9978-09 Appropriating $2,463,435 from Community Development (Fund 212), defraying expenses of CED

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St. Joseph County Housing Consortium The housing of the HASB scores typically in the 88 - 94% range out of 100 on the PASS. This on the face of it would indicate that Public Housing in South Bend, while far below what is needed for the demand, is well maintained. There are no units that are offline for anything other than that associated with a typical turn after a vacancy. As mentioned earlier, 235 public housing units in South Bend are single family walkups. These units are more attractive than most public housing. However, the last time all but 50 of these homes were given a comprehensive modernization, the facades varied very, little and to the trained observer, can be spotted with relative ease. The other 50 were purchased a bit later and are only now undergoing modernization, with an eye to keeping their uniqueness intact. This above said, while in good repair, the HASB does realize the need for a new kind of public housing; a kind geared to the amenities that will attract working families. The need for houses with 1600 square feet (current average square feet is 1100) that blend into existing neighborhoods; showers; attached garages; poured basements and the other features common on the non-subsidized rental market is something that the HASB is actively pursuing with ARRA Capital Funding and HUD Replacement Housing Funds (RHF). Demographically, the two high-rises are home to mainly seniors and disabled individuals. In the last HASB 504 assessment, the HASB found no need to dramatically increase the number of handicapped units available but did so anyway. Currently, 6.5% of all HASB units are handicapped accessible and the HASB is committed to increasing that rate as the new additions are brought online. In the 504 needs survey, the HASB received no responses from any resident wanting accessibility or accommodations that did not have them. The HASB policy for non handicapped families residing in handicapped units is that should a need arise for a handicapped unit, the family will be relocated to facilitate the need. The HASB's Section 8 Waiting List opened July 20, 2009, for the first time in three years. In 2006, the Waiting List opened and received 3,000 applications in 7 days. On the first day the list was opened in 2009, by 10:00 AM, over 6,000 applications have been distributed and over 3,000 have visited the HASB Website at www.hasbonline.com. Given the general economic climate this was somewhat expected but not after one day. Predictions are that a threefold increase will be realized after the Waiting List closes July 24, 2009. The HASB's Housing Choice Voucher Program is a perennial High Performer on the Section Eight Assessment System (SEMAP). The HASB has the authority to issue 2124 Section 8 vouchers and is currently just above that level. The HASB receives $12,000,000 annually as a pass through to landlords in the form of a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). The HASB had been rated a High Performer for 5 straight years until last year when leasing suddenly started to drop because many could not make the minimum payments, coupled with a significant difficulty in finding homes that would pass the Housing Quality Standard (HQS) Inspection, which is required before a home can be admitted to the Program. These factors left the HASB a Standard Performer. In 2009, the HASB implemented several new strategies and it is highly likely that it will return to its usual rating as a High Performer. In summary, there continues to be a dramatic need for public housing and tenant-based rental assistance in South Bend. Additionally, Congress needs to continue the positive measures it has begun under ARRA and help bring the public housing that now exists into good repair even when viewed from the eyes of the private sector. Fortunately, for South 2010-2014 Housing and Community Development Plan 41