Davenport City housing authority presents annual plan draft, schedules payment-standard discussion as budget uncertainty looms

Davenport City Housing Commission members on Feb. 24 heard an overview of the housing authority nnual plan draft, met two new staffers and set a follow-up meeting to consider changing the voucher payment standard amid possible budget reductions.

The housing authority director told commissioners the annual plan draft will be posted online for a 45-day public comment period beginning the day after the meeting and that the plan is intended to align the authority nnual actions with HUD and the City of Davenport—onsolidated planning documents. The director said, "Currently, the wait list is closed," and that the authority is updating its website and landlord and tenant resources to help people access other housing programs while the wait list is closed.

The annual plan is a yearly implementation document distinct from the agency dministrative plan, the director said; the administrative plan contains the policy changes that would require formal board approval. The director summarized civil-rights and fair-housing certifications that must accompany the annual plan, citing conformance with the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and noting the authority—ertification obligations under 24 CFR provisions.

Commissioners used the meeting to welcome two staff members introduced by the director: Chintana, identified as an administrative assistant who has been assembling landlord packets and updating forms, and Troy, introduced as the new housing coordinator who will focus on inspections and portability cases. The director said of Chintana, "She has been instrumental in collecting a lot of the information," and said Troy had "hit the ground running." The director described plans to hold in-person informational sessions for landlords and to coordinate with community partners to retain and recruit landlords.

The director said the housing authority has been operating at an elevated payment standard in recent years—iting past temporary increases during the pandemic and a previous 120% payment standard—ut that the current standard is 110% and that staff expect budget uncertainty for the coming year. She asked the commission to treat the payment-standard level as a special topic at next month—ommission meeting so members can review data and discuss potential changes. "It could, there is a strong chance that it could deter landlords," the director said when asked whether lowering the payment standard could affect landlord participation.

At the start of the meeting commissioners approved routine business by voice vote: the January meeting minutes, the January financial report and the January utilization report. Chair Matt made a motion to approve the January meeting minutes and the motion was seconded; the chair called for voice votes and each vote passed.

The meeting closed with the commission scheduling next month—usiness, including the payment-standard discussion and a review of the annual-plan submission the director will request the commission to approve. Commissioners adjourned by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve January meeting minutes: moved by Commissioner Matt; seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote (all in favor). - Motion to approve January financial report: moved by staff (motion recorded by the meeting transcript as "I make a motion to move forward with that"); seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote (all in favor). - Motion to approve January utilization report: mover/second not specified on the record; outcome: approved by voice vote (all in favor). - Motion to adjourn: moved and seconded on the record; outcome: approved by voice vote (all in favor).