Vallejo Housing Authority approves annual PHA plan as residents testify about delayed hearings and alleged overcharges

The Vallejo Housing Authority on March 5 unanimously adopted its annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) plan for fiscal year 2026–27 and authorized its submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, after residents testified about delays and alleged rent overcharges.

Housing Director Alicia Jones presented the plan, describing it as a guide to the authority's policies, programs and operations. Jones said the Housing Choice Voucher program is allocated 2,358 vouchers and that the authority budgets 16 positions; staff recommended recruiting an administrative manager to support strategic planning, standardize operations and oversee daily work. Jones also highlighted recent achievements: lease-up of Bridal Village (47 project-based units) and approximately 95% utilization of the VASH program. She said HUD rated the authority a standard performer with an 85% score.

The plan presentation was followed by public comment. Resident Bridal Ledesma testified she had been waiting months for an informal hearing after what she described as an improper rent increase and said she had repeatedly submitted bank statements without resolution. "They would not let me explain or give the documents," Ledesma said, asking the board for reimbursement for prior overpayments and for staff to help resolve her case. An online caller, identified as Crystal, backed Ledesma and urged the board to explain last fall's housing authority closure that she said left many residents without services; Crystal called for transparent corrective actions and for tying any new spending to measurable improvements in resident access and communication.

During board questioning, Council Member Letizio pressed Jones on staffing shortages and operational impacts. Jones said six of 16 budgeted positions are vacant, some vacancies are more than six months old, and interviews for some roles are expected to begin in April. Jones said the authority uses consultants for annual recertifications, interims and inspections and plans to expand consultant support to reduce the burden on limited staff and to help administer programs such as VASH, though she warned expanding consultant work is costly.

Vice Chair Matulek moved to adopt the resolution approving the PHA plan and to authorize submission to HUD, with an explicit instruction that the city manager explore expanding the consultants' scope to support customer-service needs. The board approved the motion by roll-call vote; the motion carried unanimously. The chair asked staff to follow up directly with Ms. Ledesma to collect contact information and address her situation.

The board's approval sends the PHA plan to HUD for further processing; staff said they will continue recruitment and that consultant use may be expanded to provide transactional support while staffing gaps persist.