A.

PHA Information.

A.1

PHA Name:  Housing Authority of Maricopa County   PHA Code: AZ009

PHA Plan for Fiscal Year Beginning: (MM/YYYY):  07/2021

PHA Inventory (Based on Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) units at time of FY beginning, above) 1724 (53 RAD PBVs, 45 Mainstream, 29 FUP, 5 VASH)

Number of Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) 1592

PHA Plan Submission Type:  x Annual Submission                    Revised Annual Submission  

Availability of Information.  In addition to the items listed in this form, PHAs must have the elements listed below readily available to the public.  A PHA must identify the specific location(s) where the proposed PHA Plan, PHA Plan Elements, and all information relevant to the public hearing and proposed PHA Plan are available for inspection by the public.  Additionally, the PHA must provide information on how the public may reasonably obtain additional information of the PHA policies contained in the standard Annual Plan, but excluded from their streamlined submissions.  At a minimum, PHAs must post PHA Plans, including updates, at the main office or central office of the PHA.  PHAs are strongly encouraged to post complete PHA Plans on their official website. 

The proposed annual plan may be reviewed at www.maricopahousing.org or any of the following locations:

§   Housing Authority of Maricopa County Administrative Office, 8910 N. 78th Avenue, Peoria AZ 85345

§   Peoria Housing Office, 10950 N. 87th Avenue, Peoria AZ 85345

§   Rose Terrace Property Management Office, 525 E. Harrison Drive, Avondale AZ 85323

§   Surprise Housing Office, 12976 W. Cottonwood, Surprise AZ 85378

§   River at Eastline Property Management Office, 2106 E. Apache Blvd, Tempe AZ 85281

 PHA Consortia: (Check box if submitting a joint Plan and complete table below) Not Applicable

Participating PHAs

PHA Code

Program(s) in the Consortia

Program(s) not in the Consortia

No. of Units in Each Program

Lead HA:

B.

Annual Plan.

B.1

Revision of PHA Plan Elements. 

(a)  Have the following PHA Plan elements been revised by the PHA since its last Annual Plan submission?

(b)  If the PHA answered yes for any element, describe the revisions for each element(s):

Financial Resources

Rent Determination

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) payment standards are used to calculate the housing assistance payment (HAP) that the Housing Authority of Maricopa County (HAMC) pays to the owner on behalf of the family leasing the unit.  The level at which the payment standard amount is set directly affects the amount of subsidy a family will receive, and the amount of rent paid by program participants. The HAMC must adopt a payment standard schedule that establishes voucher payment standard amounts for each unit size, for each FMR area, in the HAMC's jurisdiction. Effective August 1, 2020, HAMC increased the payment standard for 1-3-bedroom units to 105% of the FMR, 4-bedroom units to 100% of the FMR, 5-6 bedrooms units to 95% of the FMR updating the payment standards as follows:

Operation and Management

A.    The HAMC is governed by a Board of Commissioners (BOC). The mission of the BOC is to assist the HAMC further its mission to improve the quality of life of families and strengthen communities by developing and sustaining affordable housing programs; and to become a leading housing authority by exemplifying best practices, offering innovative affordable housing programs, and expanding accessibility throughout Maricopa County. Each member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appoints one member, and the BOC appoints at least one but not more than two eligible resident commission members ("Resident Commissioners") who must be: A.) in good standing, and B.) either a Housing Authority housing resident (Category 1) or a Housing Authority Rental Assistance recipient (Category 2). A vacancy on the BOC of a Supervisor-appointed Commissioner shall be filled with a replacement appointed by the Supervisor of the district who initially made the appointment and approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. A vacancy occurred in February, and on February 24, 2021, a new BOC member was appointed for a four-year term. HAMC continues to observe all governance bylaws and rules as required.

B.  With the final implementation of a new software system, Yardi, the HAMC redeveloped property management maintenance standards to ensure continuity. This included conducting walk troughs of all sites and producing a daily report for Asset Management review, responding to work orders within a reasonable time and enhancing our communication with residents on necessary work orders and any other concerns. Related maintenance procedures comply with all Federal, State and local laws and regulations and enable HAMC to surpass managed property goals that maintain the property in excellent condition, keep expenses within the operating budget, assess and address capital need proactively, and provide excellent customer service to all residents.

C.   HAMC implemented U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) COVID-19 waivers for certain activities as authorized, and where applicable. Waivers were applied when needed to mitigate the spread of the disease and will remain in effect as permitted by HUD, or sooner if deemed appropriate. As required, any waiver applied is documented and recorded with their effective dates.

B.2

New Activities

(a)  Does the PHA intend to undertake any new activities related to the following in the PHA's current Fiscal Year?

Y    N

x    Project Based Vouchers.  

(b) If this activity is planned for the current Fiscal Year, describe the activities.  Provide the projected number of project-based units and general locations and describe how project-basing would be consistent with the PHA Plan.

Administrative Plan Changes

Norton Circle Apartments Low Income Housing Tax Credit Application

The Use Agreement, dated June 8, 2017, between HUD and the HAMC requires Norton Circle Apartments (the Property) to exclusively be used for affordable housing purposes for the duration of 20 years from the date of that certain Use Agreement to serve households at 80% of area median income. HAMC submitted a request to its BOC to submit a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit application due on April 1, 2021 to the Arizona Department of Housing for the redevelopment of the property into a 100-unit new construction project to be owned by Norton C, LLC. The BOC approved and authorized HAMC's application. If approved, HAMC plans to transfer the property located at 304 S. 5^th Avenue, Avondale, AZ 85323 to Norton C, LLC with a sale agreement.

Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Incentive

The HAMC announced a $500 signing bonus for landlords in Maricopa County participating in the Section 8 HCV Program. Beginning October 1, 2020, landlords received a $500 signing bonus for an executed Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract within the HAMC's jurisdiction. This bonus is subsidized with Federal CARES Act funding and is specifically for landlords in HAMC's jurisdiction who make their properties available to voucher holders. With the need for affordable housing for Maricopa County residents, this new signing bonus program should provide landlords a strong incentive to sign a HAP contract, opening the door for stronger communities. The incentive will be available until the funds are exhausted. It is estimated HAMC will execute approximately 200 new contracts during this Fiscal Year.

B.3

Most Recent Fiscal Year Audit. 

(a)   Were there any findings in the most recent FY Audit? 

(b)  If yes, please describe:

Reference Appendix A

B.4

Civil Rights Certification

Form HUD-50077, PHA Certifications of Compliance with the PHA Plans and Related Regulations, must be submitted by the PHA as an electronic attachment to the PHA Plan.

Reference Appendix B.

B.5

Certification by State or Local Officials.

Form HUD 50077-SL, Certification by State or Local Officials of PHA Plans Consistency with the Consolidated Plan, must be submitted by the PHA as an electronic attachment to the PHA Plan.

Reference Appendix B.

B.6

Progress Report.

Provide a description of the PHA's progress in meeting its Mission and Goals described in its 5-Year PHA Plan.

The HAMC continued to make progress towards meeting its mission and goals, as described in the Five-Year plan by achieving the following overall accomplishments:

A.   Fourteen additional mainstream housing vouchers were granted to the HAMC by HUD to assist individuals and families secure and maintain permanent housing.

B.   In partnership with the City of Tempe Housing Authority (the City), the HAMC launched a web-based system to accept combined interest applications for the HCV Program waitlist lottery. For the first time in Arizona, applicants were only required to complete one interest application for two separate housing authorities. This modernized and innovative approach saved applicants a lot of time and effort and allowed the HAMC and the City to bring better business solutions to the local community, while staying current with best practices.

C.    HAMC resident programs creates and implements unique initiatives to meet resident needs. The HAMC continues to partner with multiple community organizations to deliver needed supportive services to residents in need. Supportive services includes supplemental meals, financial literacy, after-school programming, workforce development assistance and mental health support. Partner organizations include, but are not limited to Maricopa County Human Services Department, St. Mary's Food Bank, Avondale Elementary School District, Wesley Clinic, Sana Sana Foods, AHCCCS, local CAP offices, Department of Economic Security, Veterans Administration, and United Healthcare.

D.    The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (AZ NAHRO) honored the HAMC with the Innovative Program of the Year Award for its newly completed housing project, the Heritage at Surprise. The completion of Heritage brought an additional 100, brand new housing units to the west valley.

1.     Heritage offers comprehensive on-site supportive services to all residents, including a computer lab, community center and Resident Services Coordinator.

2.     HAMC provides direct, or contracts with other partners to provide direct residential services at no cost to the resident, including transportation. Resident services include, but are not limited to case management, habilitation/life skills training and services, job training and financial literacy classes. 

E.  HAMC consistently engages with external partners to fulfill its mission, as a result HAMC has entered into negotiations with Dominium for the development of new housing communities in Buckeye, Goodyear and Chandler, Arizona. Dominium is a national affordable housing developer with over 32,000 units in operations across the United States. These communities will expand housing access to vulnerable Arizona residents in need of secure, permanent housing. All community projects are in preliminary planning and negotiation phases, but tentative proposals are listed as follows:

1.    The Buckeye community will be 300 affordable units on 17.15 acres of land located on the northwest corner of Thomas Road and 195^th Avenue. Resident amenities may include a fitness center, clubhouse, and a shared pool.

2.    The Gilbert community will be 252 affordable units on 11.44 acres of land located on the southwest corner of Power Road and Tulsa Street. Resident amenities may include a clubhouse, shared pool and courtyards.

3.    The Goodyear community will be 640 affordable units (senior and family), on 28-acres of land located on the southeast corner of Van Buren Road and Cotton Lane. Resident amenities may include a theatre, hair salon, fitness center and clubroom.

F.    HAMC is revitalizing its inventory of homes in Mesa, Arizona. The Maricopa Revitalization Project (MRP) plans to convert 22 larger family homes into 2-bedroom duplexes. The proposed project will offer affordable housing to low-income families as well as revitalize nearby neighborhoods.

1.    MRP includes 35-single family homes scattered throughout Mesa.  All houses are 3 or 4-bedroom; 13 of these went through Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion in 2018.  The remining 22 houses are in urgent need of capital investment and rehabilitation.

2.    Proposed rehabilitation will increase the footprint of the homes and convert larger homes into duplexes, that are 2 and 3-bedrooms each. Rehabilitation features include but are not limited to gut rehabilitation, new energy efficient windows, new doors, insulation roof and appliances.

3.    The design concept was tested with a prototype completed in August 2020. The entire development is expected to be finished in phases by March 2022.

G.    The HAMC has redeployed its plans to ensure employees have the tools and supports they need to be successful at their jobs.

1.    To improve employee engagement, recruitment and development efforts, surveys were sent out to employees to determine employee preference for work schedules, to assess employee engagement and to explore redeveloping agency correspondence materials.

2.    HAMC has created targeted, strategic goals to gain employee input on new agency initiatives, explore the possibility, timing, costs and implementation of longevity pay and awards once employees meet certain milestones and plans to develop an employee investment plan.

3.    HAMC prepares its workforce to be competitive in the housing industry by continuing to enforce its agency training standards for all departments. Trainings include, but are not limited to Unconscious Bias, Workplace and Sexual Harassment, HCV Housing Specialist and Housing Quality Standards (HQS) certification trainings.

H.    HAMC fully transitioned to an online portal to streamline the customer application and certification process. This paperless system allows customers to access, complete and submit all necessary forms and documents electronically to the HAMC for processing.

I.     HUD sponsors a voluntary program that helps HCV participants achieve economic independence, the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.  Participants work with a Case Manager to assess their strengths, identify barriers, set goals, and work to achieve them. HAMC has seen a steady number of enrollees in the program. In 2020 there were 38 active participants with two graduates. HAMC works diligently to seek new opportunities to expand the FSS Program and serve more residents who seek to participate.

J.    In response to the Novel Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, HAMC developed a COVID-19 Transition/Preparedness Plan which established safety protocols to mitigate the spread of the disease.

1.    HAMC ensured all its employees had the tools and necessary supports to continue working and taking care of their loved ones. This includes allowing employees to telework, providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and additional health resources.

2.    HAMC provided a stress management training which allowed employees to better recognize and manage internal and external sources of stress, examine how current responses support or hinder oneself, and create a plan of action for more effectively managing current and future stressors.

3.    At the height of the pandemic, families were suffering from job loss, or income instability and health-related concerns as a result of the virus. Families were unable to maintain permanent housing and meet their financial obligations including rent and utilities. In response, HAMC managed to successfully assist struggling individuals and families secure and maintain housing. By leveraging community relationships, and securing and utilizing grant funds, HAMC was able to provide supplemental meals, COVID-19 vaccinations, medical screenings and rent and utility assistance. The HAMC secured over $330,000 for residents to use towards their rent and utilities; ensuring those in need could stay in their homes.

B.7

Resident Advisory Board (RAB) Comments.  

(a)  Did the RAB(s) provide comments to the PHA Plan?

(a)      If yes, comments must be submitted by the PHA as an attachment to the PHA Plan.  PHAs must also include a narrative describing their analysis of the RAB recommendations and the decisions made on these recommendations.