About the Housing Authorities

Q
What is the Housing Authorities of the City and County of Fresno (HACCF)? Is it the same as the Fresno Housing Authority (FHA)?

The Housing Authorities of the City and County of Fresno, CA, often called the Fresno Housing Authority, is a public agency that helps more than 16,000 low and moderate income families, including seniors and the disabled, afford safe and decent housing. It administers many affordable housing and homeless programs funded by the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the State of California. The agencys mission is to build strong communities by providing quality housing and empowerment opportunities to eligible families in partnership with community resource providers.

How does the Housing Authority help Fresno residents afford decent housing?

The Housing Authority manages a variety of programs that help defray the housing costs of Fresno residents with incomes substantially below the local median income. In addition to rental assistance, the Housing Authority operates programs that help qualified Fresno residents purchase a first home or repair existing homes. The Housing Authority works with nonprofit and for-profit developers to expand the supply of affordable housing and also purchases and manages numerous affordable multi-family housing developments throughout the city and county. Additionally, the Housing Authority trains residents to improve their employability through programs such as Family Self Sufficiency (FSS).

Who is in charge of the Housing Authorities of the City and County of Fresno?

The Fresno Housing Authority is led by two Boards of Commissioners the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Fresno and the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of Fresno County each with seven members. The Executive Director of the Housing Authority, Preston Prince, reports to both boards and oversees the day-to-day operations of both agencies. Approximately 240 employees are involved in carrying out the Housing Authoritys mandates and programs.

How are the members of the Boards of Commissioners chosen and how long do they serve?

Commissioners on the City Board are appointed by the Mayor of Fresno; Commissioners on the County Board are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. Five of the seven members on each Board are appointed to four-year terms. The remaining two members on each Board are participants in the Housing Authoritys programs, and are appointed to two-year terms. Commissioners can serve multiple terms.

Does the Housing Authority help residents in Fresno County?

Yes. The Housing Authority owns housing complexes in all cities throughout Fresno County (except in Coalinga), and can provide rental assistance to residents anywhere in the county through the Housing Choice Voucher program (known also as Section 8).

What is the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and what is its relationship to the Housing Authorities of the City and County of Fresno?

HUD is the federal agency tasked with creating strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD regulates and provides funding for most of the programs administered by the Housing Authority, including public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers (commonly known as Section 8), and Shelter Plus Care.

Where does the Housing Authority get its funds? Who approves its budget?

The majority of funds come from the federal government through HUD, but the Housing Authority also generates income from its properties and can apply for a variety of grants as well as federal, state, and local funds to supplement its core funding. The Boards of Commissioners approves budget plans and oversees fiscal plans and expenditures.

Has the Housing Authority received any funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)?

A Q

Yes. The Housing Authority has received funds through ARRA, which are being used to modernize the agencys public housing units, to develop additional public housing units, and to assist homeless families through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing programs.

What percentage of residents receiving assistance from the Housing Authority have incomes below 30% of the local median?

Sixty-two percent (62%) of households receiving assistance (vouchers or apartments) from the Housing Authority fall in the very low income category -- earning less than 30% of the local median income in Fresno County. (Median income in Fresno County is approximately $34,700; persons earning less than 30% of median income earn less than $10,400 per year.)

How many families receive housing assistance from the Housing Authority?

A Q

More than 16,000 families currently receive some type of assistance from the Housing Authority. As of January 1, 2010, approximately 12,500 families were receiving Housing Choice Vouchers through the agency and another 4,000 were residing in housing owned and operated by the Housing Authority.

Where are the public housing complexes that are owned and operated by the Housing Authority located? Are they only in the city of Fresno or are they also in the county?

Apartments that are owned and managed by the Housing Authority are located in both the city of Fresno and also in Fresno County. For a complete list of all locations, please see the Housing Authority website (www.hafresno.org)

How does the Housing Authority help low and moderate-income families pay their rent?

The Housing Authority provides Housing Choice Vouchers which pay part of a familys rent and ensure that low- and moderate-income families dont pay an excessive percent of their income for housing. The Housing Authority also has programs specifically designed to address the needs of farmworkers, the homeless, and residents with physical and/or mental challenges.

How much of a renters housing costs does the Housing Authority cover?

The amount of subsidy a family receives from the Housing Authority depends largely on the size and income of the family. In the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), participants pay approximately 30 - 40% of their adjusted gross income in rent, and the balance of the rent amount is paid by the Housing Authority.

Is there a waiting list for housing assistance?

Yes. Currently there are waiting lists for both the Housing Choice Vouchers and for apartments at Fresno Housing Authority-owned buildings. The waiting list for Vouchers opens when spaces become available; qualified individuals and families can always add their names to the waiting list for apartments in Housing Authority-owned buildings. It is important to regularly check the website or call the Housing Authority to find out the status of the list.

How does someone get on the waiting list for Housing Choice Vouchers or for an apartment in a Housing Authority-owned building?

A Q

For information about applying for the wait list for Housing Authority-owned apartments, call 559-4458956; for information about the Housing Choice Voucher program, call 559-266-9941 or view the website www.hafresno.org

Do some people get priority over other families waiting for apartments?

A Q

The Housing Authority gives preference to families and individuals such as the elderly, the disabled, veterans, and local residents, as well as those with special situations.

Do people have to live in a public housing apartment to receive help from the Housing Authority?

A Q

No. While the Housing Authority owns and manages public housing complexes throughout Fresno County, the majority of residents helped by the Housing Authority are assisted through the Housing Choice Voucher program and live in housing that is privately owned.

Do residents of Housing Authority owned apartments and Housing Choice Voucher holders have to be U.S. citizens?

No. Non-citizens can live in Housing Authority-owned apartments and can also live with family members who have Housing Choice Vouchers. At least one member of the household must be a U.S. citizen. (Rental assistance amounts reflect the number of U.S. citizens in the household.)

Does the Housing Authority provide special support for farmworkers?

Yes. The Housing Authority owns farm labor housing complexes in Orange Cove, Mendota, Parlier, and Fresno. Legal residents who derive at least half of their income from farm-related sources are eligible for housing assistance in these complexes. This program is supported by grants from the Rural Development division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Does the Housing Authority provide support for migrant farmworkers?

Yes. The Housing Authority manages two migrant farmworker complexes one in Firebaugh and one in Parlier. These complexes are occupied from April through October and can be rented by farmworkers who are legal residents who have a permanent home at least 50 miles away from the complex. These complexes are supported by grants from the State of Californias Office of Migrant Services.

How does the Housing Authority promote and support the self-sufficiency and independence of its residents?

The Housing Authority has numerous programs, (such as youth workshops and after-school activities; parenting classes; and self-esteem, stress management, job development, financial management, budgeting/credit, early home-buyer, predatory lending, and foreclosure prevention workshops) that assist families to improve their economic and educational status. Contact the Housing Authority for more information about Family Self-Sufficiency, Financial Education, and Homeownership Training programs.

Does the Housing Authority help Fresno residents with multiple disabilities, mental illness, AIDS, or chronic abuse problems?

Yes. approximately 30% of the households served by the Housing Authority have at least one household member who is disabled.

Programs
Q
What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

A Q

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as Section 8) is a federal rental assistance program for low-income families renting from private landlords.

What is the Resident Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency Program (ROSS)?

A Q

The ROSS Program assists families living in public housing to achieve economic independence and selfsufficiency through higher education, job training, and first-time home buying support.

What is the Community Housing Partnership Program (CHPP)?

A Q

CHPP provides grants and no-interest or low-interest loans to low and moderate income home-owners to make home improvements such as exterior improvements, upgrading of electrical systems, installation of new cabinets, and repairing code violations or health and safety issues.

What is the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS)?

A Q

FSS assists Housing Authority families to access community resources to achieve economic independence, educational benefits, and self-sufficiency. Participants enter into agreements with the Housing Authority to define five-year economic goals and establish escrow accounts to be used to achieve those goals.

What is Shelter Plus Care?

A Q

Shelter Plus Care helps disabled homeless persons with severe mental illness, AIDS, or chronic substance abuse problems find permanent, supportive housing.

What is the Karl Falk Scholarship?

The Karl Falk Scholarship provides financial assistance to help Housing Choice Voucher recipients and Housing Authority residents pay for college tuition. The scholarships are presented in honor of Karl Falk, a professor at California State University Fresno, who specialized in housing and urban revitalization and served as Chair of the Housing Authority of Fresno County.

What is Better Opportunities Builder, Inc. (BOB)?

BOB is an independent, non-profit organization that assists local governments and the Housing Authority provide housing for low and moderate-income residents. BOB partners with the Housing Authority by administering funds related to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program. BOB shares office space with the Housing Authority.