HOW DO YOU SPELL HOUSING? P-H-A Workshop Presentation February 8, 2007 National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness By Hazel Weiss, M.A., HCD Manager Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department, Hayward, CA

The Playing Field, 1 Housing Quiz Name the 10 most expensive states for renters. Name the 10 most expensive states for renters. Where does your state rank? Where does your state rank? Name the most expensive US city for renters. Name the most expensive US city for renters. Name the leading obstacle in preventing homelessness. Name the leading obstacle in preventing homelessness.

The Playing field, 2 Affordability Standard is paying no more than 30% of income for housing costs Affordability Standard is paying no more than 30% of income for housing costs A full-time worker at minimum wage ($5.15) cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment anywhere in the country. A full-time worker at minimum wage ($5.15) cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment anywhere in the country. Affordable rent for a full-time minimum wage worker is less than $300. Affordable rent for a full-time minimum wage worker is less than $300. Nine in ten renter households earning average renter wage-$12.22-can’t afford a 2- bedroom apartment at FMR Nine in ten renter households earning average renter wage-$12.22-can’t afford a 2- bedroom apartment at FMR

Why partnering with your local public housing authorities is an important part of your community’s efforts to end homelessness They have RESOURCES! They have RESOURCES! You can help them fulfill their mission You can help them fulfill their mission They can help you fulfill your mission They can help you fulfill your mission

PHA Resources For example, Oakland Housing Authority in Oakland, CA provides: For example, Oakland Housing Authority in Oakland, CA provides: 3,308 Public Housing units on 268 sites, 3,308 Public Housing units on 268 sites, 1,386 units at large developments, 1,386 units at large developments, 1,615 units at scattered sites, and 1,615 units at scattered sites, and 307 units in mixed-finance partnerships, and 307 units in mixed-finance partnerships, and 11,142 Section 8 Leased Housing units (rental assistance to private owners). 11,142 Section 8 Leased Housing units (rental assistance to private owners).

And, Oakland Housing Authority has: A budgeted staff of 327 A budgeted staff of 327 Twelve major divisions: Twelve major divisions: The Office of Real Estate Development; the Office of Program Administration including the Departments of Leased Housing, Financial Management, Management Information Systems, and California Affordable Housing Initiatives (CAHI), Inc; the Office of Property Operations with two Departments of Property Operations; the Departments of Human Resources and Police Services; and the Office of the Executive Director. The Office of Real Estate Development; the Office of Program Administration including the Departments of Leased Housing, Financial Management, Management Information Systems, and California Affordable Housing Initiatives (CAHI), Inc; the Office of Property Operations with two Departments of Property Operations; the Departments of Human Resources and Police Services; and the Office of the Executive Director. Your Agency has ? Staff and ? Major divisions? And ? Minor divisions… Your Agency has ? Staff and ? Major divisions? And ? Minor divisions…

More PHA Resources The Housing Authority of Alameda County (HACA): The Housing Authority of Alameda County (HACA): Provides rental assistance to over 7,000 low income households through its Section 8 and Affordable Housing programs Provides rental assistance to over 7,000 low income households through its Section 8 and Affordable Housing programsSection 8 and Affordable Housing programsSection 8 and Affordable Housing programs Tenant-based Tenant-based Project-based assistance tied to specific dwellings Project-based assistance tied to specific dwellings Owns 230 Affordable Housing (Public Housing) units Owns 230 Affordable Housing (Public Housing) units

Where and How to Start Hint: think about a job search Do your homework-research your PHA Do your homework-research your PHA Programs Programs Housing Choice Vouchers Housing Choice Vouchers Project-based Section 8 Project-based Section 8 Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Family Self-Sufficiency Family Self-Sufficiency HOPE VI HOPE VI MTV MTV

Keep on Going History History Current issues and concerns Current issues and concerns Identify points of intersection Identify points of intersection Client needs Client needs Resources Resources Organizational interests Organizational interests Priorities Priorities Mandates Mandates

Strategies Capitalize on unique opportunities such as: Capitalize on unique opportunities such as: Making Transitions Work (MTW) program, Making Transitions Work (MTW) program, A national effort to allow public housing authorities (PHAs) to design and test local approaches for Promoting self-sufficiency and reducing costs; A national effort to allow public housing authorities (PHAs) to design and test local approaches for Promoting self-sufficiency and reducing costs; Preferences, special needs programs, set-asides Preferences, special needs programs, set-asides Formalize your agreements by Memorandums of Understanding or Contracts Formalize your agreements by Memorandums of Understanding or Contracts

SUMMARY PHA’S ARE A VALUABLE RESOURCE. PHA’S ARE A VALUABLE RESOURCE. DO YOUR RESEARCH. DO YOUR RESEARCH. IDENTIFY POINTS OF INTERSECTION IDENTIFY POINTS OF INTERSECTION CAPITALIZE ON YOUR PHA’S UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES CAPITALIZE ON YOUR PHA’S UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS. FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS. “KEEP SMILING” “KEEP SMILING”

SPEAKER CONTACT INFORMATION Hazel Weiss, M.A. HCD Manager Co-chair, National Shelter Plus Care Coalition (NSC) Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department 224 W. Winton Avenue, Room 108 Hayward, CA voice: fax: TTD: