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Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the Section 8 Program 5-Year and 2026 Annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (the Department) operates as a PHA;
WHEREAS, 42 U.S.C §1437(c-1) (a) and (b) require PHAs to submit both a 5-Year Plan and an annual PHA Plan that have been made available for public comment; and
WHEREAS, the Department last prepared a 5-Year Plan in 2021, and therefore needs to prepare and release for comment its 5-Year Plan which includes the 2026 Annual Public Housing Agency (PHA);
Now, therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Department’s 5-Year Plan, including the 2026 Annual PHA Plan, is hereby approved in the form presented to this meeting to be made available for public comment and this approval includes authorization to continue to identify Project Access as a preference population for vouchers;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that if there are not substantive public comments received requiring reconsideration of the plan, staff is authorized and directed to file the plan as final with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with no further Board review; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that if there are material public comments, staff is directed to bring the plan, with such comments and any recommended revisions, back to this Board for final consideration.
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BACKGROUND
There are two parts to the PHA Plan: the 5-Year Plan and the Annual Plan.
Section 511 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 created the requirement for submission of PHA plans. The PHA Plan is a brief guide to PHA policies, programs, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals for the upcoming fiscal year. The 5-Year Plan is required by every PHA and describes the mission of the agency and the long-range goals and objectives for achieving the mission over the subsequent 5 years. The Annual Plan, which is prepared and submitted to HUD every year, provides information about program operations and services for the upcoming fiscal year.
As part of the 2026 Five-Year PHA Plan, the Department will implement the Foster Youth Initiative (FYI) voucher program. The plan also reaffirms the Department’s continuing commitment to:
• Expand housing opportunities by assessing the potential for administering specialized voucher programs.
• Address the need for quality affordable rentals.
• Promote stable housing to improve quality of life.
• Increase Customer Service.
• Enhance the Inventory Management System/Public and Indian Housing Information Center (IMS/PIC) submission rate and correct any fatal errors in a timely manner.
• Increase choice in affordable housing and housing assistance through the following objective.
To ensure public participation, the Department will appoint annually a Resident Advisory Board, which will consist of all tenants with active Section 8 contracts, to review and comment on the proposed 5-Year and 2026 Annual Plan. The Plan will also be available at 221 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78701, for review at the Department’s Administrative Office on weekdays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central Time; and the Department’s website at: www.tdhca.texas.gov <http://www.tdhca.texas.gov>. Those who are not able to speak, read, write or understand the English language may call (512) 475-3800 or toll free (800) 525-0657 to request translation assistance with documents, events or other information from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Upon Board approval, the Department will publish a notice 45 days prior to scheduling a public hearing to receive public comment on the Plan, and details will be provided on the Department’s Public Comment Center webpage at <https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/tdhca-public-comment-center>. The Department is currently awaiting approval of a waiver request from HUD as referenced in the plan. If the waiver request is decided prior to submission to HUD, the plan will be updated to reflect this decision. If there are no substantive comments, the Plan will be submitted as approved today to HUD. If substantive comments are received, the Plan will be resubmitted to the Board for final approval.