URA counsel proposes streamlined conflict-of-interest policy for HOF advisory board

Alex Thomas, associate counsel for the Urban Redevelopment Authority, presented a revised conflict-of-interest policy to the Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) advisory board at its May 6 meeting, saying the draft is intended to simplify rules for disclosure and recusal and to align the board’s guidance with a commonly used legal standard.

The draft borrows the definition used in the Pennsylvania Public Official and Employees Act, Thomas said, framing a conflict of interest around the use of public authority or confidential information for private financial benefit. Although the HOF advisory board is an advisory body and not subject to that state law, Thomas said the legal team adapted the definition to apply to the board’s work — including funding recommendations, preparation of requests for proposals and voting on the annual…