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Council adopts Housing Authority five‑year plan as staff outlines urgent capital needs
Summary
The council adopted HACN Resolution No. 2025‑9 approving the Housing Authority's five‑year and annual agency plan for 2025–2029; staff and auditors described energy and physical assessments, limited HUD capital funding of roughly $112,000 per year, and a $3.6 million 20‑year estimated capital need.
The council voted to adopt HACN Resolution No. 2025‑9, approving the Housing Authority of the City of Needles five‑year and annual agency plan for 2025–2029 and related HUD civil‑rights certifications.
Housing staff presented the proposed plan, which emphasizes serving low‑, very low‑ and extremely low‑income families, improving energy efficiency and pursuing modernization of aging public‑housing units. A third‑party energy audit found that unit‑level metering and LED lighting improvements are largely in place; the auditor recommended roof replacements and other capital repairs over the coming decades. Staff said solar was not financially feasible at this time due to high upfront costs.
The housing presenter described a physical needs assessment that projects roughly $3.6 million in capital needs over 20 years for 52 units, while HUD capital funding available to the authority is approximately $112,000 per year. The presenter noted the authority has completed substantial repairs in recent months (for example, windows and doors work funded across multiple years) but emphasized the funding shortfall for large projects such as roof replacements.
Staff explained the resident advisory board reviewed and approved the plan and that the authority must submit the plan and HUD certifications through the required public hearing process. Council members asked about grant opportunities beyond HUD and about operational improvements to avoid prior compliance problems dating to 2019. Staff confirmed they are pursuing mixed funding opportunities and have implemented corrective steps such as filing capital closeouts and working with local HUD representatives to exit trouble status.
The council approved the resolution by roll call and later accepted the housing authority's fiscal year‑end 2024 audit, which the auditor delivered as an unmodified opinion; staff said HUD had accepted the audit package.
