Northwest Notes

Office of Public Housing

Region X - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
FY 2009, Quarter IV

The Director's Corner
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - Public Housing Capital Fund Recovery Competition Grants
In September 2009, nine PHAs in Region X were awarded 29 grants totaling $65.4M of the $995M available. Fifteen grants totaling $5.4M were awarded under Category 1 - E: Improvements Address the needs of the Elderly and/or Persons with Disabilities; one grant of $10M was awarded under Category 2 - T: Public Housing Transformation; three grants totaling $12M were awarded under Category 3 - F: Gap Financing for Projects that are Stalled Due to Financing; three grants totaling $21.3M were awarded under Category 4 Option 1 - G: Creation of Energy Efficient, Green Communities; seven grants totaling $16.2M were awarded under Category 4 Option 2 - R: Creation of Energy Efficient, Green Communities. Congratulations to Region X PHAs and their communities!

On behalf of Office of Public Housing team members in the Seattle, Portland & Anchorage offices, we hope this newsletter is helpful to you. Let me know if there are items you would like to see in future newsletters.

Harlan Stewart
Director, Office of Public Housing
Region X, Northwest/Alaska Office

Tacoma HA's Salishan Ribbon Cutting
On Wednesday, August 12th, the HUD Seattle Field Office was cordially invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for Phase II of the Tacoma Housing Authority development Salishan, an awarding winning and exemplary mixed-finance redevelopment sparked by a 35 million dollar HOPE VI grant in 2000. The ceremony celebrated the completion of vital infrastructure, 270 units of affordable rental housing, and the Community Health Care Kimi and Dr. George Tanbara Medical-Dental Clinic. Plans were also shared for upcoming construction of 182 single family homes, a 55 unit apartment building for seniors, as well as a three story, 36,000 Square Feet Education, Training and Retail Center that will include a public library, banking facilities, and a grocery store, in addition to two floors dedicated to programming that will enhance training and education capabilities for children and adults.

A diverse crowd including HUD officers, Salishan residents, local and state government officials, construction workers, and community and development partners gathered on a grassy open space surrounded by the newly constructed affordable rental units giving the day an air of a community barbeque. Those that could not find a seat underneath the shade of tent stood from outside to listen to the words of adoration and congratulations from Senator Patty Murray, Congressman Norm Dicks, State Senator Debbie Regala, Tacoma Mayor and Deputy Mayor Bill Baarsma and Julie Anderson. Tacoma Councilman Rick Talbert recalled to the crowd memories of playing on the fields of the old Salishan when it was still what was supposed to be temporary shipyard worker housing built in 1942.

The afternoon's highlight came when Tacoma Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Mirra introduced a nervous and excited Salishan resident, and mother of three, Lisa Miller. "Against every fiber in me I applied to receive public housing and live in Salishan. Yet, the day I got my keys I was THRILLED - it was like being on extreme home makeover- shiny -new house, new house smell, AND big-big big. And WOW I could afford the rent. LIBERATION!" she exclaimed, and then continued to light up the crowd with a balance of humor and touching sentiments as she shared her experiences at the new Salishan.

"I could go on and on but I am not here to sell you on Salishan- it isn't for sale. The most priceless things are the things you'll never get to see unless you live here. It's me forgetting to take my trash bin to the curb but my neighbor has my back and takes it out for me. It's having my neighbor bringing me over food 'cause I need some meat on my bones! It's hearing kids tell other kids to PICK their trash up or to stay out of the flowers-after you swear you telling them fell upon deaf ears. It's watching the kids skateboard through the streets-doing tricks, showing off, laughing, BEING KIDS. Salishan translates from Salish to mean 'people of many colors'. THIS IS THE COMMUNITY OF THE FUTURE UNFOLDING RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!"

The delighted crowd stood in standing ovation for Lisa, who is an active member of the Salishan Community Association and board member for the Eastside Neighborhood Advisory Council. Her speech encapsulated the spirit of the celebration and of Tacoma Housing Authority's Salishan as a whole, which by 2011 will have replaced 855 units of deteriorated public housing with new infrastructure, 1,200-1,300 dwelling units, parks, playgrounds, a new elementary and middle school, and a neighborhood core that ensures its residents have access to proper education, training, social and community services.

The People's Garden comes to Clackamas County
In February 2009 the U.S. Department of Agriculture began creating an organic People's Garden on the National Mall to model USDA's innovative policy of taking creative steps to ensure healthier lives for American citizens while promoting sustainability, conservation and growing methods. The name of the garden was inspired by Abraham Lincoln, who founded the Department of Agriculture in 1862 and called it the People's Department. One of the goals of the People's Garden project is to spread the message to communities on how they can start their own gardens.

Following the USDA's lead, an organic garden was built in Clacka-mas County at Clackamas Heights, a public housing development in Or-egon City. Housing Authority Resident Services staff started the project by assembling a group of public housing residents, community agencies and community groups to develop a garden plan and raise funds for the project. The project became a reality when the City of Oregon City awarded a Metro Enhancement Grant to the Housing Authority along with Social Services of Clackamas County to build the garden. Several agencies and groups worked together to establish the gar-den and provide on-going education and assistance. 7-Dees Nursery donated the time of one of their garden designer.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funding from the Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County allowed C-TEC Youth Services to contract with Community Solutions for Clackamas County to hire a crew of 10 youths and one adult project coordinator to build the garden. The Clackamas Heights Community Family Club of Mt. Hood Council of Camp Fire created signage and garden art for the garden. The Oregon City Park Place Neighborhood Association and the Oregon State Extension Service are providing gardening consultation and educational workshops. Oregon City Community Schools is conducting gardening and green school activities for youths living in the neighbor-hood, and local businesses offer free and/or reduced-cost garden supplies and materials.

Completed at the end of August 2009, what once was an empty field is now a beautiful community space with raised garden beds, an in-ground children's/community garden bed, small fruit trees, pollinator-friendly native plants, tool shed, compost bin, vegetable washing sink, walking paths, benches, and garden art. Next year's growth will include blueberries, grapes, kiwi, pomegranate and dwarf fruit trees.

Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers Featured at Forum
A Washington State Housing-Child Welfare Partnership Forum was held on August 12, 2009 at the Nia Apartments in the King County Housing Authority's Greenbridge campus. The forum focused on addressing housing-related issues for children and families involved in the child welfare system. Discussed were challenges parents and social workers face and the work underway in Washington State to address housing needs. The forum also highlighted work of the King County and Tacoma Housing Authorities and their child welfare partners to secure 150 new HUD FUP vouchers to reunite families in Washington State. Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Jim McDermott were honored at a morning press conference for their extraordinary efforts to expand housing options for families and youth in the child welfare system. Local and national experts joined Representatives Ruth Kagi and Tina Orwall to discuss the critical role that stable housing plays in preventing homelessness and ensuring family preservation.

Laure Rawson, Director, HUD Housing Voucher Management and Operations Division, in D.C. was also in attendance. Ms. Rawson formerly worked in the Seattle HUD Office of Public Housing, and facilitated the "Housing Solutions for Child Welfare Families" session of the forum.

Public Housing Non-Smoking Policies
Notice PIH-2009-21 issued July 17, 2009 encourages Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to implement non-smoking policies in some or all of their public housing units.

The Notice provides background about second hand smoke and information about the physical effects of second hand smoke, smoking material fires, and ensuring indoor air quality. Also included in the Notice is a link to information from the Sanford Maine Housing Authority that compares maintenance costs for a smoking unit compared to a non-smoking unit.

PHAs should note that proposed non-smoking policies must be discussed with residents, and once adopted, the PHA's Annual Plan and the applicable lease should be updated to reflect the non-smoking policy requirements.

REAC Prevalence Reports
REAC periodically e-mails Prevalence Reports to PHA Executive Director. The Prevalence Report records common systemic deficiencies cited by REAC inspectors over the PHA's entire physical portfolio. Use this helpful planning tool for developing future maintenance and modernization activities for your PHA.

Capital Fund Financing Program (CFFP)
We've all heard it said that time is money. PHAs may not have enough funds in a single year to be able to make all of the improvements necessary to adequately maintain their public housing. As a result, these projects tend to be accomplished over the span of several years, while the purchasing power of the initial funding dwindles.

By taking advantage of the Capital Fund Financing Program, a PHA may borrow private capital to make all of the improvements at once and pledge, subject to the availability of appropriations, a portion of its future Capital Funds to make debt service payments for either a bond or conventional bank loan transaction.

Why not explore the possibility of turning money into time using the CFFP? Details are available online.

Lead-based Paint Reporting Requirements
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).

Additionally, lead based paint reporting is required under the HCV program regulations at 24 CFR Part 35.1225(f). See the example tool-kit at Appendix 2, PIH Guidance on the Lead-Safe Housing Rule and Lead Disclosure Rule for Field Office Guide as an illustration and complete details regarding compliance with the Lead Safe Housing Rule.

Energy Star
Check out the guidelines for developing an energy management plan for your PHA, available from the following website (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=guidelines.guidelines_index).
Available resources include an Excel-based assessment tool, as well as a wealth of ideas for short and long term energy savings. Saving energy saves money!

Planning bulk purchases of energy star rated items? Take advantage of Energy Star's quantity quotes website (http://www.quantityquotes.net/default.aspx).

HUD's EcoWise Environmental Newsletter is another valuable resource available online.

Section 3 Reporting
The Section 3 program requires that recipients of certain HUD financial assistance, to the greatest extent possible, provide job training, employment, and contract opportunities for low- or very-low income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods

Each recipient of Section 3 covered HUD financial assistance shall submit an annual report to the Assistant Secretary for the purpose of determining the effectiveness of Section 3 (HUD form 60002). Section 3 summary reports are required even if the recipient agency did not undertake any activities that triggered the requirements.

Section 3 reports can be submitted online.

Helping Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Participants to "Port"
The portability procedures outlined in HUD's regulations at §982.355(c)(2) and (3) can support a Section 8 HCV family's efforts to move from one housing authority's jurisdiction to another. These regulations state that:

• the initial PHA must advise the family how to contact and request assistance from the receiving PHA;
• the initial PHA must promptly notify the receiving PHA to expect the family; and
• the family must promptly contact the receiving PHA and comply with the receiving PHA's procedures for income portable families.

PHA Plan modifications
PHA's may modify, amend or change any policy, rule, or other aspect of its plan at any time. However, if the modification is considered a "significant amendment" or "substantial deviation" as defined by the PHA, then the PHA must comply with a number of requirements similar to the PHA Plan submission. The PHA must provide its definition of significant amendment and substantial deviation in Section 10B of the PHA Plan template or as an attachment to the PHA Plan.

Significant amendments or substantial deviations are subject to the following requirements:

• The PHA must consult with its Resident Advisory Board (RAB);
• The PHA must ensure consistency with the Consolidated Plan of the jurisdiction(s) (as defined in 24 CFR 903.15); and
• The PHA must provide for a review of the amendments/modifications by the public during a 45-day public review period.
• The PHA may not adopt the amendment or modification until the PHA has duly called a meeting of its Board of Directors, which must be open to the public.
• The PHA may not implement the amendment or modification until notification is provided to HUD and approved by HUD in accordance with HUD's plan review procedures (24 CFR 903.23).

Keeping Current in PIC

• Reminder to keep HA contact information updated in the Housing Authority sub-module in PIC. It is important to not only keep the Executive Director information updated but also any other pertinent staff members.
• It is no longer necessary to include food stamp information and then exclude it on the 50058.

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

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