Housing Authority holds public hearing on 2026 PHA annual plan; residents urge clearer summary and stronger grievance process

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee held a public hearing on Sept. 10 on its draft 2026 PHA annual plan, the document the authority submits to HUD describing goals and program changes for public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Interim Secretary Executive Director Ken Barbot summarized the plan and told the board the draft and supporting documents — including redlines of the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) and the Section 8 Administrative Plan — are available at HACM’s central office, on HACM’s website and in the meeting binder. He said the Resident Advisory Board reviewed drafts in July and that the board will consider final approval of the submission at its Oct. 8 meeting after staff respond to public comments.

Speakers during the hearing and commissioners raised accessibility and clarity concerns. Commissioner Snyder and others said the primary 58‑page agency plan and the still‑longer policy appendices are difficult for many residents to read and urged an executive summary, broader physical distribution (libraries, flyers) and targeted outreach. Vice Chair Gotzler urged distributing the 58‑page plan at a residents’ presidents meeting the next day and emailing it to community partners; staff said HACM would explore QR codes and using the HACM hub for distribution. The board noted reasonable‑accommodation requests will be handled by HACM; staff gave a contact number for accommodations: (414) 286‑5824.

A public commenter, identified in the sign‑in as Mister Sawyer, urged stronger grievance protections, particularly for residents in RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) buildings and for resident organizations, and said improved grievance procedures would help rebuild public trust. Barbot and staff said resident advisory board feedback was included in an attachment to the plan and that HACM will acknowledge and respond to all written and in‑person comments in the final submission to HUD. A written comment from Connor Goggins of the Milwaukee County Housing Division was included in meeting materials and acknowledged on the record.

Barbot and staff said most 2026 changes align with HUD guidance, including updates tied to the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (HOTMA). They emphasized the PHA annual plan is a HUD template and a “living document,” and that the board will respond to substantial changes through resident advisory board review and a future board vote. Commissioners asked how federal appropriations might alter financial assumptions in the plan; staff said financial estimates reflect current knowledge and would be revised if funding levels change.

No vote was held; the board will act on final submission at its Oct. 8 meeting after staff incorporate resident advisory board and public comments.