Northwest Notes

Office of Public Housing

Region X - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
FY2008 Quarter III - May 23, 2008

The Director's Corner
As spring unfolds it's good to take a moment to reflect on previous accomplishments. Please join us in congratulating our colleagues and partners on page 9 of this issue, all of whom achieved excellence on Real Estate Assessment Center inspections during 2007.

Your daily efforts are appreciated and continue to make the Northwest/Alaska Public Housing HUB one of the best in the nation. Thank you all for a job well done!

On behalf of Office of Public Housing team members in the Seattle, Portland and Anchorage offices, we hope this newsletter is helpful to you.

Enterprise Income Verification Training

(L) Alice Ford, Public Housing Program Analyst in the Portland Program Center (in red), with Nicole Faison, Director of Public Housing Programs, HUD Headquarters. (R) Some of the 65 + attendees in Portland.

Nicole Faison, Director of Public Housing Programs from HUD HQ, conducted Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) training sessions to HUD staff and PHAs in Portland on 04/16 and in Seattle on 04/17. Ms. Faison was awarded the prestigious Service to America Medal in September 2007 for her role in creating the web-based, state-of-the-art database that helps PHAs across the country better manage HUD's rental assistance programs.

Although use of EIV is not mandated, HUD strongly urges PHAs to take advantage of EIV's capabilities to help avoid potentially costly errors in calculation of income and rents.

Ms. Faison gave guidance on many aspects of the EIV process including access ports, information security, and third-party verification procedures.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
In the wake of recent natural disasters, we all see the need to be prepared for emergency situations by assembling basic supplies and creating an emergency response plan. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/) offers a comprehensive emergency preparedness guide to the public that is free, available in English and Spanish. PHAs may wish to provide this information to residents.

Every PHA should prepare a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).

At a minimum, your COOP should cover:

• How your PHA will continue to conduct day-to-day operations in an emergency situation
• Your PHA's operating plan in the event office or housing facilities are unusable 
• How your PHA will continue to meet payroll, reimburse vendors, safeguard agency records, and meet overall mission goals 

Read these resources for preparing a realistic business COOP (http://www.ready.gov/business/plan/planning.html) . Additional resources may also be available from your State or local emergency response officials.

A COOP should be developed, practiced and perfected BEFORE an emergency strikes. Start today!

Section 3 Primer

1. Section 3 is a provision requiring PHAs and other grantees, to the greatest extent feasible, to provide job training, employment, and contracting opportunities for low- or very-low income residents. Section 3 applies to HUD-funded assistance for developing, operating, and modernization of PH units.
2. Section 3 eligible residents are PH residents or persons who live in the area where a HUD-assisted project is located who have a household income that falls within HUD's income limits.
3. PHAs are required to report on Section 3 activity annually. Reporting is accomplished electronically. Learn more about Section 3.

Lead Based Paint Reporting
Lead Based Paint concerns may be brought to the attention of PHAs from a public health department or a medical health care provider. PHAs are required to report each known case of a child with Environmental Intervention Blood Lead Level (EIBLL) to the HUD Field Office using form HUD-52850 (Annual Lead-Based Paint Activity Report) for pre-1978 developments in the low-rent public housing program 30 days after fiscal year end (24 CFR Part 35.1130(e) and under the HCV program regulations (24 CFR Part 35.1225(f)). See complete details for compliance with the Lead Safe Housing Rule.

DO YOU HAVE DUPLICATE BULDING NUMBERS IN PIC?
Development Number Transition Update

The transition to new development numbers in PIC has been completed for active PHAs. In accordance with PIH Notice 2007-28, duplicate building numbers were transitioned to "B_0001". To see if any of your buildings were re-numbered this way, take a look at the new Duplicate Building Mapping Report. The report is located in the Housing Authority sub-module in PIC. Click the "Trans. to New Dev. Nos." tab, then click "Duplicate Building Report" and generate the report. If any of your buildings were converted to the "B_0001" format, they will be listed. If none of your building numbers were converted this way, the system will say "Duplicate Building Mapping Information cannot be found for the selected PHA".

If you have duplicate building numbers listed, you must change the corresponding building numbers in your own database to match the ones in the report in order to successfully submit Form 50058 data for that building.

If you want to change system-assigned numbers, you will need to request the change using a special spreadsheet template, which you can get from your PIC Coach. Submit the change request template via email to REAC_TAC@hud.gov.

PIC users will be able to submit tenant data in Form 50058 and MTW using either the old or the new development numbers for a period of approximately one year (until the spring 2009 IMS-PIC release). Thank you for your patience in this complex and lengthy process. Contact your HUD PIC Coach for more information!

MAXIMIZE LEVERAGE!
HUD's Capital Fund Financing Program (CFFP) represents a viable development strategy for your PHA. CFFP can even be combined with Low Income Housing Tax Credits (commonly referred to as "lights.") Learn more about CFFP on HUD's website.

ABOUT LIHTC
The IRS allocates LIHTC to State Housing Credit Agencies (HCAs). HCAs award those LIHTC to for-profit and non-profit affordable housing developers, including PHAs. Developers use the equity capital generated from the sale of LIHTC to lower the debt burden on tax credit properties, making it easier to offer more affordable housing. Many states also offer LIHTC which can be combined with federal LIHTC to foster even more affordable housing!

LIHTC developments set aside either 40 percent of units for residents earning no more than 60 percent of the area's median income, or 20 percent of the units for residents earning 50 percent or less of the area's median income. Units are subject to rent restrictions regarding the maximum gross rent that can be charged, including an allowance for utilities. Units must be restricted to occupancy by income-eligible households for at least 30 years.

CFFP + LIHTC = LEVERAGE
Consider what combining CFFP and LIHTC could mean to your PHA. HUD's LIHTC database (http://www.huduser.org/datasets/lihtc.html) contains comprehensive information on 27,410 projects and 1,530,000 affordable housing units placed into service using LIHTC between 1987 and 2005.

Find info on upcoming Maximizing Leveraging Conferences on our website.

VASH VOUCHERS AWARDED
On Monday, May 5, 2008, HUD announced that 10 housing authorities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington will receive $2,625,626 in rental assistance to provide permanent housing for 440 homeless veterans through the HUD- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).

HUD will provide housing assistance through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program which allows participants to rent privately owned housing.  The VA will offer eligible homeless veterans clinical and supportive services through its medical centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The HUD-VASH program combines HUD HCV rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at its medical centers and in the community. Ongoing VA case management, health, and other supportive services will be made available to homeless veterans at as many as 132 VA Medical Center (VAMC) supportive services sites across the nation.

• In Alaska, the Alaska Housing Finance Agency will receive $263,066 to house 35 homeless veterans served by the VA in Anchorage. 

• In Idaho, the Boise housing authority will receive $107,848 to house 20 veterans served by the VA's Boise medical center. 

• In Oregon, the Portland housing authority will receive $469,098 to house 70 veterans served by Portland's VA medical center, the Douglas County authority will receive $133,736 to house 35 veterans served by Roseburg's VA center and the Jackson County authority will receive $173,809 to house 35 veterans served by White City's VA center.

• In Washington, the Seattle housing authority will receive $406,511 to house 53 veterans served by Seattle's VA medical center, the King County authority will receive $431,621 to house 53 veterans also served by the Seattle center, the Pierce County authority will receive $225.901 to house 35 veterans served by Tacoma's VA center, the Spokane authority will receive $165,635 to house 35 veterans serve by Spokane's VA center and the Walla Walla authority will receive $278,670 to house 70 veterans served by Walla Walla's VA center.

Put Your Energy Into Savings
One PHA's Success Story

FROM THE PUBLIC HOUSING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CLEARINGHOUSE (PHECC) NEWSLETTER, MARCH 2008 EDITION

EcoWise:

Here's a short success story that I would like to share. Besides changing most incandescent bulbs to fluorescent bulbs in our facility, we recently completed a Capital Fund project relating to hallway lighting in our two story elderly housing facility. We took down the old fixtures which held two - 40 watt soft white tubes with a magnetic ballast and replaced them with electronic ballast Energy Star fixtures which use only 1 - 34 watt "daylight" bulb. The hallways are much brighter than before with cleaner looking walls and carpeting, plus saving us some "bucks."

Having just completed a full year with the new lighting, records indicate a decrease in electrical consumption of 14,843 kwh and a savings of $1,706.95.

This all took place without an EPC, just some common sense planning by the electrical contractor and myself.

Jerry Foster
Executive Director
Fremont Housing Authority
Fremont, IN

HELP RESIDENTS HELP YOU!
$ummer Energy $aving Tips

• Residents can keep cool and save money in the summer by following some simple energy-saving advice. You can download an advisory flyer, available in English and Spanish, from our website.

Post it on bulletin boards or slide it under residents' doors to encourage savings!

STAY CURRENT
Access a calendar of upcoming energy events around the country as well as HUD energy webcasts. Visit the Public Housing Environmental Conservation Clearinghouse website frequently and stay current!

2004 and 2006 CAPITAL FUND DEADLINES ARE FAST APPROACHING!
The 90% obligation deadline for 2006 CFP is 07/17/2008 and must be certified in LOCCS. The expenditure deadline for 2004 CFP is 09/13/08 and must be certified in LOCCS.

Don't let a missed deadline jeopardize future CFP availability to your PHA!

IT'S SUPERNOFA TIME!
HUD's 2008 SuperNOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) (http://www.grants.gov/) is up and running!

FY 08 Public Housing Grant opportunities include:

• Hope VI Revitalization Grant Program
• Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinators Program
• Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program
• Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

At http://www.grants.gov/ you'll find detailed instructions on how, when and where to apply for these grants.
 
If your organization has never applied for HUD SuperNOFA funds, you'll also find instructions on putting your organization in a position to apply and compete for HUD funds.

CAPITAL FUNDING ROLLOUT 2008
The 08 CFP funding process is underway! See guidance from our Office of Capital Investment for complete information on grant awards and ACC Amendments.

HUD Field Offices must receive three signed copies of each grant ACC Amendment awarded to your Agency, no later than close of business June 6, 2008.

DEMO-DISPO TRAINING 05/29/08
Ainars Rodins, Director of HUD's Special Applications Center (SAC), will be providing training to Northwest PHAs regarding the demolition/disposition process of removing units from inventory.

Because asset-based management helps define developments that are a financial burden, more PHA's are looking to use the demo/dispo process to fine tune their real estate portfolios. Take advantage of this training opportunity!

Thursday, May 29, 2008, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Vancouver Housing Authority
2500 Main Street
Vancouver, WA

You must pre-register for the training.

NEED A FAIR HOUSING LOGO FOR YOUR PHA'S PUBLICATIONS?
FREE DOWNLOADS ARE JUST A FEW CLICKS AWAY!

• OPEN YOUR WEB BROWSER TO HTTP://WWW.HUD.GOV AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
• CLICK ON THE RED EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY LOCAL IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER
• A NEW WINDOW WILL OPEN OFFERING 9 VERSIONS OF THE EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY LOGO IN VARIOUS SIZES
• RIGHT CLICK ON THE LOGO OF YOUR CHOICE TO SAVE IT IN .GIF FORMAT, OR CHOOSE FROM THE OTHER GRAPHIC FORMATS LISTED WITH EACH LOGO

Update!
The Special Applications Center has improved its website to offer quicker access to the most recent demolition/disposition guidance updates, including:

• New Eminent Domain Notice 2008-2
• Technical Corrections to the Demolition Rule (24 CFR 970)
• Revised forms for all SAC application types: HUD 52860, parts B, C, D, E & F

Visit the new and improved SAC website today!

Subscribe to this Newsletter
Our Northwest Notes Newsletter is issued quarterly and is intended to provide helpful information and share knowledge about Public Housing programs throughout the Northwest/Alaska Public Housing family. You can subscribe to receive this Newsletter via email, or manage an existing email subscription.

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership Stats

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PHAs WITH ZERO INOPERABLE SMOKE DETECTORS ON 2007 REAC INSPECTIONS!

• PATRICIA CALLAGHAN and STAFF, AMERICAN FALLS
• THERESA M. McCALLUM and STAFF, ANACORTES
• KURT WIEST and STAFF, BREMERTON
• TRELL ANDERSON and STAFF, CLACKAMAS COUNTY
• PAMELA TIETZ and STAFF, HA COUNTY OF CLALLAM
• NED BERMAN and STAFF, COOS-CURRY HOUSING AUTHORITY
• GERALD HUNTER and STAFF, IDAHO HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
• MARION OLMSTED and STAFF, KELSO
• KARLENE NAVARRE and STAFF, KENNEWICK
• PERRY ROWE and STAFF, HA of KITTITAS COUNTY
• DENNIS KILFOIL and STAFF, MARION COUNTY
• ALAN HANKS and STAFF, OTHELLO
• BOBBIE LITTRELL and STAFF, HA CITY OF PASCO AND FRANKLIN COUNTY
• DON THOMPSON and STAFF, POCATELLO
• JERRY CROFT and STAFF, HOUSING AUTHORITY OF SALEM
• STEPHEN NORMAN and STAFF, SEDRO WOOLLEY
• ROBERT E. DAVIS and STAFF, HA OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY
• LINDA JENNINGS and STAFF, WEST VALLEY HOUSING AUTHORITY

AND LOOK WHO ACHIEVED ZERO LIFE-THREATENING EXIGENT HEALTH AND SAFETY FINDINGS ON 2007 REAC INSPECTIONS!

• PAMELA TIETZ and STAFF, HA COUNTY OF CLALLAM
• NED BEMAN and STAFF, COOS-CURRY HOUSING AUTHORITY
• MARION OLMSTED and STAFF, KELSO
• KARLENE NAVARRE and STAFF, KENNEWICK
• DENNIS KILFOIL and STAFF, MARION COUNTY
• STEPHEN NORMAN and STAFF, SEDRO WOOLLEY
• STEVE CERVANTES and STAFF, SPOKANE
• LINDA JENNINGS and STAFF, WEST VALLEY HOUSING AUTHORITY
• ELISE HUI and STAFF, YAMHILL COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

Recently Published Guidance
For a complete list of Federal Register and Notices published, please visit HUDCLIPS.

E-Memos (electronic memoranda)

Important Dates
Please Note: All dates subject to change. Refer to program websites for information and complete list of forms due!!!

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