrator will review the request and make a decision whether to reinstate all or some of the deleted records.

REAC-EIV System Administrator will convey its decision to the local HUD Field Office and Local HUD Field Office will convey the decision to the requesting PHA User.

Reinstatement of deleted records will consist of moving the 50058 records back into the Debts Owed/Termination Module and enabling the requesting PHA User to access the records and enter the Debts Owed/Termination information.

It is important for PHA Users to record the information shortly after the REAC-EIV System Administrator makes them available in order to prevent the records from being automatically deleted again.

Take Notice of PIH Notices!

PIH 2013-10 (HA)

Issued: May 3, 2013
Expires: This notice remains in effect until amended, revoked or superseded

Emergency Safety and Security Funding as it Relates to the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 [Public Law 113-6] - This Notice provides guidance to public housing agencies (PHAs) seeking Emergency Capital Needs funding for safety and security measures utilizing FY 2013 funds.

PIH 2013-11

Issued: May 10, 2013
Expires: This notice remains in effect until amended, superseded or revoked

Process for Requesting Subsidy Layering Reviews - This notice provides instructions for submitting requests for Subsidy Layering Reviews (SLRs) to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in accordance with the Administrative Guidelines; Subsidy Layering Reviews for Proposed Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-16827.pdf), Final Guidelines published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2010 (FR-5417-N-01).

PIH 2013-12

Issued: May 23, 2013
Expires: Dec. 31, 2013

Implementation of the Federal Fiscal Year 2013 Funding Provisions for the Housing Choice Voucher Program- This Notice implements the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program funding provisions of the "Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013" (PL 113-6), referred to hereafter as "the 2013 Act," enacted on March 26, 2013.

PIH 2013-13 (HA)

Issued: June 1, 2013
Expires: Aug. 31, 2013

Extension: Administrative Guidance for Effective and Mandated Use of the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System- This notice provides Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) with administrative guidance related to the mandated use of HUD's EIV system, as required in accordance with the new HUD regulation, 24 CFR §5.233, as issued in the Final Rule: Refinement of Income and Rent Determinations in Public and Assisted Housing Programs: Implementation of the Enterprise Income Verification System-Amendments, effective January 31, 2010, as published in the Federal Register (FR) at 74 FR 68924, on December 29, 2009.

PIH 2013-14

Issued: June 10, 2013
Expires: This notice remains in effect until amended, revoked or superseded

Disaster Housing Assistance Program - Sandy (DHAP-Sandy) Operating Requirements - These operating requirements set forth the policies and procedures for the Disaster Housing Assistance Program- Sandy (DHAP-Sandy).

PIH 2013-15 (HA)

Issued: June 10, 2013
Expires: This notice remains in effect until amended, superseded or rescinded

Guidance on housing individuals and families experiencing homelessness through the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs- The purpose of this Notice is to provide strategies that PHAs can pursue to expand housing opportunities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness through the Public Housing and HCV programs.

PIH 2013-16

Issued: June 25, 2013
Expires: This notice remains in effect until amended, superseded or rescinded

Public Housing Operating Subsidy Eligibility Calculations for Calendar Year 2014- This notice provides public housing agencies (PHAs) with instructions for the calculation of operating subsidy eligibility in Calendar Year (CY) 2014.

PIH 2013-17

Issued: July 2, 2013
Expires: This notice remains in effect until amended, superseded or rescinded Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program - Review of Existing HQS Requirements and the Use of Photos to Improve HQS oversight - This purpose of this Notice is to emphasize the need for PHAs to ensure they are meeting all of their program obligations as they relate to HQS inspections and enforcement.

Proactive Exchange

On May 7, 2013, the 3rd Quarter 2013 Proactive Exchange was hosted by the Los Angeles Office of Public Housing. Housing Authorities from Southern California gathered at the HUD Los Angeles Field Office, the HUD Santa Ana Field Office, and the HUD San Diego Field Office to share ideas and information regarding the administration of our programs.

The following topics were discussed by Housing Authority and HUD staff:

New 2013 HCV Set Aside Funding Category - Termination Prevention, Laura Lennox, Financial Analyst

Fraud Awareness for Case workers, Robert Chavez, Housing Supervisor, Redondo Beach Housing Authority

Introduction to Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), MayfelisaMiso, Public Housing Revitalization Specialist

Maximizing PHAS Financial Score, David Chang, CPA, Director Financial Management, Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles

HUD Perspective On Public Housing Financial Areas, Laura Lennox, Financial Analyst, and Stephen Kidd, Program Analyst

Portfolio Management - PHAS Update, Christopher Granger, Portfolio Management Specialist

The next Proactive Exchange is September 17 at 10:00 am at 611 W. 6th Street, Suite 813, Los Angeles, CA 90017. We encourage your participation in this event where valuable information is shared. We always welcome ideas and suggestions. Please contact Maria Granata at maria.j.granata@hud.gov, or at (213) 534-2491 to submit ideas or suggestions, or for more information.

Some topics that will be presented in the September 17th Proactive Exchange will be:

Smoke-Free Housing-Presented by Karen Griego-West, HUD Healthy Homes Representative.

Report by Anaheim Housing Authority on HUD HQ Housing Quality Standard (HQS) testing.

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