Lake County board votes to transfer housing vouchers and contract to Regional Housing Authority

The Lake County Board of Supervisors, sitting as the Lake County Housing Commission, voted to authorize the voluntary transfer of the commission’s entire Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) assistance portfolios and the associated Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) to the Regional Housing Authority (RHA).

The resolution, which the commission’s executive director said is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to move forward with consolidation, passed by unanimous voice vote. Rachel Dillman Parsons, social services director and executive director for the Lake County Housing Commission, told the board the transfer would “bring better services to Lake County as a small housing authority.”

Board members and a member of the public asked for details about funding and oversight. Parsons said Lake County’s portfolio includes 229 vouchers that would move to RHA; RHA’s existing portfolio is 2,107 vouchers. She told the board RHA has prior experience developing property and a broader mix of funding sources. “They won’t have to do that in order to support the program,” Parsons said, referring to the administrative funding trade-offs Lake County has used to cover voucher costs.

Parsons said the resolution and transfer are to proceed “in July or as soon thereafter as HUD approves.” She also noted the county can convert up to 30% of the vouchers to project-based vouchers in the future; she said the commission has held some vouchers in reserve to enable that option.

A member of the public asked whether the transfer involved about $5,000,000 per year. Parsons answered that HUD issues annual allocations and that amounts vary by household size and local payment standards; she described how administrative funds have sometimes been shifted internally to cover voucher payments and staff costs. Supervisor Spatje asked whether VASH vouchers were included; Parsons replied, “That is correct,” and confirmed the vouchers would transfer to RHA.

Parsons said RHA already completed its own resolution and that, after the county’s approval, RHA would be ready to proceed pending HUD authorization. Board members noted that county representatives will serve on the RHA board and can request regular reports on how RHA administers services in Lake County.

The motion to approve the resolution was offered and seconded; the vote was recorded as follows: Commissioner Owen, aye; Commissioner Sabatier, aye; Commissioner Rasmussen, aye; Commissioner Paiske, yes; Commissioner Figueroa, aye; Commissioner Crandall, yes. The chair said the resolution passed. The transfer is contingent on HUD approval and on administrative steps between the two housing authorities before responsibilities formally shift.