Reso 2000-058 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Suategic Plan — FY 2000 -FY 2004 City of San Leandro Page 10 of 35 A sizeable portion of these subsidized units face conversion to market -rate rents in the near future. According to the Alameda County Subsidized Housing Inventory (1997), between 1993 and 1995 there was a 9% reduction is affordable restricted rental units for very low- income families and a 16% reduction in affordable restricted units for extremely low- income families. This indicates that very low - income families are facing an increasing risk of becoming homeless, are doubled up in overcrowded conditions and/or are paying precariously high percentages of their incomes for housing. There are 16, 385 Section 8 vouchers and certificates (United Way Community Assessment, 1997) in use in the county. Most subsidized housing developments have long waiting lists. The average waiting time is approximately two (2) years. Section 8 and Public Housing programs within the HOME Consortium have approximately 11,000 households on their waiting lists. In FY 01, there will be an additional 600 vouchers added to Consortium jurisdictions, according to recent HUD figures. The number of landlords who are willing to provide subsidized housing will still not keep up with demand, even with these additional vouchers. There are also an increasing number of vouchers and certificates being returned to housing authorities due to the fact that the participants cannot find landlords who are willing to rent to them. Alameda County Housing Authority has requested and received authorization to charge exception rents - -rent levels that are higher than the Fair Market Rents set by HUD. This will allow participants to pay higher rates than currently set for the area by HUD. While this gives tenants the ability to rent market rate units, it will create a greater cost burden for these participants. Objectives Increase the number of rental housing units affordable to extremely low -, low- and moderate- income households through rehabilitation of existing units, construction of new units, and support of Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers. The City will leverage available funding from HOME, Redevelopment Housing Set - Aside, HUD Section 8 and private source funds to meet this objective. Accomplishments Support Section 8 Assistance Certificates and Vouchers • Continue to support the Housing Authority of Southern Alameda County which administers the Section 8 Assistance Certificate and Voucher Program in Southern Alameda County, including San Leandro. The program provides assistance to low- income tenants through rent subsidies which are paid directly to the landlord. It is anticipated that the Housing Authority will issue approximately 150 new certificates and vouchers to low- income households in San Leandro over the next five years.