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West Allis CDA approves $110,000 contract with Lutheran Social Services for Family Self‑Sufficiency work
Summary
The West Allis Community Development Authority voted to approve a sole‑source professional services contract with Lutheran Social Services for Family Self‑Sufficiency services, $110,000 annually.
The West Allis Community Development Authority voted to approve a sole‑source professional services contract with Lutheran Social Services for care coordination of a Family Self‑Sufficiency (FSS) program tied to the Housing Choice Voucher program and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, in the amount of $110,000.
A staff member described the FSS program as a federal strategy that lets Section 8 participants save escrowed rent savings toward goals such as a down payment on a house or transportation to work and said the housing authority has had roughly 30–35 participants in recent years and “a couple graduates” who used savings for a down payment. The staff member said the new funding will come from a federal grant and will reduce draw on the authority’s Section 8 administrative reserves.
The authority discussed whether the work should continue as a contracted service or be performed internally by housing authority staff. Staff noted a federal rule requires FSS staff to be separate from day‑to‑day voucher administration, and that the contract represents annualized funding that could support an FTE depending on how duties are structured. The staff member also warned of uncertainty in federal funding levels, including a March 14 continuing resolution date and broader program cuts, and said the authority would monitor developments and report back to the Common Council if it decides not to proceed with the contract.
Board members moved and seconded the item; the motion passed with the board saying “Aye.” The authority did not record a roll‑call tally in the public minutes for this item.
The contract covers a single year of service at $110,000, and staff said the grant does not require contracting specifically with Lutheran Social Services if the authority later decides to provide the service in‑house. Staff said they will return to the board if they change the delivery plan.
The authority’s discussion also included administrative details about staffing and the need for flexibility if federal block grants or Section 8 administrative payments are reduced. No additional conditions or amendments to the contract were recorded at the meeting.
