MINUTES SAN FRANCISCO HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING. May 10, 2012

Transcription

1 MINUTES SAN FRANCISCO HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING May 10, 2012 SCHEDULED: 4:00 p.m. at 440 Turk Street, San Francisco, CA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Rev. Amos C. Brown, Chair Mirian Saez, Vice Chair Matthew Schwartz, Commissioner Ahsha Safai, Commissioner Dorothy Smith, Commissioner Micah Allen, Commissioner Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt, Commissioner arr: 4:14 COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Rev. Amos C. Brown, Chair Item 1: Meeting called to order President Rev. Amos Brown called meeting to order at 4:00pm Item 2: Approval of Agenda Motion: Commissioner Allen: Motioned to approve agenda Commissioner Schwartz: Seconded motion Vote: All approved Item 3: Public Comments on items not on the agenda Paul Currier, resident of JFK Towers, inquired about HEAP payments to residents. Lynn Gavin, Commenter, referred to the Brown Act, California Records Act and California Constitution regarding a statement made to the Commission on January 26, Helani Ting, resident of Park Merced, commented that harassment of residents is continuing at Park Merced and requested assistance from the Housing Authority. Dorothy Raimey, commenter, stated that the Clementina Towers had an illegal election. Further, Ms. Raimey has been denied her stipend as Officer At Large and opposes the move by the President of CCSD to remove the Officer-At Large position.

2 Rita Lark, resident of Potrero Hill, has leak in her unit. Further, the resident at 956 Connecticut is harassing Ms. Lark. Item 4: Secretary s Report Henry Alvarez III, Secretary, provides an overview of the excel spreadsheet provided to the Commissioners identifying the breakdown of the cost for the Apprenticeship program with DPW. Linda Martin-Mason, Ombudsman, provided an update of the Annual Plan Process including information of the on-going preference discussion. Commissioner Schwartz asked whether staff is asking participants and stakeholders to discuss the benefits of a single preference scheme and if not, recommended that it be included as an agenda item for an upcoming meeting. Mrs. Martin-Mason responded that this has been discussed but not as an official agenda item and will include it as an agenda item at the next meeting. Commissioner Hunnicutt asked what Involuntary Displacement includes? Mrs. Martin-Mason responded that it includes natural disaster, victim of domestic violence, government action leading to displacement or landlord action leading to displacement. Tim Larsen, General Counsel, provided the Board with an information on local, state and federal non-smoking policies. Commissioner Smith encouraged the Housing Authority to implement a non-smoking policy. Commissioner Safai asked the Secretary what timeframe would be involved in implementing a non-smoking policy. Secretary Alvarez responded that a comment period would be required before changing the lease. Commissioner Safai asked how quickly staff can prepare a proposed action to the Board? Mr. Larsen responded that a proposed action could be provided by the next meeting. Commissioner Allen asked if there will be certain areas designated for smoking and further, what will happen to residents who refuse to sign their lease agreement? Mr. Larsen responded that he will look into this. President Brown asked if the Housing Authority has examples of other Housing Authorities that have implemented similar packets. Mr. Larsen responded that examples are in the Commission Packets. Commissioner Saez expressed concern over community engagement and recommended sufficient opportunity for public comment. Commissioner Saez also requested that the Board be informed of the impact on staff of the proposed policy.

3 Item 5: Tenant Representative Report 1. Citywide Council Senior Disabled (CCSD) Beverly Saba, President of CCSD, requested a copy of the Clementina Report provided during Public Comments. 2. Public Housing Tenants Association (PHTA) Joyce Armstrong, President of PHTA, congratulated Elizabeth Jones, President of the Westside Tenant Association for completing culinary school and encouraged Ms. Jones to continue her good work with her summer youth program. Ms. Armstrong commented that the PHTA is working with Westbrook, Hayes Valley (North and South), Hunters A East, Hunters A West, Hunters View (not recognized by PHTA), Northbeach, Plaza East, Robert B. Pitts, Sunnydale, and Westside Courts. PHTA continues working with their attorney and tenant councils on their bylaws. In conclusion, the PHTA continues working with the Sunnydale Resident Advisory Board until a duly elected board is elected and PHTA thanks the Housing Authority for allowing them to run the Summer Lunch Program from Item 6: Regular Business A. Consent Items Minutes o Minutes of regular Board meeting held on April 26, 2012 Public Comment: None Motion: Commissioner Schwartz: Motion for approval Commissioner Safai: Seconded the motion Vote: All approved B. Action Items 1) [Resolution Authorizing the Executive Director to Extend the Memorandum of Understanding between MEA and SFHA until September 30, 2013.] Presented by: Phyllis Moore-Lewis, Director, Manager, Human Resources Department Public Comment: None 2) [Resolution Authorizing the Executive Director to Enter Into a Site Based Wait List Agreement with Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation.] Presented by: Nicole McCray-Dickerson, Acting Director, Housing Choice Voucher Program

4 Commissioner Schwartz recused himself. Commissioner Safai asked if the TNDC is having a hard time leasing up 18 units? Ms. McCray Dickerson responded yes because the units include special program referrals, HOPWA waitlist and MODREHAB units. Commissioner Safai asked why there is difficulty in housing people from our waitlist? Ms. McCray-Dickerson responded that many applicants would prefer a tenant based voucher than a project based voucher and give up the opportunity for project based. Commissioner Smith asked what the difference is between a Project Based Voucher and a Tenant Based Voucher. Ms. McCray-Dickerson responded that a Project Based Voucher is tied to the unit and a tenant based voucher is linked to the person, wherever they reside. Commissioner Smith asked if the Housing Authority could still make referrals under this proposal. Ms. McCray-Dickerson answered in the affirmative. Commissioner Safai asked if applicants on our waitlist will maintain priority. Ms. McCray-Dickerson responded in the affirmative. Brown asked where the demographics of the applicants are derived? Ms. McCray-Dickerson responded that she will get look into it. Commissioner Saez confirmed that the current waitlist has been exhausted for potential applicants. Further, Commissioner Saez confirmed the Housing Authorities position that applicants are choosing not to accept the unit. Ms. McCray-Dickerson responded in the affirmative in large part because it is an SRO. Commissioner Saez asked the operator of TNDC what type of outreach will be conducted to attract residents and what programs will be used to assist those residents. Felicia Wright, Director of Property Management, TNDC, responded that TNDC has an affirmative marketing program designated as a housing authority where outreach is done through service coordinators, internet outreach and flyer

5 outreach. Social Workers are designated for the entire population as well as other departments. Commissioner Safai asked whether the Housing Authority has created site based waitlist for other agencies? Ms. McCray Dickerson responded no. Commissioner Safai asked what the disadvantages would be to having a Site Based waitlist. Ms. McCray-Dickerson responded that the waitlist has been exhausted for the current TNDC programs and is closed. As a result, the Housing Authority cannot refer qualified applicants. Commissioner Safai asked if it can be included in the agreement that, should the Housing Authority open its waitlist, those applicants would get priority over the Site Based waitlist. Mr. Larsen responded that this can be included. Commissioner Hunnicutt asked why the waitlist cannot be opened. The Secretary responded that the Housing Authority will be challenged, especially in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, due to over-leasing. However, the Project Based Voucher Program has flexibility to solicit families to the waitlist but must follow the preference scheme. Further, the Housing Authority is continuing to consider the possibility of opening the waitlist. Commissioner Hunnicutt asked if the SRO units are suitable for larger families? Ms. McCray Dickerson agreed. Commissioner Hunicutt asked what type of services are offered? Ms. Wright responded that case management services, food services and other services are available to residents. Commissioner Allen asked if there is already a list of people interested in the Dalt? Don Falk, Executive Director, TNDC responded that there is no list and added information on the units and what they include. Commissioner Saez agreed that the TNDC buildings are not specific to Seniors/Disabled or Families, which is unique to the Housing Authority and encourages filling any vacancies that the Housing Authority is not able to fill from the waitlist. Commissioner Safai requested that language be added to the MOU to state that the MOU may be re-visited when the waitlist is opened.

6 Commissioner Saez asked what the term is of the MOU? Mr. Larsen responded that there is no end term but states that either party can terminate the agreement with a thirty day notice. Commissioner Saez asked if TNDC would apply the Housing Authority preferences to its waitlist. Ms. Wright responded that the TNDC waitlist would follow the same preferences. Commissioner Allan requested that the Housing Authority reserve the right to deny other similar site-based waitlist opportunities in the future that may not benefit the Housing Authority. The Secretary stated that any future opportunities would have to be approved by the Board. Commissioner Hunnicutt asked the Secretary for any disadvantages with this resolution. The Secretary responded that the disadvantage is that in a Project Based Voucher a resident can move on the thirteenth month if a voucher is available. Further, the Housing Authority requested indemnification for any liability related to a waitlist it is not overseeing. Public Comment Paul Currier, resident of JFK towers, recognized and commended Bevan Dufty for his presence at the meeting. Mr. Currier commented that it is unconscionable for individuals not to be placed into an SRO from a shelter and encourages the proposed resolution if more people will be housed. Motion: Commissioner Saez: Motion for approval Commissioner Hunnicutt: Seconded the motion Vote: All approved Item 7: Commissioners Comments Commissioner Allan invited the Board and the public to the New Chicago Barber Shop and the Barber College on Third Street for a free haircut and diabetes screening. The Secretary reminded the Board and the Public that the Ribbon Cutting for the Rosa Parks Senior Center is on May 15, 2012 commencing at 11:30am. Item 8: Closed Session None Item 9: Adjournment by consensus 5:15