EDW IN M. LEE, MAYOR REV. AMOS C BROW N, CHAIRMAN
SAN FRANCISCO HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES SAN FRANCISCO HOUSING AUTHORITY Community Partners Annual Plan 2012 Meeting May 8, 2012
SCHEDULED: 9:00am – 12:00pm at 1251 Turk Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Community Partners Present: Bevan Dufty Amanda Fried Dee Schexnayder Aimee Tharpe June Teofilo Victoria Tedder Jennifer Friedenbach Jennifer Pope Byron McKissak Minouche Kandel Claire McCullough Megan Baker Dan Bowersox Madeline Howard Sara Shortt Phillip Morgan Meliah Schultzman Jessica Lehman Karen Fishkin Patricia Thomas Carol Kuong Donna Chan Joyce Lam Magda Gregorski Mauricio Rodriguez Susanna Anderson Devra Edelman Keely McCave Ralph Payton
Organization Represented: Mayor’s Office/HOPE Mayor’s Office/HOPE Mayor’s Office/HOPE Mayor’s Office of Housing Arriba Juntos Independent Living Resource Center Coalition on Homelessness Applicant on waitlist Bay Area Legal Aid La Casa de las Madres Catholic Charities CYO Homeless Prenatal Program Bay Area Legal Aid Housing Rights Committee Bay Area Legal Aid National Housing Law Project Senior Action Network Senior Action Network Chinatown CDC Chinatown CDC Chinatown CDC SRO Families United Collaberative Compass Family Services Compass Family Services Compass Family Services Hamilton Family Center HFC-First Avenues Hamilton Family Center 1815 EGBERT AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94124 TELEPHONE: (415) 715-3951 TTY: 415.467.6754 WWW .SFHA.ORG
June Teofilo Jazzie Collins Tony Robles Theresa Imperial Caroline Caselli Debra Benedict Stephen Wallace J Femino Maxine Paulson
Arriba Juntos SAN Senior Action Network Veterans Equity Center St. Joseph's Family Center SAN, SHAC, CDR The Arc SF The Arc SF RAB
Welcome Introductions Preference Presentation/Overview Minouche Kandel, Bay Area Legal Aid, asked why the preference (those on the public housing priority transfer list may obtain a Housing Choice Voucher) was not included in the slide being projected reflecting the suggested preferences to date. Linda Martin-Mason, San Francisco Housing Authority, asked for clarification on the preference requested-whether it was a preference or suggested language for the Chapter on Transfers in the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy. Ms. Kandel, Bay Area Legal Aid, confirmed it should be a preference. Mrs. Martin-Mason, San Francisco Housing Authority, stated that it would be added for the discussion. Unknown Commenter asked how the preferences would be presented to the Board of Commissioners. Mrs. Martin-Mason, San Francisco Housing Authority, responded that the preferences suggested by the Community Partners will be brought the Resident Advisory Boards for comment. If the Resident Advisory Boards do not agree with the Community Partners, both suggestions will be presented to the Board of Commissioners. Jennifer Friedenbach, Coalition on Homelessness, requested a homeless preference for the Conventional Public Housing program. Ms. Friedenbach requested that the current preference for families in HSA shelters be expanded to families in any Homeless Shelter in San Francisco including all those individuals waitlisted for shelters, those with inadequate housing, families that have doubled up, and families in residential hotels. Further, Ms. Friedenbach requested that 2|Page
equal points be provided for the homeless preference as are currently allotted to the displacement preference because both have equal effects. Debra Benedict, SAN, SHAC, CDR, requested that a higher preference be provided to veterans with PTSD, in the hospital, institutionalized, and who are in drug rehabilitation centers. Karen Fishkin, Senior Action Network, suggested a preference for Homeless Seniors. Jazzie Collins, SAN, suggested Seniors in SRO hotels should be prioritized because they are living in conditions where their caretakers, whom Seniors rely upon, cannot get into the SRO or are too afraid to go into the SRO. Victoria Tedder, Independent Living Resource Center, requested that the Housing Authority go back to the federal preferences and bring back the Section 8 lottery format for choosing vouchers. Further, in regards to hotels, Ms. Tedder stated that anyone who is in an inaccessible place can claim a displacement preference. Susan Anderson, Compass Family Services, requested that the homeless shelter preference be expanded to include long term homeless shelters. Sara Shortt, Housing Rights Committee, requested that the Housing Authority maintain the status quo in the Housing Choice Voucher Preferences. Mauricio Rodriguez, Compass Family Services, requested that the Homeless Preference include transitional housing. Phil Morgan, Bay Area Legal Aid, stated that the preference for those who are on the welfare to work program limits Seniors and Disabled. Amanda Fried, HOPE, commented that if the homeless preference is too diluted it may not be as effective. Cindy Ward, HSA, expressed agreement with Ms. Fried. Mr. Rodriguez, Compass Family Services, commented that there are approximately 2,200 homeless children in San Francisco. Ms. Anderson, Compass Family Services, stated that there are many homeless families who need the Housing Authority’s support. Ms. Anderson suggested expanding the preference to those who are marginally housed and in transitional housing but to offer an extra point to those who are in HSA shelters. 3|Page
Magda Gregowski, Compass Family Services, commented that the focus should be on those who are most vulnerable and asked how “vulnerable� is defined. Further, Ms. Gregowski commented that this is a national discussion considering the increased needs for substandard housing and asked what alternatives are available. Ms. Gregowski suggested a preference for disabled and young parents. Unknown commenter requested that the preference of paying over 50% of income be added as a preference to the Conventional Public Housing preference list. Jazzie Collins, Senior Action Network, commented that with more seniors being foreclosed on they should be given a preference along with the those who are mentally disabled and Seniors who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and homeless should be provided a preference. Jennifer Pope, stated no desire to change the preference system but believes the people who have no chance of housing should be recognized. Ms. Pope suggested that the ranking should begin with the most vulnerable population and include those who are mentally disabled as well as those paying more than 50% income in rent. Ms. Benedict commented on evictions related to the Ellis Act. Ms. Shortt, Housing Rights Commission, commented that displacement includes the Ellis Act evictions. Minouch Kandel, Bay Area Legal Aid, commented that homeless families are more limited in their options for housing and as such, should be a priority. Mr. Morgan, Bay Area Legal Aid, commented that we should have a logical system of preferences. Additionally, Mr. Morgan commented that there should be a central list of housing available. Ms. Anderson, Compass Family Services, suggested that the most vulnerable households be prioritized. Ms. Anderson suggested homeless families as a preference. Further, Ms. Anderson requested that, in reference to the Housing Choice Voucher Program waitlist, that the individual be able to qualify for all preferences not just one. Ms. Fried stated that HOPE is also considering a centralized waiting list. Ms. Fried expressed interest in continuing that conversation and researching successful models in other parts of the country. Bevan Dufty, Director, HOPE, stated that he and Executive Director Alvarez, are committed to bringing more vacant units online. Further, Director Dufty expressed concern over those 4|Page
individuals who are aging in place in public housing, the percentage of children in public housing (2500 estimated) and moreover urged everyone to focus on the best interest of the families. Ms. Friedenbach, Coalition on Homelessness, suggested “teasing� out folks who have barriers to housing along with those who are experiencing homelessness, i.e. family with a disabled child. Ms. Friedenbach also suggested individualizing categories and differentiating between homeless families and all others. Ms. Friedenbach stated that these suggestions are reflected in the letter submitted on behalf of the Coalition on Homelessness on May 8, 2012. Ms. Friedenbach suggested opening the waitlist for the Conventional Public Housing program. Ms. Benedict, SAN, SHAC, CDR, suggested Cash mobs to attempt to raise money from corporations. Ms. McCullough, La Casa de las Madres, suggested that the current preference regarding Families in HSA shelters should include Domestic Violence Shelters as well. Dan Bowersox, Homeless Prenatal Program, expressed agreement with Ms. McCullough’s suggested and asked that the families in HSA shelter preference be further expanded to include all San Francisco Shelters. Break Mrs. Martin-Mason, San Francisco Housing Authority, asked the group for a vote on whether they would like to work within the 2012 Annual Plan timeframe to submit suggested preferences this year or wait until after July to amend the Preferences. The consensus was to complete the preference discussion for submission as part of the 2012 Annual Plan Process. Ms. Kandel, Bay Area Legal Aid asked whether the preferences would be ordered during the last portion of the meeting or whether suggestions would continue. Linda Martin-Mason, San Francisco Housing Authority, stated that it would be up to the group. A vote was taken and the consensus was to spend the remaining time to begin ordering the preferences beginning with Conventional Public Housing.
The following is what was resolved as of May 8, 2012 at 12:00pm for the Conventional Public Housing Program, in no particular order: 5|Page
Conventional Public Housing
Involuntary Displacement o o o o
Natural Disaster Domestic Violence Government Action Landlord Action
Veterans/Surviving Spouse of Veteran
Homeless Families in any family shelter, including DV shelters, in San Francisco or on the Connecting Point Waitlist and SROs. Sub-standard preference: (see section 8 waitlist) Seniors/PWDs in non-accessible housing
Mrs. Martin-Mason announced that another meeting would be called to complete the Public Housing preferences and to discuss the Housing Choice Voucher Preferences. Meeting Adjourned.
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