Nogales Housing Authority reports near‑full occupancy, flags grant obligation deadline

The Nogales Housing Authority reported near‑full occupancy and detailed voucher availability and budget status during its regular meeting on Feb. 5.

Director’s report: The authority said public housing had 218 leased units out of 220 available online in January (99% occupancy); 1 unit was ready to lease, 1 in turnaround and 6 offline for modernization, for a total inventory the presenter stated as 226 units. The authority reported one move‑out and no move‑ins for the month. Waiting‑list counts provided were: 1‑bedroom 79, 2‑bedroom 49, 3‑bedroom 14, 4‑bedroom 3 and 5‑bedroom 1; staff said those totals dropped after a purge of inactive applicants in December.

Housing Choice Vouchers: The authority reported 77 vouchers on its HCV program, with 56 currently leased, 21 available and zero port‑outs. Project‑based vouchers remain at 20 executed vouchers. Staff said there are five stability vouchers (four executed, one “poured out” as reported) and 15 emergency housing vouchers with 10 executed under lease; one EHV lease ended due to a tenant death and the authority noted that those particular vouchers are not reissued.

Budget and grants: The authority presented administrative, tenant services, utility, ordinary maintenance, insurance and capital figures. Highlights presented included administrative allocations of $368,170 with $243,430.80 expended; utility allocations of $304,290 with $219,155.10 expended; ordinary maintenance allocation of $830,700 with $407,070.94 expended; and a capital allocation total described as $2,325,000 with $930,764.03 expended and a remaining balance reported as $724,905.97. Tenant services expenditures were described as $495.44 against an $8,610 allocation; staff explained that small amount largely paid for two nights’ hotel accommodation after a flooding incident.

Staff warned that a 2023 grant is currently 88% obligated and that the obligation deadline is mid‑February (staff cited the 16th). Staff said they are accelerating obligations under management improvement, including a planned purchase of barcode inventory software to increase procurement and meet the obligation threshold. The authority noted its fiscal year ends March 30 and that noncapital operating funds can be reallocated internally, while capital grant funds risk penalty or recapture if not used according to grant requirements.

Commissioners asked for clarification about what tenant services cover and how capital projects affect ordinary maintenance spending; staff responded that preventative maintenance and capital remodels (kitchen/bathroom work, flooring, paint) have reduced ordinary maintenance spending and that capital purchases have been used to relieve day‑to‑day budgets.

Votes at meeting close: The board moved to adjourn the Feb. 5 meeting and the chair called for the vote; the clerk recorded a voice vote of "Aye." Individual votes were not recorded in the transcript.