Submitted By
Tammie Grossman, Director of Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
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Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Funding Grant Agreement between the Village of Oak Park and the Oak Park Housing Authority in the Amount of $35,000 for 2018 and Authorizing its Execution
End
Overview
Overview
This is an annual agreement adopted by the Village to provide funding for this agency to cover the shortfall of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The 2018 budget allocation request assumes general revenue funds totaling $35,000 from general ledger account # 1001-46206-230-585652.
The contract presented is consistent with other partner agency contracts. As in previous years, program requirements dictate whether the Village provides funding based upon actual expenditures incurred for the particular program. The Housing Authority will submit reimbursement requests detailing the expenditures prior to the disbursement of any funds.
Contract administration and oversight will be within the responsibilities of the Neighborhood Services Manager.
Background
In 2005, the Housing Authority experienced a decrease in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the administration and operation of the Housing Choice Voucher program. Many Housing Authorities across the country and in Illinois also experienced similar cuts in funding. In 2005, the Village agreed to give the Housing Authority a stand-by funding commitment of $150,000 from the Housing Bonds Fund to cover the federal shortfall. The Housing Authority only requested actual funding in the amount of $21,388. In 2006, the Village made an additional funding commitment of $100,000 and the Housing Authority actually invoiced $29,000. In 2007, the Housing Authority actually invoiced $42,043. In 2008, Housing Authority requested $100,000 in funding authorization to fund the expected shortfall in federal funding for administrative costs of the Housing Choice Voucher program and actually invoiced $34,720. In 2009, the Housing Authority received a direct allocation of $25,000 to cover the shortfall. In 2010-12, the Village did not fund the administrative shortfall. In 2013, the Housing Authority requested $25,000 to cover the administrative shortfall. The Village approved that request using funds from the Whiteco Affordable Housing Fund. The Housing Authority has nearly reached the point that, without additional local assistance, it may be forced to turn over the administration of the voucher program to the Cook County Housing Authority. The Cook County Housing Authority is unlikely to share the same commitment to integration that the Oak Park Housing Authority has as its mission.
Alternatives
The alternative would be to not fund the Oak Park Housing Authority and risk that transfer of the Voucher program to the Cook County Housing Authority.
Previous Board Action
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Citizen Advisory Commission Action
NA.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
NA.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
We have discussed trying to absorb the Housing Authority Inspections into the Village’s Neighborhood Services Division, Property Maintenance activities. However, after analyzing the issue, the Department does not feel that it can meet the needs of the Housing Authority and that further review of the Village’s property maintenance inspection activities is warranted.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
A governance priority for the Development Customer Service Department is to provide housing rented to low-income individuals at affordable rent.