[0:16] My name is Ralph Avila. is now exiting.

[0:45] Morning, I'd like to welcome you to all to this morning's meeting of the Mohave

[0:48] County Public Housing Authority Board of Directors.

[0:52] Uh Clerk, would you run us through roll

[0:54] call, please?

[0:56] Good morning, Supervisor Breault. Present. Supervisor Lattman. Present.

[1:00] Supervisor Martin. Here.

[1:04] Supervisor Gould. Here. Chairman Lingafelter.

[1:08] Here. Board member Linda Sadler. Here. And

[1:11] board member Ralph Avila. I don't see him on Teams. Um a number

[1:17] just dropped off, so hopefully he'll jump back on.

[1:21] We do have a quorum, though. We do. All right.

[1:25] Item number two, discussion possible action approval of the March 17th, 2025

[1:30] meeting minutes. Mr. Chair, I move for approval of the minutes of March 17th.

[1:34] Supervisor Lattman, do I have a second? Second.

[1:37] Heard that motion and second. Any additional discussion?

[1:40] Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. All opposed?

[1:44] Ayes appear to have it, do have it, so ordered. Thank you. Chairman, Uh could

[1:47] we do the pledge? Uh it's not listed on our

[1:52] our agenda. >> that, but it's it is a public meeting,

[1:56] and and personally I'd like to see us do the pledge.

[2:02] Um sure, we can do the pledge. Does anybody

[2:05] have a a problem with with doing the pledge?

[2:08] It's Would you like to lead us in the Pledge

[2:10] of Allegiance, Supervisor Martin? >> Pledge of Allegiance. Absolutely.

[2:17] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the

[2:22] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[2:29] justice for all.

[2:34] Um [clears throat] Ralph Avila is now joining.

[2:40] Okay, perfect timing. Um item number three in our agenda this

[2:43] morning is welking welcoming uh the new Board of Directors tenant member Ralph

[2:48] Avila for a four-year term. Yes. That's correct.

[2:54] Thank you for for joining us today, Mr. Avila.

[2:58] Did we already Thank you.

[3:02] Yes, we did.

[3:05] » [clears throat] >> Okay, we're moving to item number four,

[3:07] everyone. Report from the director, Director

[3:10] Smith, good morning. Morning, Chairman Lingafelter, board

[3:13] members. >> [clears throat]

[3:15] » So, I just wanted to uh I went through most of this stuff

[3:18] already, uh but I just wanted to go through it

[3:21] one more time. Uh

[3:25] » [clears throat] >> One of the updates that I had uh

[3:28] recently was contacted um by WICOG, and there's some

[3:32] interesting opportunities where we um

[3:36] uh in a partnership, um and that'll be coming at a later date. We'll be

[3:39] bringing something back to the board, but I I did want to share that. That was

[3:42] an interesting thing that there was some allocation of resources that possibly

[3:46] may be able to be directed in Mohave County for some housing projects and in

[3:50] working with different developers. Um additionally, uh within Community

[3:54] Services Department, uh we have a meeting scheduled in April,

[3:58] uh where we're going to bring uh I'm sorry, May. In in May, where we're going

[4:01] to bring in uh local contractors, uh discuss building options and in

[4:06] different uh capacity, as well as that relates to the CDBG home grants and the

[4:11] SSP grants as well. >> speak up just a little bit, Director

[4:14] Smith? Thank you. >> Sure.

[4:16] » [clears throat] >> So, in regards to

[4:18] the the SSP grants, the the special state project grants and things of that

[4:22] nature, we'll be bringing contractors to make sure that they're aware of the

[4:25] opportunities within Mohave County and providing that to them as well, as well

[4:29] as trying to make sure that they're aware of the

[4:32] work for Arizona at work, the opportunities to partner with us in

[4:36] apprenticeships, as well as other opportunities uh for for workforce,

[4:40] right? So, what are those options, as well as options to be a a county uh

[4:45] uh uh a contractor with the with the county as

[4:49] well, so we can we can do that. So, those are just a couple little

[4:52] initiatives that that we have going within the Community Services

[4:55] Department. Want to touch on that. Um and then just really jump into uh the

[5:00] vouchers. Um I believe at the last meeting I sta- stated it was it was 247

[5:05] for for our HCV, it's actually 243. Uh our veteran uh

[5:10] tenant base is is 200, mainstream is 115 for a total of 558.

[5:15] Um we have emergency housing vouchers, 17 active, those will be falling off at

[5:19] the end of the year. It ends December 31st uh this year.

[5:24] Uh family self-sufficiency, there's 40 active, and the CDBG program that we

[5:28] have four contracts there. And that's all I have for my uh director's report

[5:32] at this time. Any questions for Director Smith?

[5:39] Thank you, Supervisor Gould. Thank you, Chairman. Um

[5:42] Director, uh explain family self-sufficiency

[5:46] program, or refresh my memory, please. Sure. So, the family self-sufficiency

[5:50] program, we can have up to, I believe it's 50 individuals on that program. Um

[5:55] I I believe that's the number is 50. There's a set number that we can have.

[5:59] And then basically what happens is the participants come in, and they go

[6:02] through uh education, right? So, part of that is is they get uh literacy,

[6:06] financial literacy, and then they set goals of how they move through the

[6:09] program so that they can become self-sufficient at the end and and

[6:13] really uh

[6:16] it's just a process of going through the program, but I financial literacy,

[6:19] things of that. And then I would just note that through those programs and

[6:22] those trainings, uh if I didn't touch on it last time, was that we had uh I

[6:27] believe we had five success stories uh that you gradually over the past year

[6:32] went on and purchased a home. And that's the same program that would

[6:35] qualify them for some government financing incentives on mortgages.

[6:45] Is that another program? I I believe that's another program, Chairman.

[6:49] Chairman. Supervisor Gould, I believe that's

[6:51] another Thank you, Director Smith. Mr. Chair.

[6:53] » Thank you, Chairman. Supervisor Lattman, do you have a

[6:55] question? Director Smith, I had a question going through administrative

[6:58] plan, and just a brief one, and the answer should be brief, too.

[7:03] The Public Housing Authority, I was just a little confused on how you determine

[7:08] eligibility to go on the list on the waiting list.

[7:12] And what role did veteran status and disability play in that? It

[7:16] there was a lot of material to read, and that wasn't clear to me. Sure, Chairman

[7:21] Lingafelter. Supervisor Lattman.

[7:24] Uh so, we we can open the waiting list uh when

[7:28] the waiting list gets to a certain number, right? We we need to make sure

[7:31] that there's people on that list. Uh after it's open, there are different

[7:34] priorities uh that are are given uh in regards to the points uh as well. Uh but

[7:40] you know what? What I'm going to do at this time is I'm

[7:42] going to ask my housing manager to come up, who actually runs that part of that,

[7:46] and she can give a detailed explanation on that as well. Okay?

[7:51] Um Jamie Bernier is the housing manager. Thank you.

[7:53] » Keep this brief, cuz I know it's I know it's complicated.

[7:57] Um and we'd be happy to provide additional detail later on to you,

[8:00] Supervisor, if

[8:11] Disability and veteran status is on there as a list of preferences. They're

[8:15] categorized in priority um on a number system. And then there is a breakdown of

[8:19] that. So, to answer your question, yes, those are eligible preferences. They

[8:23] pre-qualify at the time of eligibility, we do bring them in. We go over that

[8:27] information, we verify veteran status, disability status, whatever that

[8:31] preference identified is, and then from there we move forward with eligibility.

[8:35] So, we can provide further information in an email if you'd like.

[8:38] » No, that was a good answer. I I guess my question is uh the list is constructed a

[8:42] year ago. Um new people go onto the waiting list, and can they jump over the

[8:48] people based on their eligibility status, including veteran and

[8:53] disability? Can they actually move up the chart ahead of others who have been

[8:56] on the waiting list? That wasn't clear in reading the material.

[9:00] Uh to simplify it, they can based on their

[9:04] preferences changing after they're on the wait list.

[9:07] So, if their circumstances, say they weren't previously homeless, and they do

[9:11] report to us that they now become homeless, then their preference will

[9:14] change, and they will move up higher on the list.

[9:16] Okay. >> common, but it does happen.

[9:19] Thank you. Any other questions?

[9:23] Thank you.

[9:26] Director Smith, I would have just have one question for all of these

[9:30] differing housing vouchers, do we give preference to those that have

[9:34] military service? Chairman Lingafelter, members of the

[9:37] board, I can say that there's never been a veteran that's come

[9:40] to Mohave County and not received, if they're eligible for the program,

[9:44] received housing through the through the Community Services Department. And

[9:48] you'll see that later on here, there's another

[9:50] request for five vouchers as well, so to make sure that we provide that. So, yes,

[9:54] the answer is yes. Any other question?

[10:00] Right. We'll move to item number five. Discussion possible action authorize

[10:03] Mohave County Housing Authority staff to submit funding application form HUD

[10:08] 52-515 to receive five additional HUD VASH

[10:12] vouchers which will bring Mohave County Housing Authority's total allocation to

[10:16] 205. HUD VASH vouchers administered. Director Smith, you want to give a brief

[10:22] overview on this? Sure. So, this came to us a while back and we applied for a

[10:25] letter of intent to make sure that HUD gives these to cross the board across

[10:30] the country. And if there's a need within the

[10:32] community, we go ahead and apply. We submit the letter of intent. We

[10:36] submitted the letter of intent. They couldn't tell us how many vouchers would

[10:38] be available but but said that you know they would move this forward.

[10:42] After that they gave us a letter and said if you'd like to you know

[10:46] request these and have the opportunity here. We also worked with our VA

[10:50] partners and asked them about this as well. Because the the process really

[10:54] starts with the VA. So, the when the veterans identified, they go over to the

[10:57] VA and then the VA has a counselor case manager that works through them and then

[11:01] we facilitate the financial component of this as well.

[11:05] Great. Discussion. Supervisor Wateman, thank

[11:08] you. I'm going to make a motion to authorize the Mohave County Housing

[11:12] Authority staff to submit funding application form HUD 52-515

[11:17] to receive five additional HUD VASH vouchers. Second. With that motion

[11:21] second, any additional discussion? Hearing none, all in favor please say I.

[11:26] I. All opposed? I. I just appear to have it and do have it. It's ordered.

[11:32] Item six financial report for the period April 2025 through March 2026.

[11:38] Director Smith. Thank you Chairman member of the boards.

[11:43] So, [clears throat] here with this here I would just note that you can see from

[11:46] the the number of of families assisted across the board and it really just

[11:51] breaks it down by city and we also have Colorado City and then the total for the

[11:55] county as well. And I'll answer any questions if there are.

[12:00] Any questions related to the financial report?

[12:04] Otherwise I'd entertain a motion.

[12:08] Oh, there's no there's no action required on this. Excuse me.

[12:14] Item number seven open public hearing. Questions and comments from the public

[12:18] pertaining to the Mohave County Housing Authority. Is there anyone in the

[12:21] audience wishing to provide public comments to the Board of Directors at

[12:24] this time?

[12:29] Seeing none. Under the next item.

[12:34] Right. Reminder to close the public hearing.

[12:39] I will close the public hearing on item number seven. Thank you Attorney Smith.

[12:42] Attorney Davis, appreciate that. Item number eight discussion possible action

[12:46] approval of the Mohave County Housing Authority

[12:49] A revisions to Mohave County Housing Authority's administrative plan summary

[12:53] of changes listed on exhibit A table of contents chapters 4, 9, 10 and 16.

[13:01] Thank you Chairman members of the board. So, really some of this was was verbage

[13:05] updates linking the the CFRs HUD forms just going through it high overview

[13:13] revise a few sentences for grammar few things of that nature. The things that I

[13:17] would would note uh

[13:19] would be if we go to page 91 on page 91 is really just limiting informal

[13:24] hearings to one per family type. That was one of the things that was a major

[13:29] change. Additionally on page 100 families out of compliance

[13:35] on repayment agreements cannot effectively move to another unit. So, if

[13:39] they already have a an issue of paying we're not going to go ahead and approve

[13:43] that to make that happen. And then families

[13:45] are not eligible of the next one on page 101 families are

[13:49] not eligible for a second repayment agreement for the same period for the

[13:53] violation. So, those are just a quick highlights of the changes that we made.

[13:57] And do you want to provide an update on the annual PHA plan fiscal year 2026 as

[14:01] well? There are no current updates on that at this time.

[14:06] All right. I'd open it up to the Board of Directors for discussion. Mr. Chair.

[14:11] So, I had a question back on page 10-4 about elective moves and I didn't know

[14:16] you could elect to move once you're on you're receiving vouchers from the

[14:20] county and some of the language in this definitely is constricting that. By the

[14:25] way, for reference it's on page 10-4.

[14:31] So, reasons that the MCH policy I I guess would prohibit an elective move

[14:37] and it talks about if the family's out of compliance on a repayment agreement

[14:41] or owes their current landlord money or if the family has violated the same

[14:45] family obligation or program requirement two or more times in the past 24 months

[14:50] from the month of request. Does this happen very often?

[14:56] » [clears throat] >> Chairman Lincolnfelter Supervisor

[14:58] Wateman, this doesn't happen often but but there are opportunities or these

[15:02] things do happen for the repayment. I believe when we when we went through the

[15:07] process of evaluating the past year of where we were at I believe it was less

[15:14] than 5% of of of all the participants that were on the program where there was

[15:18] an issue and then a repayment plan was was worked through. Okay. So, you're

[15:22] going to block an elective move if they're behind on their payments. That

[15:26] would be That's a good idea. I really like that revision.

[15:29] » Supervisor Wateman, that is correct. All I have.

[15:34] Any other discussion?

[15:38] Supervisor Wateman. I'll go ahead and make a recommended motion we approve the

[15:42] revisions to the Mohave County Housing Authority administrative plan

[15:46] table of contents and chapters 4, 9, 10 and 16 as outlined in exhibit A in the

[15:51] annual Public Housing Authority plan. Thank you for that. Do I have a second?

[15:55] » Second. With that motion and second, any additional discussion?

[15:59] Hearing none, all in favor please say I. I. All opposed? I.

[16:04] I just appear to have it and do have Item number B annual PHA plan fiscal

[16:07] year 2026. You just gave did Do you have anything else to say about

[16:11] that Director Smith or not? Not at this time, Chairman. I'd open it up for

[16:13] discussion or possible motion. Chairman. Supervisor Wateman.

[16:19] I'll make a recommended I'll make a motion adoption of resolution 2026-046

[16:25] authorizing the submission of the Mohave County Housing Authority's 2026 annual

[16:30] plan the certification of compliance

[16:33] certification by state or local official of the Public Housing Authority plans

[16:38] consistency with the consolidated plan for the fiscal year 2026

[16:42] and authorize the Chairman of the Board of Directors to sign the attached

[16:46] affirmation aforementioned certifications. Thank you, sir.

[16:50] Do I have a second? Second. Any additional discussion?

[16:54] Hearing none, all in favor please say I. I. All opposed? I. I just appear to have

[16:58] it and do have it. It's ordered. Thank you, Board.

[17:00] Discussion possible action adoption of resolution 2026-046

[17:05] authorizing submission of Mohave County Housing Authority's annual PHA plan

[17:10] PHA certificate of compliance certificate of the state office of PHA

[17:13] consistency with the consolidated plan for fiscal year 2026.

[17:18] Do you have an update on that? Director Smith.

[17:23] There's nothing to be This is just a typical process. There's nothing to be

[17:27] updated. >> Any discussion?

[17:29] Otherwise I'd entertain a motion. I think I just made that motion. Oh, I

[17:33] did. I did. I just Oh, you did you just did that one. Okay. Yes. It's passed.

[17:38] We need to go back to 8B then. I don't know if we

[17:42] if we uh approved annual PHA plan.

[17:45] » not. So, I'd open it up to

[17:49] 8B annual PHA plan fiscal year 2026 for motion. Okay. So, Mr. Chair I'll make an

[17:57] motion for approval of the revisions to the Mohave County Housing Authority

[18:00] administrative plan table of contents and chapters 4, 9, 10 as outlined in

[18:05] exhibit A. Second.

[18:08] Okay. All in favor please say I. I. I. All

[18:12] opposed? I. I just appear to have it and do have it. It's ordered.

[18:15] Thank you. Just confused also. Yes.

[18:18] Um Call to the public.

[18:22] Anyone here any have any generalized comments for the Board of Directors at

[18:25] this time?

[18:28] Seeing none, we'll go to announcements. >> An inquiry?

[18:32] An inquiry? Mr. Avilla?

[18:36] Yes. There's I just like to make an inquiry on

[18:40] what was the motion for our last meeting uh

[18:43] uh uh being objected to and we could no

[18:48] longer can uh continue with the meeting.

[18:52] Sir, it was my it was our understanding that the that the meeting was not

[18:55] properly noticed and so we had to we had to

[18:58] adjourn the meeting and in order to allow for the proper

[19:02] time to publicly notice the meeting and that's why we're meeting today. Okay.

[19:07] Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

[19:09] Any announcements?

[19:13] Seeing none. That's the last item on our agenda so we are adjourned.

[19:19] Thank you.

[19:40] And Ralph fight

Mohave County Housing Authority - Board of Directors 04 06 2026

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