Committee directs performance audit of San Francisco Housing Authority to run alongside HUD review

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee voted without objection to direct the budget and legislative analyst to conduct a performance audit of the San Francisco Housing Authority, with the intent of coordinating the city review with a concurrent U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development audit.

Supervisor Campos introduced the motion, saying it is intended "to provide the City and County of San Francisco with a clear picture of how the needs of the residents of these housing authority developments are being met." He noted he represents three housing authority developments (Vernal Dwellings, Holly Court and Alemany) and said the audit should examine compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, governance, financial oversight, the status of implementing prior HUD recommendations, and management of public-housing resources including Section 8 vouchers.

Sevin Campbell of the Budget and Legislative Analyst's office described a two-stage approach: a broad initial scope followed by a risk assessment to narrow priorities. Campbell said the Housing Authority is HUD-funded and that the city team has already discussed coordination and document requests with housing authority staff and HUD. "They are saying that they are going to be looking at financial and governance of the agency," Campbell said, adding the city's review will focus on areas where San Francisco has an interest.

Supervisors who spoke asked that the audit take into account an expected HUD corrective action plan and that the city effort avoid duplicating HUD's compliance work. Supervisor Cohen emphasized the need to consider how Board policies and city-funded services intersect with the Housing Authority, including rent collection practices, tenant relocation costs and public-safety concerns. Cohen also cited a previously reported unfunded maintenance liability of more than $200,000,000 at the authority.

Campbell estimated the work could require roughly 1,200 to 1,500 hours and aimed to complete the audit by May so findings could inform the June budget review. The analyst said the office would include tenant input through advisory committees, tenant associations and focus groups as part of the work plan.

Public comment included Ace Washington, a long-time housing advocate, who urged close attention to living conditions and public safety at housing authority sites. After public comment, the committee moved the motion forward with a positive recommendation "without objection."