2022 PHA Annual Plan final - Laserfiche WebLink

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77he OHCD has fostered open communication with other housing agencies within the State of Hawaii to share best practices with similar challenges. This partnership with other PHA's not only strengthens our network but also provides innovative ways to improve the delivery ofservices to the communities that we serve. 2. Participate in the Community Alliance Program (CAP) regularly, in an effort to end homelessness The OHCD Homeless Coordinator regularly participates and collaborates with the Community Alliance Partnership (CAP). 77his position networks with various agencies within the CAP and is the conduit for information from CAP to the OHCD and vice versa. Ensure equal opportunity and affirmatively further fair housing 1. Ensure access and suitable living conditions for families utilizing federally assisted housing regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, and HIV infection. Fair Housing posters are provided to landlords or tenants to display in their housing facility. The OHCD provides assistance in submitting Fair Housing complaint forms to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. The Existing housing and Community Development staff' maintains Fair Housing awareness by attending virtual trainings which focus on fair housing topics and challenges within the community. 77he OHCD continues to coordinate training sessions for new and existing landlords, property managers, realtors, and homeless service providers to explore best practices in real property transactions.. Trainings focus on current and d•ending fair housing practices, as well as updates to the Fair Housing Code. 2. Continue to improve the dissemination of Fair Housing information to new and existing participants 77ne OHCD continues to update the Fair Housing website with new information and refers participants to the OHCD's fair housing specialist for direct response to questions by phone and/or email. Each year a Fair Housing seminar is held in partnership with Fair Housing coordinators around the states as well as agencies such as tire Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Bode new and existing landlords are encouraged to attend every year. This year's seminar included a 5 -training opportunity with one session held each week during Fair Housing month (April). Schedule and encourage annual fair housing trainings and/or webinars for staff The OHCD was able to maintain fair housing, though there were a limited amount available to the staffdue to social distancing restrictions. The OHCD staff are also encouraged to attend webinas on fair housing and are provided updated information on fair housing regulations. The Fair Housing coordinator is also available as a resource to refer clients and landlords facing Fair Housing concerns. G. Improve the housing delivery system I. Continue to provide online fillable forms, waitlist information, applications to various voucher and project -based voucher programs, and landlord and tenant informational documents pertaining to subsidized housing. During the previous year, OHCD had implemented an online portal for participants (Assistance Connect) which allowed the OHCD and active participants to use this portal to complete basic housing transactions. Although the OHCD attempted to encourage usage of this portal to participants, the software has been underutilized. The OHCD is positive that with the proper training and promotion of this software, participants will find that Assistance Connect will be a valuable tool for in communication with the OHCD. The OHCD also encourages all applications for subsidized housing to be completed and submitted online via the County of Hawaii website. 2. Support the professional growth of the OHCD staff by providing adequate training opportunities The OHCD provides regular weekly meetings for housing specialists to encourage new and innovative ways to improve workfow and work production. These meetings provide consistency and allow specialists to talk openly about changes to processes, etc. The OHCD is investing in trainings for all staff. These trainings purchased via HAI group will provide certifications for staff once they complete the training and pass a proctored test. Housing Specialists will be required to complete HCV recertification biennially. Where training is not available through HAI, OHCD will registerfor trainings with Nan McKay & Associates. Provide the utility allowance annually The calendar year 2022 utility allowance was updated on January 1, 2022. The utility schedule for single family and multifamily homes remained the same. Energy Star and LEED Utility Schedules were added for projects with PBV that supply the required certification. The OHCD will complete the revision process on an annual basis as reauired by HUD. B.4 I Capital Improvements. — Not Applicable Page 5 of 9 form HUD -50075 -HCV (03/31/2024)