Nogales Housing Authority adopts 2025–2029 PHA five‑year plan and approves related amendment

The Nogales Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on an unanimous voice vote approved a statement of significant amendment and adopted the agency's Public Housing Authority (PHA) five‑year plan for fiscal years 2025–2029.

The approvals came after the board opened and closed a public hearing with no members of the public speaking and after Housing Authority Director Marita Cervantes presented the agency's monthly director's report, which included updated waiting‑list counts, voucher status and grant obligation timelines.

Why it matters: The PHA five‑year plan sets the local agency's capital and operating priorities through 2029 and frames spending decisions tied to HUD grants. The board's adoption starts the review process with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) field office; HUD review may require revisions and resubmission.

Director's report and waiting list. Cervantes told the board the authority completed a scheduled purge of its public housing waiting list. "The purging process took place, effective January 3," she said, and noted that the notice to applicants was mailed Dec. 3. After the purge, Cervantes reported the waiting list counts as of the meeting: 79 for one‑bedroom units, 49 for two‑bedroom units, 14 for three‑bedroom units, 3 for four‑bedroom units and 1 for five‑bedroom units. She said the waiting list remains open for new applicants who may apply in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Vouchers and occupancy. Cervantes reported public housing occupancy at about 98.65 percent and summarized voucher program activity: 77 applicants for the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list that opened the prior month; 20 executed project‑based vouchers (none available for lease); five stability vouchers (four under lease and one voucher marked as "ported out"); and emergency housing vouchers with 11 of 15 executed under lease and one ported out. She explained stability vouchers were temporary pandemic‑era awards and are treated similarly to emergency vouchers, with participants and the authority informed that funds are limited.

Maintenance and operations. The authority completed 84 work orders in the month and reported 10 callbacks, largely for clogged drains and holiday lockouts. The authority listed two units in turnaround status and said zero units were made ready that month.

Grant funding and obligations. Cervantes explained the distinction between obligation and disbursement timelines for HUD grants and provided deadlines for several grants. She said the obligation end date for the 2023 grant is Feb. 16, 2025, and that the agency must have 90 percent of those funds obligated by that date. Cervantes said the authority had obligated about $463,004.13 to date for that grant and expected to finish obligations and contract drafting imminently. She also noted the authority must submit an updated statement of significant amendment and other documents to HUD before drawing down 2024 grant funds.

Budget summary. Cervantes presented year‑to‑date budget figures through Dec. 30, 2024: of $1,665,670 allocated, the authority had expended $879,589.97, leaving a balance of $776,080.03. Line items she cited included administrative expenses (allocated $368,170; expended $238,172), utility expense (allocated $304,290; expended $189,812.25) and ordinary maintenance and operations (allocated $830,700; expended $390,498.53). Cervantes said one 2021 grant is closed and that other grant work remains under contract and obligation processes that can extend to 2027 for project completion and final disbursement.

Board action. The board approved two agenda resolutions by voice vote: a statement of significant amendment and the PHA five‑year plan for fiscal years 2025–2029. Commissioners asked that future meeting packets include the five‑year plan in advance and noted HUD will review the submitted plan and may request corrections or additional policy changes, such as updates to the administrative plan or inspection protocols.

Looking ahead. Cervantes and commissioners discussed how five‑year line items are intentionally general (for example, "roofing" rather than a single building) to allow flexibility as specific needs and costs become clearer in future years. Cervantes said the authority will continue to finalize grant contracts and provide updated documentation to HUD as required.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution: Statement of significant amendment to the PHA plan. Motion moved and seconded; recorded as passed by voice vote. (Transcript: "Number 1, consideration possible action of housing resolution. A resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Nogales Housing Authorities of the City of Nogales approving this statement of significant amendment." )

- Resolution: Approve and adopt PHA five‑year plan and five‑year action plan for fiscal years 2025–2029. Motion moved and seconded; recorded as passed by voice vote. (Transcript: "Number 2, consideration possible action of housing resolution, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Nogales Housing Authority of the City of Nogales approving and adopting the PHA 5 year plan and 5 year action plan for fiscal year 2025 through 2029.")

(Neither vote was recorded as a roll‑call in the transcript; both were announced as passing by voice vote.)

Sources: meeting transcript of the Nogales Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting; statements by Housing Authority Director Marita Cervantes and the circulating agenda packet referenced in the meeting.