Agenda Item   

AGENDA STAFF REPORT

 

                                                                                                                        ASR Control  25-000971

 

MEETING DATE:

04/14/26

legal entity taking action:

Orange County Housing Authority

board of supervisors district(s):

All Districts

SUBMITTING Agency/Department:

OC Community Resources   (Approved)

Department contact person(s):

Dylan Wright (714) 480-2788 

 

 

Julia Bidwell (714) 480-2991

 

 

Subject:  Approve Orange County Housing Authority Administrative and Annual PHA Plan

 

     ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

          Concur

No Legal Objection

Public Hearing

 

 

3 Votes Board Majority

 

 

 

    Budgeted: N/A

Current Year Cost:  N/A

Annual Cost: N/A

 

 

 

    Staffing Impact:

No

# of Positions:           

Sole Source:   N/A

    Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

   Funding Source:    N/A

County Audit in last 3 years: Yes

   Levine Act Review Completed: N/A

 

    Prior Board Action:         11/18/2025 #28, 3/25/2025 #33

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

 

 

1.

Conduct a public hearing and consider public comments, Acting as the Board of Commissioners of the Orange County Housing Authority regarding proposed updated Orange County Housing Authority Administrative Plan and Orange County Housing Authority Annual PHA Plan for FY 2026-2027.

 

2.

 

Adopt the updated Orange County Housing Authority Administrative Plan.

3.

 

Adopt the Orange County Housing Authority Annual PHA Plan for FY 2026-2027.

 

4.

Authorize the Executive Director of the Orange County Housing Authority or designee to finalize and transmit both the updated Administrative Plan and Annual PHA Plan for FY 2026-2027 and make any non-material changes as may be required to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in compliance with federal regulations.

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

 

Conducting a public hearing and adopting the Orange County Housing Authority’s updated Administrative Plan and Annual PHA Plan for FY 2026-2027 ensures compliance with federal requirements to document statutory, regulatory, and local discretionary policies that govern the Housing Choice Voucher program.

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

 

Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) is a Public Housing Agency (PHA) that administers rental assistance programs throughout Orange County. Federal regulations require PHAs to maintain a written Administrative Plan, as outlined in 24 CFR Part 983.154 (Attachment D). This Plan establishes local policies for operating the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program (Attachment A) and addresses areas where PHAs have discretion.

 

The Annual Plan, as required under 24 CFR Part 903 (Attachment G), serves as OCHA’s strategic document for administering housing programs in the upcoming year. While the Administrative Plan provides operational details, the Annual Plan outlines broader program goals and priorities. Key policy areas include:

 

1.

Maximize existing resources and expand supply of affordable housing

2.

Promote Family Self-Sufficiency

3.

Focus on enhancing internal capacity to guarantee the delivery of high-quality service 

4.

Improve quality of assisted housing.

5.

Enhance equal access to housing programs by reducing barriers

 

The Board of Commissioners of the Orange County Housing Authority (Board) last adopted the Annual PHA Plan for FY 2025-2026 on March 25, 2025, and adopted OCHA’s updated Administrative Plan for FY 2025-2026 on November 18, 2025.

 

Updates to the Administrative Plan for FY 2026-2027 include:

          Chapter 3 Part III.C Other Permitted Reason for Denial of Assistance [24 CFR 982.553] Clarifies that OCHA may deny assistance if any household member is currently subject to registration under a state or federal sex offender registry. This aligns with existing OCHA policy permitting denial for criminal activity that threatens the health, safety, or peaceful enjoyment of other residents, property owners, management staff, or OCHA representatives.

 

          Chapter 17 Part IV.C - Limited PHA Discretion to Execute AHAP after Commencement of Development Activity. [24 CFR 983.154(f)] Consistent with HUD regulations, OCHA may, in limited and exceptional circumstances, execute an Agreement to enter a Housing Assistance Payment Contract (AHAP) after construction or rehabilitation has commenced. This is a discretionary flexibility intended to advance deconcentration of poverty and access to opportunities for families, and it does not create any entitlement for owners or developers.

 

          See Attachment C for additional details on these revisions

 

Adoption of the updated Administrative Plan and the Annual PHA Plan for FY 2026-2027 ensures OCHA remains compliant with federal regulations and continues implementing policies necessary for effective administration of federal rental assistance programs.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

N/A

 

 

STAFFING IMPACT:

 

N/A

 

 

ATTACHMENT(S):

 

Attachment A - Orange County Housing Authority Administrative Plan - Final Version
Attachment B - Orange County Housing Authority Administrative Plan - Redline Version
Attachment C - Summary of Administrative Plan Revisions
Attachment D - Chapter 24 Section 983.154 of the Code of Federal Regulations
Attachment E – Draft Annual PHA Plan FY 2026-2027
Attachment F - Affidavit of Publication
Attachment G - 24 CFR Part 903
Attachment H - 24 CFR Part 983