TAB 26
Pre-Letter of Findings Settlement Agreement
Violation Letters of Findings for Compliance Reviews with Post-findings Settlement
Agreements
(See also TAB 24)
Pre-LOF Settlement Agreement
Settlement Agreement Between the United States Department of Justice and
the Police Department of Any city, U.S
1. This Settlement Agreement is entered into by the United States Department of Justice
(DOJ) and the Any city, U.S., Police Department (APD). This Agreement resolves a complaint
filed with the Department of Justice (no. 000-00-0) alleging that officers of the Any city
Police Department engaged in racially discriminatory conduct, in violation of Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d.
2. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide for a cooperative effort by the
Department of Justice and the Any city Police Department to promote the use of management
practices by the APD that ensure that law enforcement is carried out in a
nondiscriminatory manner.
3. The effective date of this Agreement is the date of the last signature below. The
Agreement shall remain in effect for three years, except as follows. The Agreement shall
remain in effect beyond the three-year period for the purpose of the Any city Police
Department submitting the final update report to the Department of Justice required by
paragraph 10 of this Agreement, and the Agreement shall terminate in this regard as of the
date the Department of Justice provides written confirmation to the Police Department that
the final update report includes the requisite information and has met the terms of the
Agreement.
4. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits law enforcement agencies and
other entities that receive Federal financial assistance from conducting their programs or
activities in a manner that discriminates on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
The Any city Police Department is a recipient of Federal financial assistance from the
Department of Justice and is subject to the provisions of Title VI.
5. The Any city Police Department is committed to carrying out its law enforcement
responsibilities in a nondiscriminatory manner, in accord with the requirements of Title
VI. By entering into this Agreement, the Police Department does not admit to any violation
of Title VI.
6. This Settlement Agreement is effectuated pursuant to the authority granted the
Department of Justice, under Title VI, to investigate administrative complaints alleging
discrimination in the provision of services by law enforcement agencies and their officers
and to seek to resolve such complaints using voluntary, nonadversarial means. 28 C.F.R.
Pt. 42, Subpts. C and D. Entry of this Agreement does not preclude the Department of
Justice from carrying out its law enforcement duties under Title VI should a new complaint
be filed with the Department of Justice against the Any city Police Department or should
it determine that a compliance review is necessary; however, any such investigation shall
be conducted with due regard for the purpose and terms of this Agreement.
7. The Any city Police Department will ensure that all sworn officers and other
employees are fully aware of the commitment of the Police Department to carry out all law
enforcement activities in a nondiscriminatory manner, in accord with the requirements of
Title VI. The Police Department shall issue and distribute to all officers and employees
the statement of policy against discrimination attached hereto as Appendix A [draft to be
prepared by the Police Department and then attached after it is agreed to by DOJ]. Within
ten days of the effective date of this Agreement, a written copy of the policy shall be
distributed to each officer and employee, and the policy shall be read at roll-call for
all shifts. In addition, the policy shall be conspicuously posted at all police stations
on bulletin boards accessible to the general public and bulletin boards used for internal
notices to officers and employees.
8. Training - The Police Department will take the following measures to enable
officers and other employees to carry out their duties with skill and understanding in
working with the members of diverse communities in the City and to promote free and open
communication between law enforcement officers and community members.
A. The Police Department shall develop a comprehensive training program for all
officers in cultural diversity, integrity and ethics, and verbal de-escalation techniques
as an alternative to the use of force. Cultural diversity training shall include training
on how to relate to persons from different racial, ethnic, and religious groups, and
persons of the opposite sex, and shall include training in communications skills and
avoiding improper racial, ethnic, and sexual communications. Training on verbal
de-escalation techniques shall be integrated into all training that implicates the use of
force, and shall include specific examples of situations that do not require the use of
force but may be mishandled resulting in force being used. Training on these subjects
shall be part of the academy training curriculum and shall occur at the beginning of the
academy curriculum so as to serve as a foundation for all other classes. Post-academy
training in cultural diversity, and integrity and ethics, shall be given to officers at
least annually.
B. Preparations for the initial training program will commence within 30 days of the
effective date of this Agreement and will be completed within 180 days of this Agreement.
It will consist of three full days of training. The entire force of police officers,
including all supervisors and management staff, will participate in the training.
C. The Police Department will conduct repeat programs of the initial three-day training
program at least every six months, for the duration of this Agreement, for those officers
who have not previously received this training. In the interim, the APD, will distribute
training materials and guidance to employees who will be scheduled for the repeat programs
so that they will have knowledge of the substance of the programs. All police officers and
other personnel who work with the public are required to complete this training while
either in the police academy or within six months of assuming such responsibilities.
D. The Police Department will also conduct annual one-day training update seminars for
employees previously trained. The update seminars will include opportunities for
face-to-face dialogues involving an interchange of ideas, experiences, and solutions to
problems in an equal opportunity context. Such seminars will include such topics as an
update on recent case law and concerns related to police misconduct and nondiscriminatory
provision of law enforcement services and activities.
E. The Police Department will notify the DOJ of the APD's selection of the
contractor(s) or other provider to assist in the design and implementation of the training
programs set forth above. The DOJ will, at its option, confer with those responsible for
the design, implementation, and continuity of such training programs. For initial
training, the APD agrees to submit training program outlines, sample materials to be
provided to trainers and program trainees, and the questionnaires to be used for
evaluating the trainees' understanding of the contents of the training programs to the DOJ
for review and approval 30 days prior to the commencement of training. For the annual
update seminar, the APD will likewise provide the DOJ with any revisions to such materials
for its approval before implementing the revisions. The APD agrees that DOJ
representatives may attend scheduled training sessions and will inform DOJ of scheduled
training locations, dates, and times.
F. The Police Department shall review its existing training programs that it may wish
to continue to provide (to the extent they are not contained in the programs covered in
the preceding paragraphs) in cultural diversity, integrity and ethics, verbal
de-escalation techniques, and the complaint/commendation process, to ensure that the
standards and provisions set forth above are satisfied, and shall make modifications as
necessary and appropriate. This review shall provide for ongoing input from minority
community leaders and organizations.
G. The review conducted by the Police Department pursuant to Section 8.F, above, shall
also allow for ongoing input by the Department of Justice. Within 45 days of the effective
date of this Agreement, the Police Department shall provide to the Department of Justice a
detailed description of existing training programs it wishes to continue in cultural
diversity, integrity and ethics, verbal de-escalation techniques, and the complaint
adjudication process. Should the review conducted by the Police Department produce
proposed modifications, information on the modifications shall be provided to the
Department of Justice sufficiently in advance of the proposed implementation date to allow
for DOJ review and comment. The Department of Justice shall review the information
provided on existing programs and processes, and proposed modifications, and promptly
provide written comments. Within 30 days of receiving such comments, the Police Department
shall respond in writing to the Department of Justice setting forth in detail any
modifications that will be implemented (including the timetable for implementation), and
providing specific reasons for any decision to decline to implement (in whole or in part)
any modifications recommended by the Department of Justice.
9. Complaint/Commendation Process - The Police Department shall ensure that it
has in place a process by which persons may submit complaints or commendations about
police officers and other Police Department employees is fully accessible to all persons,
simple to use, fair, and effective.
A. Displays in police station lobbies and City Hall shall provide information on the
complaint/commendation process and relevant forms; information kits containing a written
description of the complaint/ commendation process and relevant forms shall be distributed
to community leaders and organizations; explanatory materials and forms shall be prepared
in those languages other than English spoken by residents of the City; provision shall be
made for receiving complaints and commendations by telephone, mail, and facsimile
transmission (in addition to in-person filings); and complaints may be filed by an
individual other than the alleged victim of misconduct. All officers and employees shall
be trained regarding the complaint/commendation process.
B. Complaints shall be investigated and adjudicated in a fair and unbiased manner. The
complainant shall be interviewed, except in the most limited circumstances, e.g., she or
he cannot be located or the conduct of the interview would conflict with an ongoing
criminal investigation. Within a reasonable period of time following the adjudication of a
complaint, the complainant shall be advised by letter of the adjudicatory result including
a summary of the reasons for the decision.
C. Within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the Police Department shall
review its complaint/commendation process. This review shall include an examination of the
manner in which citizens are informed of their ability to submit commendations and
discrimination complaints concerning APD staff and services, the procedures governing the
filing, investigation, and adjudication of citizen misconduct complaints and Department or
officer-initiated complaints (including any procedures for addressing or resolving
complaints in an informal manner), the levels of potential discipline and standards
governing which level is to be dispensed when a complaint is sustained, and the procedures
for informing citizens who file complaints of the results of the investigatory and
adjudicatory process. The Department of Justice also shall be provided with copies of
complaint forms and the relevant laws, rules, policy directives, and contractual
provisions.
D. The review of the complaint/commendation process shall provide for ongoing input
from minority community leaders and organizations. Should the review conducted by the
Police Department produce proposed modifications, information on the modifications shall
be provided to the Department of Justice sufficiently in advance of the proposed
implementation date to allow for Department of Justice review and comment. The Department
of Justice shall review the information provided on existing programs and processes, and
proposed modifications, and promptly provide written comments. Within 30 days of receiving
such comments, the Police Department shall respond in writing to the Department of Justice
setting forth in detail any modifications that will be implemented (including the
timetable for implementation), and providing specific reasons for any decision to decline
to implement (in whole or in part) any modifications recommended by the Department of
Justice.
10. Monitoring
A. The Department of Justice will monitor this Agreement. In addition to the documents
and materials specified in the preceding paragraphs, the Police Department will maintain
for a period of three years from the effective date of this Agreement all records relating
to the matters discussed above and make them available for review by the DOJ upon request.
B. The Police Department shall provide to the DOJ all complaints (not including
employment complaints) filed by members of the public, police officers, and the Police
Department during the term of this Agreement, that allege discriminatory conduct, use of
racial epithets, unauthorized force, unauthorized tactics, or unauthorized stops,
searches, or arrests; all civil cases filed or resolved during the term of this Agreement,
that concern conduct as police officers of sworn personnel of the Police Department; and
all criminal cases filed or resolved during the term of this Agreement, that concern
on-duty or off-duty conduct of sworn personnel of the Police Department.
C. The information provided shall include the date the misconduct complaint or civil
complaint was filed; the name of the misconduct complainant or civil plaintiff; the
complainant's or plaintiffs gender and race or national origin; the name of the officer
that is the subject of the misconduct complaint, civil complaint, or criminal prosecution;
the officer's rank, time on the force, gender, and race or national origin; the complaint
or case number, and case caption; a summary of the alleged wrongful conduct, identifying
the date when it allegedly occurred and location where it allegedly occurred; and the
resolution or current status of the complaint, civil lawsuit, or criminal prosecution,
including any disciplinary action taken.
D. The first report containing the information outlined in paragraphs 10, B and C,
above, shall be submitted six months after the effective date of this Agreement. Updates
shall be provided thereafter every six months concerning new discrimination and other
misconduct complaints, civil complaints, and criminal prosecutions, and concerning the
status and resolution of misconduct complaints, civil lawsuits, and criminal prosecutions
for which information previously was provided.
11. The Department of Justice may request additional documents and information based on
the information provided by the Any city Police Department, or based on events that occur
during the term of this Agreement. The Department of Justice shall seek to place
reasonable limits on the amount of any such additional information requested, and the
Police Department shall make good faith efforts to promptly provide requested documents
and information.
12. The Department of Justice shall review documents and information provided by the
Any city Police Department and shall provide its analysis to the Police Department at
appropriate times and in an appropriate manner, consistent with the purpose of this
Agreement to promote cooperative efforts.
13. This Agreement is a public document, and copies shall be provided to members of the
public upon request at no charge. Immediately after the Agreement becomes effective, the
Police Department shall issue a press release announcing the Agreement and announcing that
copies of the Agreement are available to the public. The Police Department also shall
immediately place, for three consecutive Sundays, in local newspapers (including those
commonly subscribed to by the city's minority communities) a notice that announces the
entry of this Agreement, states the commitment of the Police Department to carry out all
law enforcement activities in a nondiscriminatory manner in compliance with Federal law,
and advises that members of the public may submit complaints or commendations regarding
police officers or other Department staff to the Police Department. Copies of the
Agreement immediately shall be posted on all bulletin boards accessible to the general
public located in city hall and all police stations, and shall remain posted for the
duration of the Agreement.
14. The Any city Police Department agrees that it will not retaliate against any person
because that person files a complaint, provides information or assistance, or participates
in any other manner in an investigation or proceeding relating to this Agreement.
15. If at any time any party to this Agreement desires to modify it for any reason,
that party shall notify the other parties in writing of the proposed modification and the
reasons therefor. No modification shall occur unless there is written agreement by the Any
city Police Department and the Department of Justice.
16. This Agreement is enforceable through specific performance in Federal court.
Failure by any party to enforce this entire Agreement or any provision thereof with
respect to any deadline or any other provision herein shall not be construed as a waiver
of its right to enforce other deadlines and provisions of this Agreement.
[Note: For an Agreement following a formal violation finding, add the following
provision as a separate paragraph: Failure to comply with any of the terms of this
Agreement constitutes a violation of Title VI and may lead to termination or suspension of
Federal financial assistance or referral to the Department of Justice for litigation.]
17. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties on the matters
addressed herein, and no other statement, promise, or agreement, either written or oral,
will be enforceable under its provisions.
18. Signatures
For the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Coordination and
Review Section:
Merrily A. Friedlander
Chief
Federal Coordination and Compliance Section
Date
For the City of Any city, US:
Charles Headcop
Chief of Police
Any city, US
Date
Violation Letters of Findings for Compliance Reviews and Post-findings Settlement
Agreements
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-2000
August 14,
CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. _________
Acting Executive Director
The Housing Authority of the __________
SUBJECT: Letter of Findings of Noncompliance
Title VI and Section 504 Compliance Review
Housing Authority of the City ___________
Case File Number: ________
Dear Mr. _________
The _______ 0ffice of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity has completed a review of the
Federally-assisted, low-income public housing program (LIPH) and Section 8 program
administered by the Housing Authority of the City ________ (BHA). The review was conducted
under the authority of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d et
seq. (Title VI), and the regulations issued thereunder, 24 CFR Part 1, and Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794 (Section 504), and the regulations
issued thereunder, 24 CFR Part 8.
The on-site visits to the BHA were conducted June 4-6, 199_ and June 17-20, 199_. The
areas of review included admission and continued occupancy policies, tenant selection and
assignment, maintenance, program accessibility and reasonable accommodations. HUD
interviewed 42 tenants and many of the BHA's employee staff.
As you know, BHA was designated a Troubled Public Housing Agency by the Department's
Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) on April 14, 199_. Subsequently, the Department
instituted a mentoring program utilizing the employees of the _________ Regional Housing
Authority ________, located in ________, _______. As you are part of the mentoring
program, we appreciate your efforts as the BHA, Executive Director and your cooperation
during the Title VI and Section 504 review. When the new BHA board members are appointed
and inducted, we ask that you present them with a copy of this letter of findings.
Based upon the evidence, the Department finds that the BHA is a recipient of Federal
financial assistance as defined by 24 CFR Part 1 and 24 CFR Part 8; the BHA is in
noncompliance with Title VI and the Title VI regulations at 24 CFR § 1.4; and the BHA is
in noncompliance with Section 504 and the Section 504 regulations at 24 CFR §§ 8.4,
8.20, 8.21, 8.23, 8.24 and 8.25.
TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
Title VI states that "...no person in the United States shall, on the ground of
race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits
of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal
financial assistance." The findings of noncompliance with Title VI and its
implementing regulations are based on the following evidence.
Segregation and Illegal Steering
The BHA administers 912 units of public housing and 25 Section 8 vouchers/certificates.
Of approximately 790 occupied public housing units, there are 389 Black residents, 251
White residents, and 139 Other/Vietnamese.
The BHA steers Black and Vietnamese applicants to three developments, ________, and
_______ is tenanted by 139 Black families, 2 White families, and 35 other/Vietnamese
families. ________ is tenanted by 1 Black family, and 72 Other/Vietnamese families.
_________ is tenanted by 73 Black families, 17 White families and 16 Other/Vietnamese
families.
The BHA administers 25 Section 8 vouchers/certificates. White families have 9
vouchers/certificates, Black families have 11 vouchers/certificates, and five vouchers/
certificates are currently being offered to applicants. At the time of the review, despite
a significant number of Vietnamese families in the BHA's public housing, no Vietnamese
families are participating in the BHA's small Section 8 program. There were seven families
on the Section 8 waiting list, 5 Black families and 2 White families.
The BHA has a long history of racial segregation, dating back to the construction of
________, the designated "Black" project, in the 1940's. ________ remains
tenanted by predominantly Blacks, and the BHA has apparently taken no affirmative steps to
desegregate it. According to BHA staff members, White applicants do not ask for and are
not offered units at _________.
Interviews with tenants revealed that BHA staff consistently offered Blacks housing at
_________. BHA tenants uniformly view _________ as the most undesirable BHA development.
Interviews with two Vietnamese tenants indicated that BHA staff either discouraged
Vietnamese applicants from applying for the Section 8 program or did not inform Vietnamese
residents about the Section 8 program. One Vietnamese tenant stated that, when he did not
state a preference for a particular development, ________ the BHA's Vietnamese translator,
took him directly to _________. Vietnamese applicants were steered to the ________.
_________ and ________ developments.
The racial segregation was further compounded by the BHA's practice of asking
applicants where they preferred to live rather than following the Title VI requirements
for tenanting public housing at 24 CFR § 1. 4 (b) (2) (ii). The management aide primarily
responsible for taking and processing applications provided an affidavit admitting that
she had been directed by her supervisor, the Director of Occupancy, to ask applicants if
they had a preference for any particular BHA development.
The Director of Occupancy admitted that applicants were asked if they had a preference
for a development. He stated that, if an applicant expressed a preference, BHA tried to
accommodate it.
The BHA's receptionist, who also took applications for housing, confirmed that the BHA
regularly asked applicants if they had a preference for a particular BHA development.
However, the receptionist stated that, while White and Black applicants for housing stated
a preference for BHA's better maintained developments in equal numbers, White applicants
were placed in these developments in greater numbers than Blacks. She also stated that
Vietnamese applicants, who expressed a preference for ________ or _________ were assigned
to those sites.
In addition to the racial steering and segregation at _________ and _______,
investigators observed that White and Black tenants appeared to he segregated by floors at
the ________ development.
Disparate Treatment in the Application Process
There is evidence that the BHA treats Black applicants differently than White
applicants in determining whether applicants are eligible for public housing in violation
of 24 CFR § 1.4(b)(1)(v). HUD interviewed 24 Black tenants and 16 White tenants. During
the application process, two Black male tenants stated that they were asked about their
criminal records or to provide police reports during the BHA's application process.
However, none of the White male tenants interviewed stated that they had been asked for
police reports or their criminal records. This points to a disparity in the application
process as to what documents are required from applicants based on race.
Disparate Treatment in the Length of Time an Applicant Must Wait for an Offer of
Housing
There is a disparity in the waiting period for placement between White applicants and
Black and Vietnamese applicants. The White tenants interviewed reported waiting on average
less than one month for housing. The Vietnamese and Black tenants interviewed reported
waiting on average at least two months for housing.
Disparate Treatment in the Conditions of the Developments and in the Provision of
Maintenance Services
There is a disparity in the physical conditions of the _________ (73%
Other/Vietnamese), _______ (79% Black), and _______ (69% Black) developments and the
physical conditions of the developments with a high percentage of White tenants, ________
(68% White) and ________ (72% White).
Historically, the _________ development was predominantly tenanted by Blacks and very
poorly maintained. However, since major renovations were completed, including the
installation of central air conditioning in every unit, the number of White tenants
occupying ________ units has dramatically increased. The __________ development is
currently 58% Black, 27% White, and 15% Other/Vietnamese.
There is evidence that Black tenants are charged for normal wear and tear repairs,
while White tenants generally are not charged. A BHA maintenance staff worker reported
that the BHA discriminates against Blacks in the manner in which it assesses charges for
damages and repairs at ________.The _________ maintenance employee said the units were not
"fit for a dog" when residents are moved into the units. Black residents were
charged for repairs of wear and tear items and repair work not completed before the
residents moved into their units at _________. The employee stated that he was removed
from performing repairs at ________ when he refused to write up the charges.
The investigators reviewed 627 routine work orders for the month of April, 1997. Of the
627 work orders, 187 were for repair work performed at the homes of Black residents, 142
were for repair work performed at the homes of White residents, and 48 were for repair
work performed at the homes of Vietnamese residents. (One hundred twenty-five work orders
were at either vacant units or the race of the resident could not be identified.) Of the
187 orders for repair work performed at the homes of Black residents, 60 families (32%)
were charged for the work. Of the 48 orders for repair work performed at the homes of
'Vietnamese residents, 33 families (68%) were charged for the work. Of the 142 orders for
repair work performed at the homes of White residents, 16 families (11%) were charged for
the work.
Most of the minority tenants interviewed complained that the Maintenance Department
responded very slowly, or not at all, to their requests for repairs. White tenants
interviewed did not report any significant delays in response to their maintenance
requests.
Conclusion
The evidence demonstrates that the BHA treats Black and Vietnamese applicants and
tenants differently because of their race or national origin. This pattern of disparate
treatment is buttressed by evidence of racial animus on the part of ________ Chairman of
BHA's Board of Commissioners. White BHA employees provided signed statements that Mr.
_________ used racial epithets. One employee heard him use the terms "porch
monkey" and "watermelon eater" when referring to Blacks. Two employees
heard Mr. _______ refer to a Black former member of the BHA Board as an "affirmative
action n**ger" and refer to the Vietnamese member of the Board as a "slope
head." One employee heard Mr. ________ state, in reference to the applicants for the
position of BHA Executive Director, "Every f***ing n**ger in ________ has applied for
this job." Mr. _______ denied making these statements.
SECTION 504
Section 504 states that "...no otherwise qualified individual with handicaps in
the United States shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from the
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." The findings of
noncompliance with Section 504 and the Section 504 regulations at 24 CFR 8.4; 8.20; 8.21;
8.23; 8.24 and 8.25 are based on the following evidence.
Illegal Inquiry into the Nature and Severity of an Applicant's Disability
The BHA's application for low income public housing contains a question inquiring into
the nature and severity of the applicant's disability in violation of Section 504. The
question included inquiries into the medical history of the applicant.
Lack of Policies and Procedures regarding Section 504
In violation of 24 CFR § 8.53, the BRA did not maintain and could not provide any
grievance procedures to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of Section 504
complaints. Also in contravention of 24 CFR § 8.53, the BHA, does not have a Section 504
coordinator.
Failure to Provide Reasonable Accommodations
The BHA did not maintain and could not provide a reasonable accommodations policy for
applicants for employment and housing, employees, and program beneficiaries.
The review identified several instances where the BHA did not provide reasonable
accommodations to program beneficiaries with disabilities who requested accommodations.
Specific findings with respect to this are listed below.
Failure to Create Program Accessability
When undertaking substantial alterations to its apartments, the BHA did not retrofit
units to make them accessible for persons with disabilities. The BHA selected some
dwelling units that could not be made accessible, such as second floor units in
non-elevator buildings, and placed some accessible features in them. As identified below,
alterations to units selected under the Comprehensive Grant program for accessibility
modifications did not comply with Section 504 requirements and Uniform Federal
Accessibility Standards (UFAS). The BHA's public and common use areas, such as
administrative site offices and laundry rooms, are not accessible.
Specific Findings
______________Apartments
The administrative office was not on an accessible route, and there were no accessible
parking spaces for the office. Accessible parking spaces for the dwelling units are less
than 96 inches wide. The laundry room is not on an accessible route, and there is no
accessible washing machine.
The BHA listed _______ Unit #24 as accessible; the accessible entrance to the unit is
through the back door into the kitchen. The ramp leading to the unit is 36 inches wide
with no handrail, causing an unprotected drop of approximately 18 inches at the top of the
ramp. The bathroom is not useable by a person in a wheelchair; the distance between the
basin and the opposing wall is 28 inches, making it difficult or impossible for a person
who uses a wheelchair to use the toilet and the bathtub. It is likely that there is
insufficient turning space for an individual using a wheelchair to go from the kitchen and
bedroom into the living room.
The BHA listed ________ unit #13 as accessible; the unit is on the second floor of a
two-story building with no elevator. The unit is not accessible to persons with mobility
impairments.
Sidewalks in ________ are not accessible because of steps, cracks, and generally poor
maintenance, making them impassable by wheelchairs.
_______ Apartments
The administrative office was not on an accessible route, and there were no accessible
parking spaces for the office. Accessible parking spaces for the dwelling units are less
than 96 inches wide. The laundry room is not on an accessible route, and there is no
accessible washing machine.
The BHA listed ________ unit #52 as accessible; the unit had minor and correctable
access barriers. The threshold to the bathroom was not beveled. The entrance to the
kitchen was only 30 inches wide.
The BHA listed _______ unit #46 as accessible. The bathroom is not accessible to
persons who use wheelchairs because the distance between the stationary grab bars around
the toilet and the wall is only 28 inches, preventing access to both the toilet and the
bathtub. There is insufficient turning space in the kitchen.
The review team interviewed one resident who uses a wheelchair most of the time,
although he can walk for short distances. The resident told us that he was originally
housed in a second floor unit, ostensibly because it was the only unit available. He
carried his wheelchair up and down the stairs. The resident now lives in a first floor
unit, but the unit is not accessible. He must carry his wheelchair up the step at the
entrance to the unit.
_________ Apartments
Accessible parking spaces for accessible dwelling units at _______ are less than 96
inches wide.
The BHA identified _______ unit #8 as accessible. The review team was not able to view
the interior of the unit. It appears that there is insufficient turning radius from the
hall to access the dwelling.
_________ Apartments
The administrative office was not on an accessible route, and there were no accessible
parking spaces for the office. Accessible parking spaces for the dwelling units are less
than 96' inches wide. The laundry room is not on an accessible route, and there is no
accessible washing machine.
The review team interviewed a resident who uses a wheelchair and who lives in unit #42.
The resident requested a ramp and an accessible route to the parking lot, laundry and
on-site management office. The BHA did not respond to his request when modifications were
being made pursuant to the Comprehensive Grant Program. Subsequently, the BHA installed a
ramp at the entrance to the unit. However, the ramp was unsafe; it consisted of
deteriorating plywood and cracked cement at the ends. Additionally, the unit is not
accessible. The shelves in the kitchen are too high for persons who use wheelchairs. The
entrance door threshold is 1 ½ inches high and is not beveled. The bathroom door entry
clear space is too narrow. The pipes under the kitchen sink are not insulated to protect
the resident from getting burned.
While on-site, the review team informed the newly-appointed BHA maintenance staff about
the deteriorating plywood ramp and cracking cement supporting it. Within a few hours of
informing the BHA staff, BHA, laborers visited #42 to examine the unit and began
installing a temporary ramp which would be replaced by a proper permanent ramp. The
laborers stated they would also paint the unit and install a new stove per the disabled
resident's request.
The BHA housed a non-disabled resident in an accessible unit at #57 _______, that did
not need the accessible unit, despite the need of other residents with disabilities. The
BHA has no policy on transferring families who do not need the features of accessible
units to a non-accessible unit when the accessible unit is needed by a person with
disabilities.
The BHA did not accommodate the resident at #10 ________ who lives in a two-story
inaccessible unit and had requested a one-story accessible unit as an accommodation for
her mobility disability.
You may request a complete review of this letter of findings within 30 days of receipt,
by mailing or delivering to _______, Director, Program Compliance Division, Office of Fair
Housing and Equal Opportunity, 451 7th Street, S.W., Room ____ Washington, D.C. 20410, a
written statement of the reasons why the letter of findings should be modified in light of
supplementary information.
The Department would like to resolve this matter as soon as possible. Such resolution
must be reduced to a written voluntary compliance agreement (VCA). The Department proposes
that
conciliation efforts with you take place on August 19-21, 199_, in the BHA offices and
that a Board meeting be scheduled for August 21, 199_ to approve the VCA. A proposed VCA
will be sent to you in advance for your consideration. If you have any questions, please
contact attorney ______________ at ________.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may be necessary to release this document and
related correspondence and records upon a third party's request. In the event that HUD
receives such a request, we will protect, to the extent provided by law, personal
information which, if released, would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
The Department appreciates your cooperation in this review.
Sincerely,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
THE OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
v.
Housing Authority of the City of ___________
VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT
1. Introduction
A. Under the authority of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §
2000d-1 ("Title VI"), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29
U.S.C. § 794 ("Section 504"), the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development ("HUD" or "the Department") conducted a compliance review
of the Housing Authority of the City of ________________ ("the Authority" or
"BHA"). The compliance review was conducted on June 4-6, 199_, and June 18-24,
199_, and focused on the BHA's application process, tenant selection and assignment
policies and practices, program accessibility, provision of reasonable accommodations, and
treatment of residents and applicants.
On August 14, 199_, the Department issued the attached letter of findings, see Appendix
I, and concluded that the Authority was not in compliance with Title VI and Section 504
and their respective implementing regulations at 24 C.F.R. Parts 1 and 8.
This Voluntary Compliance Agreement ("Agreement" or "VCA")
addresses the issues raised-in the letter of findings and the BHA's responsibilities under
the civil rights statutes enforced by HUD.
II. General Provisions
A. This Agreement applies to all federally funded developments and related facilities
that the BHA, its agents, successors, and assigns or beneficiaries own, control, operate
or sponsor.
B. The BHA agrees to refrain from discriminating against any person in violation of
Title VI, Section 504, and Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. §§
3601-3619 (the "Fair Housing Act" or "the Act") and to refrain from
retaliating against any person who has exercised his/her civil rights; has participated in
any manner with respect to the above-referenced compliance review; or participated in any
manner in protecting the civil rights of BHA's residents.
C. The Department may do an on-site review of the BHA's compliance with the provisions
of this Agreement, and the BHA will grant the Department's employees access to its
premises, records, and personnel with reasonable notice during normal business hours,
during the pendency of this Agreement.
D. The effective date of this Agreement is the date of the last signature in section
XII. This Agreement shall remain in effect for the period of five years following the date
of execution, unless HUD determines that the Agreement must be revised or extended based
on its review of the BHA's performance under the Agreement and notifies the BHA to this
effect prior to the expiration date. The Department will monitor the BHA's efforts at
implementation of this Agreement and revise the Agreement based on the performance of the
BHA.
E. By its acceptance of this Agreement, the BHA agrees to waive its right to request a
review of the letter of findings, issued on August 14, 199_.
F. This Agreement does not increase or diminish the ability of any person or class of
persons to exercise their rights under Title VI, Section 504, the Fair Housing Act, or any
other federal, state, or local civil rights statute or authority. This Agreement does not
create any private right of action for any person or class of persons not a party to this
agreement.
G. This Agreement does not affect the ability of HUD to take action under appropriate
statutory or regulatory authorities.
H. This Agreement is a public agreement. A copy of this Agreement and all reporting
data BHA generates to comply with this Agreement shall be made available to any person in
accordance with law. BHA shall provide a copy of this Agreement to any person upon
request. BHA shall provide a copy of reporting data it generates to comply with this
Agreement to any person upon request in accordance with State of Mississippi Freedom of
Information procedures.
I. The BHA shall, at its own expense, contract with a translator of the Vietnamese
language to translate all policies, procedures, and communications with residents set
forth in this Agreement. Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American residents and applicants will
receive a copy in Vietnamese and a copy in English of all policies, procedures and forms.
J. The BHA shall submit all documents, policies, procedures, lists, plans, reports, and
assessments produced under this Agreement for written approval to Fanny Chestnut-Hairston,
Director of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity's Program Operations and
Compliance Center, HUD ____________ Office, _____________Federal Building, ______________
and Director of the ______________ Office of Public Housing, ____________ Street
_____________________________, or their successors.
K. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement the BHA will designate an
Agreement Administrator who will report to the Executive Director and the Department. The
term of the Agreement Administrator will be for the term of the Agreement. The Agreement
Administrator will coordinate the BHA's compliance with the requirements with Title VI and
the Fair Housing Act and will have the responsibility for seeing that all the provisions
of this Agreement are implemented and for coordinating the VCA activities with the Section
504 Coordinator (see Section VIII of this Agreement) and the Complaints
Administrator (see Section II. L. of the Agreement). The Agreement Administrator
will devote on average, over the term of this Agreement, at least fifty percent (50%) of
his/her time to this assignment.
L. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA will employ or
appoint a Complaints Administrator who will report to the Executive Director and who will
serve as a point of contact for any of the BHA's residents who have complaints about the
BHA's policies, procedures, practices or services or who experience racial or
ethnic harassment as a result of accepting a transfer to a different BHA development. The
Complaints Administrator shall be responsible for coordinating the actions the BHA will
take under its anti-harassment and discrimination policy set forth later in this
Agreement; for coordinating with the Agreement Administrator and the Section 504
Coordinator; and for implementing the procedures set forth in Section IX and Appendix VI.
III. Policy Against Discrimination
The BHA hereby adopts the policy statement against discrimination and retaliation found
at Appendix II, expressing its condemnation of discrimination and retaliation. The
Authority will develop procedures it will use to inquire into incidents of harassment
occurring on Authority property, including referral to law enforcement authorities, which
may include the Department, the United States Department of Justice or the Federal Bureau
of Investigation and local law enforcement officials when appropriate. The BHA shall
submit their procedures to the Department for its written approval of the procedures.
Within 60 calendar days of the Department's written approval of these policies and
procedures, the Authority will distribute it to its employees and residents utilizing the
notification process set forth in Paragraph X.
IV. Tenant Selection and Assignment and Remedial Transfers
A. Within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA shall adopt
Admissions and Continued occupancy policies and a Tenant Selection and Assignment Plan
substantially similar to the Sample Admissions and Continued occupancy Policy at Appendix
III. The BHA shall submit its new Admissions and occupancy policies and its Tenant
Selection and Assignment Plan for written approval in accordance with Section II.J. of
this Agreement.
B. Within 45 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA shall develop for
distribution to all African-American, Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American residents at the
__________________and ____________ developments a letter informing them that, as a result
of HUD's findings of pervasive racial segregation by the BHA and this Agreement resolving
those findings, they are eligible for transfer to all other BHA developments. The letter
shall include a form which residents may return to the BHA if they want a transfer. The
form shall elicit information relevant to determining what size unit is appropriate for
the resident and whether the resident needs an accessible unit. The letter shall state.
that residents should return the transfer form to the BHA central office or BHA on-site
management offices at ________________ and _________ developments and it shall advise
residents that they will be placed on the waiting list based on the date and time they
originally applied for BHA housing. The BHA shall determine the date and time from the
information on the Family Characteristics Report (HUD Form 50058) that is in each
residents' file.
C. The BHA shall submit this letter and transfer form described in paragraph B above to
the Department for written approval in accord with section II.J. of this Agreement. Within
15 days of HUD's written approval, the BHA shall distribute the letter and transfer form
to all African-American, Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American residents at the
______________and ___________ developments.
D. The BHA shall create a Remedial Waiting List consisting of the transfer forms it
receives pursuant to Section IV.B. The BHA shall collect these transfer forms from
residents for a period of three months following the date the letter and transfer form is
distributed to residents. Forms shall be accepted at the central office or the on-site
management offices. The Remedial Waiting List shall then be organized pursuant to
paragraph IV.B. and residents on the Remedial Waiting List shall be eligible for any of
the BHA's available units except for those at _____, ______, ____ ____ and _________.
E. Residents on the Remedial Waiting List will receive one transfer offer, unless a
refusal of the offer would constitute a hardship as defined by the BHA's Tenant Selection
and Assignment and Plan. In the case of a refusal due to hardship the resident's name will
be placed on the bottom of the Remedial Waiting List. A refusal of a second offer will
result in the resident's removal from the Remedial Waiting List. The letter to the
residents should advise them of this one offer policy and the fact that the BHA will be
improving the conditions at _______________ and __________ so that residents may make an
informed decision as to whether to transfer.
F. The BHA shall pay all costs associated with these remedial transfers, including
moving expenses and utility deposits.
G. Within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA shall develop for
distribution to all its residents who live in projects other than _______________ or
_________, a letter which advises them that they may request a desegregative transfer from
their developments to _______________ or __________. This letter shall be submitted to the
Department for written approval and shall be distributed to the residents within 30 days
of the Department's approval. The BHA will make its best efforts to facilitate any
desegregative transfers that are requested.
H. The only exception to provisions in IV.D. will be for current residents and
applicants (including those on BHA's regular waiting list) who need accessible units.
Applicants who need accessible units must be offered accessible units before they are
offered to any residents on the Remedial Waiting List who do not need accessible units.
V. Compensation for Discriminatory Maintenance Charges
A. Within 90 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA agrees to establish
a fund, minimally in the amount of $10,000.00, to fully compensate African-American and
Vietnamese residents who were discriminatorily charged by the BHA for maintenance work on
their units since January 1, 199_. (Examples of discriminatory maintenance charges include
but are not limited to: charges for the installation of smoke detectors; charges for
maintenance done to prepare units for initial occupancy; charges for maintenance problems
for which the resident was not responsible; and improper maintenance overcharges.)
Following the establishment of this fund, the BHA and the Department and/or its designee,
shall jointly review the BHA's records and will prepare a list of claimants who may be
entitled to compensation. This compensation list shall be submitted to HUD for its
examination and written approval in accord with section II.J. of this Agreement.
B. Within 60 days of HUD's written approval of the list described in A. above, the BHA
shall reimburse those resident's who were subjected to discriminatory maintenance charges.
C. If the BHA and the Department determine that the total amount of all the claims
exceeds the amount of funds available, the victims will be paid on a prorated basis to be
approved by the Department in accord with Section II.J. of this agreement.
D. The BHA agrees to retain all maintenance records currently in its possession for the
five year period of this Agreement.
VI. Desegregation
A. Within 120 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA shall contact all
families with children residing at the ______________ and _________ developments and
inform them that they may be eligible for relocation to an appropriately sized unit in the
front of the complex. Thereafter, as vacancies occur in the _____________ and __________
developments, the BHA shall take affirmative steps to transfer those families with
children to appropriately sized units located in the front of these two developments.
B. As vacancies occur in the _________ development, the BHA shall take affirmative
steps to desegregate the floors of the development.
C. No family currently residing in the _____________ or _________ developments will be
involuntarily moved to comply with this section of this Agreement. The BHA's desegregation
efforts under this section shall take place as units become vacant and new leases for
those units are executed.
D. The BHA shall submit an annual report on its desegregation efforts under this
subsection to the Department in accord with section II.J. of this Agreement.
VII. Physical Assessments and Improvements
A. The BHA, with the assistance of PIH or PIH's designee shall do an immediate
assessment of the physical condition of _______________ and __________ including a survey
to detect the presence of asbestos and lead based paint. Based on the assessment these
sites should be targeted for immediate remedial actions, including extensive
rehabilitation and the introduction of additional amenities (air conditioning, improved
laundry facilities, etc.) to improve the quality of life for the residents.
B. The BHA shall submit its assessment of the _______________ and _________
developments and a plan and a budget for making the improvements within 120 days of the
effective date of this agreement for written approval in accordance with section II.J. of
this Agreement.
C. Immediately, upon approval of the plan and the budget described in B above, the BHA
shall start taking the remedial actions set forth in the plan. Priority shall be given to
remedial actions at the ______________ and _________ development.
VIII. BHA Section 8 Assistance
A. Within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA shall draft a letter
to inform BHA residents and applicants of housing opportunities available through the BHA
's public housing and Section 8 programs and submit the letter to the Department for
written approval in accordance with section II.J. of this Agreement.
B. The letter shall further state that, pursuant to HUD's findings of discrimination by
the BHA and the subsequent conclusion of this Agreement, current residents of BHA public
housing, who are willing to sign a declaration under oath that they were not notified by
the BHA or its representatives of the Section 8 program, may contact the BHA to be placed
on the Section 8 waiting list. The letter shall clearly state the limited nature of the
BHA's Section 8 program (25 certificates/vouchers) and the annual turnover for these
vouchers and certificates so that a resident can make an informed decision concerning his
or her chances to be a participant in the program.
C. Within 30 days of the Department's written approval of the letter, the BHA shall
distribute the letter to all its residents.
D. The BHA shall place all residents who contact the BHA pursuant to this provision on
the Section 8 waiting list according to the date and time on which they originally applied
for housing with the BHA. The BHA shall determine the date and time from the information
on the Family Characteristics Report (HUD Form 50058) which is in each residents file. E.
The BHA retains the right to contract with ____________ Regional Housing Authority
__________ to administer its Section 8. However the provisions of this section will still
apply.
VIII. Reasonable Accommodation and Accessible Housing
A. The BHA hereby adopts the policy statement at Appendix IV with respect to reasonable
accommodations and discrimination on the basis of disability.
B. The BHA shall make every effort to ensure that all communications with applicants or
residents under this policy will be in a format or language appropriate to meet the
communication skills of the individual requesting the accommodation. Any meetings required
by this policy will be held in a location physically accessible to the person seeking an
accommodation. To fulfill its statutory obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation,
the BHA agrees to adopt the procedures set forth in Appendix V.
C. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the Acting Executive
Director shall designate a Section 504/ADA Coordinator to administer issues relating to
accessibility of housing and reasonable accommodations, and to coordinate VCA activities
with the Agreement Administrator and Section 504 issues with the Complaints Administrator.
The BHA shall notify HUD of the person designated.
D. Within 45 days of the appointment of the Section 504 coordinator, the BHA will
provide the necessary reasonable accommodations and modifications for the disabled
residents residing in the units listed in the "Specific Findings" in the August
14, 199_, letter of findings attached as Appendix I.
E. Within 60 days of the appointment of the Section 504 coordinator, the BHA, with the
assistance of the Department or its designee, shall survey all public housing residents to
determine if any resident needs an accessible dwelling unit or needs accessible features
added to their current unit. Prior to conducting the survey, the BHA, with the assistance
of the Department's Offices of FHEO and PIH (or its designee), shall provide training to
the persons conducting the survey and to the site managers on the nondiscrimination
requirements of Section 504. After completing the survey, the BHA shall develop a plan
with timetables for completing all of the requests for reasonable accommodations
identified during the survey. This plan shall be submitted to the Department for
written approval in accord with section II.J. of this Agreement.
F. The BHA shall, within 90 days of the appointment of the Section 504 coordinator,
conduct an evaluation of its policies, procedures, and practices to determine whether they
discriminate against persons with disabilities, and shall correct any problems. The
Department or its designee, will provide the BHA with technical assistance in this
reviewing process.
G. Within 60 days of the appointment of the Section 504 coordinator, the BHA shall
revise its lease to advise residents who are housed in accessible units and who do not
need the accessible features that they may be required to transfer to a different dwelling
unit should a person with disabilities need the accessible features of the unit.
H. Within 120 days of the appointment of the Section 504 coordinator, the BHA shall
complete an accessibility survey of its housing stock and public and common use areas. The
survey must be designed to identify each dwelling unit that is fully or partially
accessible, barriers to accessibility in the public and common use areas, and solutions to
providing accessibility. The Department or its designee, will provide the BHA with
technical assistance to complete this accessibility survey.
I. Within 30 days of the completion of the accessibility survey, the BHA shall prepare
a Transition Plan incorporating specific accessibility changes to assure that a minimum of
five percent of the dwelling units at each site are accessible to persons with
disabilities in accordance with 24 CFR § 8.32 and HUD Notice PIH 90-48. The Transition
Plan shall include time frames for compliance and must be submitted for written approval
to the Department in accord with section II.J.
IX. Complaint Procedure
The BHA hereby adopts the internal grievance procedure for the prompt and equitable
resolution of complaints, including, but not limited to, complaints alleging housing or
employment discrimination found at Appendix VI. The adoption of this grievance procedure
shall not prevent residents or employees from filing discrimination complaints with the
Department or any other civil rights agency.
X. Resident and Community Notification
A. Within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA will distribute to
current residents of the BHA a copy of the policies, without signature page two, found at
Appendices II and IV and the inquiry procedures referenced in Section III of this
Agreement.
B. Within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA shall also
distribute to all residents or recipients of the BHA housing assistance a letter
summarizing the grievance procedure at Appendix VI, notifying them of their rights and
responsibilities under the procedure, and providing them with a copy of the procedure. The
BHA shall distribute a copy of the letter and procedure in English and Vietnamese to all
Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American residents. The letter must be submitted in advance of
distribution to the Department, for written approval, in accord with section II.J. of this
Agreement.
C. Within 45 days of the Department's written approval of its policies against
discrimination and its new tenant selection and assignment policies and procedures for
handling ________________ discrimination complaints, the BHA will advertise in a newspaper
of general circulation in ___________________ and then in any other media outlets that may
reach large segments of the African- American or Vietnamese community to advise the public
of its new policies and procedures. To fulfill its responsibilities, under this provision
the BHA may utilize radio and TV public service announcements, and notifications in church
bulletins and newsletters. The notifications and media outlets to be utilized must be
submitted to the Department for written approval in accord with section II.J. of this
Agreement prior to publication.
D. Within 15 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA will display Fair
Housing posters to be provided by HUD in prominent locations in the BHA's central office
lobby, in the community center, on-site management offices, and development laundry
facilities.
E. Within 45 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA shall advertise in a
newspaper of general circulation in _______________ and then in any other media outlets
that may reach large segments of the African-American or Vietnamese community that the BHA
will maintain a list of local civil rights organizations interested in the operations of
the BHA, and that interested groups should notify the BHA Executive Director in writing if
they wish to receive notice of its actions and activities, and BHA Commission meetings.
The BHA will provide 14 days notice of its regular Board meetings to any group that
responds in writing to that advertisement. The notifications and media outlets to be
utilized must be submitted to the Department for written approval in accord with section
II.J. of this Agreement prior to publication.
XI. Employee Education and Training
A. HUD or its designee, in conjunction with the BHA will provide an educational program
for all employees within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement on all matters
relating to their responsibilities under Title VI, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and
the provisions of this Agreement.
B. Within 15 days of the educational program date of this agreement, the BHA will
distribute the policies found at Appendices 11, IV, V, and the inquiry procedures
referenced in Section III of this Agreement to all its employees. Each employee shall sign
and date the policies at Appendices II and IV, acknowledging that (s)he has received, read
and understood the letter and has received instructions and training as described in the
preceding paragraphs. Signed and dated copies of the policies shall be retained in each
employee's personnel file as evidence of the BHA's compliance with this provision and of
the employee's knowledge of the terms of the policies.
C. Each new employee of the BHA hired after the effective date of this Agreement, will
be provided with the policies at Appendices II, IV, V, and the inquiry procedures
referenced in Section III of this Agreement. This will occur within 5 days of the date
(s)he commences employment with the BHA. A signed and dated copy of Appendices II and IV
shall be retained in the employee's personnel file as evidence of the BHA's compliance
with this provision and of the employee's knowledge of the terms of the policy. BHA shall
include training on the employees responsibilities under this Agreement and the civil
rights authorities as part of its orientation of new employees.
XII. Recordkeeping and Reporting
A. For a period of five years from the effective date of this Agreement, the BHA shall
continue to maintain records required under HUD regulations, which disclose all
individuals who apply for housing and the manner in which each applicant is treated, i.e.,
whether said individuals are accepted or rejected and the basis for any rejection. In
addition, the BHA shall maintain all the BHA resident files, including applications for
residency, rental agreements or leases, notices and letters to residents, and notices of
termination, along with any and all material relating to the BHA's desegregation efforts
and the racial composition of its project sites.
B. During the upgrading of the BHA's computerized record keeping and reporting systems,
the Department and the BHA will work together to develop systems to supply computerized
reports that will satisfy the Department's need for appropriate electronic reporting
information, including reports under this VCA. This Agreement will be modified to reflect
any advancements in the BHA's record keeping or reporting abilities.
XIII. Effect of Noncompliance With This Agreement
The parties intend to resolve their disputes with respect to noncompliance with this
agreement in a timely and efficient manner. The Department may take any of the following
actions for noncompliance.
A. Any act(s) or omission (s) of a BHA employee that violates the terms of this public
agreement may serve as grounds for HUD imposing debarment, see 24 CFR § 24.300;
suspension, see 24 CFR § 24.400; or limited denial of participation, see 24
CFR § 24.705.
B. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this public agreement may serve
as grounds for HUD declaring a breach of the annual contributions contract (ACC) with
respect to some or all of BHA's functions.
C. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this public agreement may serve
as grounds for HUD withholding some or all of BHA's grant. See 24 CFR § 968.335.
D. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this public agreement may serve
as grounds for HUD referring the matter to binding arbitration pursuant to the rules and
procedures of the American Arbitration Association and judgment on the award rendered by
the arbitrator may be entered in federal court. The arbitrator shall award to the
prevailing party, if any, as determined by the arbitrator, all of its costs and fees.
"Costs and fees" mean all reasonable pre-award expenses of arbitration,
including the arbitrator's fees, administrative fees, travel expenses, out-of-pocket
expenses such as copying and telephone charges, court costs, and witness fees.
E. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this public agreement may serve
as grounds for the United States to seek specific performance of any or all of the
provisions of this agreement in federal court.
F. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms this public agreement may serve as
grounds for the Department to conduct a compliance review under section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
G. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this public agreement may serve
as grounds for the United States to pursue an action in federal court for failure to
comply with civil rights authorities.
H. The acts set forth in this Section are not mutually exclusive and the Department has
the right to pursue any or all of these remedies or any other remedies available under
law.
I. Nothing contained herein prevents or restrains the BHA from challenging any actions
taken or threatened to be taken by HUD pursuant to this agreement or otherwise.
XIV. Signatures
For the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Fair
Housing and Equal Opportunity
For the Bureau __________ ____________
Dated: September 30, 199_
OVERNIGHT DELIVERY FEDERAL EXPRESS
Mr._______________
Executive Director
________________ Housing Authority
SUBJECT: Letter of Findings of Noncompliance
Title VI and Section 504 Compliance Review
______________ Housing Authority
Title VI Case Number: _______
Section 504 Case Number: ___________
Dear Mr. _____________:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has completed a review of the
low-income public housing program (LIPH or public housing) and the Section 8 certificate
and voucher program (Section 8) administered by _______________________ Housing Authority
(PCHA). The review was conducted under the authority of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ {2000d et seq. (Title VI), and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794 (Section 504).
Title VI states that "No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race,
color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or
be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance." Section 504 states that "no otherwise qualified individual with
disabilities in the United States shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be
excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
The Department conducted on-site visits to PCHA in July, August and September 199_. The
Department also conducted an occupancy audit and will issue that report separately. In the
course of the investigation, HUD interviewed 64 tenants, 63 Section 8 applicants, and 15
PCHA employees and focused on PCHA's application taking, tenant selection and assessment,
provision of maintenance services, program accessibility, and access to facilities and
community centers.
BACKGROUND
PCHA administers 645 units of low income public housing (public housing). PCHA owns and
operates two LIPH family developments: _______________ (185-units) and _______________
formerly, ____________ (200 units) and two elderly developments: _____________ (100 units)
and, ____________ (110 units). Under a management contract with the ____________ Housing
Authority (DHA), PCHA also manages 50 units (30 family/20 elderly) of public housing at
the _____________________ development.
PCHA administers 2,490 Section 8 certificates and vouchers. New recipients of PCHA's
certificates and vouchers may utilize them to obtain private rental units in all
unincorporated areas of _____________ and all municipalities (cities), except the cities
of _____________ and _________________ that are also in ________________.(1)
PCHA also manages two housing developments, _____________ (475 units) and
_________________ (236 units)(2),2 under a management
contract with _________ Housing Corporation (PLVHC). PLVHC, established in 198_ is a
non-profit agency and instrumentality of PCHA, and owns _________ and ________________.
PCHA's Executive Director is the general manager of PLVHC and makes day-to-day decisions
for PLVHC.
According to data PCHA reported to the Multifamily Tenant Characteristics Support
System (MTCS), the average income of families in PCHA low income housing as of April 1997
is $7,284. MTCS data also showed that 79.0% of PCHA tenants had annual incomes of less
than $10,000, and 17.0% had incomes between $10,001 and $15,000. According to the 1990
Census, there are 99,544 ____________ County households with incomes below $15,000. They
are 88.0% White, 10.7% African-American, and 1.3% other. The racial composition of the
56,913 _______________ County households with incomes below $10,000 is 86.0% White, 12.5%
African-American, and 1.4% other.
FINDINGS
The Department finds that PCHA is in noncompliance with Title VI, and Section 504.
Specifically, PCHA excludes African-American elderly families from its elderly low income
public housing developments and Section 8 program; tolerated a racially hostile
environment at the _________ and _____________ developments; perpetuated the past effects
of segregation in its two family developments, ______________ and _______________; treats
residents in the predominantly African-American development _____________________
differently than other residents because of their race; and fails to provide program
accessibility.
I. Exclusion of African-American Elderly from PCHA Programs
A. Discrimination Against Elderly Families in Low Income Public Housing
PCHA's elderly developments ______________ and ___________ are almost exclusively
White. These developments are adjacent and are overseen by the same site manager.
Currently, only one African-American tenant resides in PCHA' 210 units of elderly public
housing; PCHA's elderly public housing is 0.05% African-American.
A review of applications in the tenant lease coordinator's desk drawers indicated that
10.0% of the elderly applicants for PCHA's public housing were African-American.(3) The racial composition of low income elderly households(4) in _________ County is 93.6% White, 6.0% African-American,
and 0.5% other.
The elderly public housing developments of the ___________ Housing Authority (SPHA) and
the __________ Housing Authority (CHA) serve larger percentages of African-American
elderly than PCHA does. While PCHA's elderly public housing developments are 0.05%
African-American, SPHA's one elderly development is 51.0% African-American and CHA's three
elderly developments are 19.6% African-American.
Since 198_, only four of PCHA's 210 elderly public housing units have been rented to
African-American elderly tenants. HUD investigators interviewed three of the four
African-American tenants who have lived in __________ and ___________ since 1987. The
African-American tenant, who currently resides at _________________ has lived there since
November 199_. She does not report encountering problems at ______________. However, the
two African-American former tenants stated that they had experienced incidents of racial
harassment while living at those developments.
One African-American elderly woman, who currently lives at __________ lived at
_____________ in 199_. She told investigators that she did not feel safe while living at
_________________ because she was attacked by two White youths who tried to rob her. She
believes that the attack was racially motivated. She reported the incident to PCHA
management office. She said that it was this incident that prompted her to request for a
transfer out of _____________ in January 199_.
Another African-American tenant and her now deceased husband lived in _____________
from the Fall of 199_ through April 199_. The widow told HUD staff that the couples first
weeks at _____________ they were harassed by other residents who called them
"n**gers". She also said that their cars were vandalized (broken windows,
slashed tires, and salad dressing thrown onto their vehicle), their bedroom window was
broken, eggs were thrown at their door, and mail taken from their mailbox. The couple
could not identify who was harassing them. PCHA employees witnessed some of the damage,
including fecal matter at the couple's door.
The site manager stated that the couple repeatedly complained of vandalism and racial
harassment. He also stated that PCHA never conducted an investigation of the incidents.
PCHA officials asked the couple to contact the police. Records confirm that the couple
contacted the police and filed reports in June 199_ and March 199_. In April 199_, PCHA
transferred the couple to ________ for medical reasons.
PCHA tolerated a racially hostile environment at these developments, did not take
action in response to allegations of racial harassment, did not conduct investigations of
the incidents, and did not provide adequate security for its African- American elderly
residents at _____________ and _______________ .
While some African-American elderly tenants are being housed at ____________ the family
development, those tenants do not have access to the variety of programs available at PCHA
elderly developments. Those programs, provided under the auspices of Neighborly Senior
Services, include: congregate meals, Meals-on-Wheels, medical services, bingo, arts and
crafts, parties, shopping, and extensive referral services. These services are not offered
at PCHA's family developments. The exclusion of African-American elderly from PCHA's
elderly developments not only denies housing to African-American elderly residents, but
also denies them the opportunity to receive the benefits of these services.
B. Section 8
1. Exclusion of African-American elderly families from the Section 8 Program
PCHA excludes African-American elderly families from its Section 8 program.
African-American elderly residents of ____________ told HUD investigators that PCHA never
informed them about the Section 8 program.
PCHA administers 2,490 certificates and vouchers: 1,402 are utilized by the elderly,
and 1,088 by families. Of the 1,402 elderly residents receiving PCHA Section 8 assistance,
1,322 (94.0%) are White and 56 (4.0%) are African-American. Asians and Hispanics comprise
less than 1.0% each, and the races of 18 (1.0%) are unknown. While only 4.0% of PCHA's
elderly Section 8 recipients are African-American, the ___________ and ______________
Housing Authorities' elderly Section 8 population are 28.0% and 37.0% African-American
respectively.
2. Special treatment of White elderly Section 8 applicants
PCHA allows White elderly persons to apply for and obtain Section 8 assistance when
PCHA's waiting list is closed to all other applicants. PCHA takes applications from
persons who are already living in or who have been notified that they will be accepted at
several predominantly White elderly assisted housing developments in ______________.
Individuals from these developments are not placed on PCHA's Section 8 waiting list, and
their applications for Section 8 assistance are taken at times when PCHA's waiting list is
closed.
A PCHA Section 8 tenant lease coordinator told HUD staff that she takes applications
from _______________ (99% White), _____________ (96% White) and _____________ (96% White
in Section 8 units). The coordinator gave HUD staff a list of three other assisted housing
developments where Section 8 tenant-based certificates and vouchers are used. These
developments are ______________ (85% White), _________________ (97% White), and
________________ (97% White).
The White applicants from these developments receive Section 8 assistance ahead of
persons of all races with earlier dates and times of application who are on the waiting
list. This diversion of resources to White elderly prevents or delays African-American
elderly families and African-American families with children on the waiting list from
receiving Section 8 assistance.
PCHA maintains a resource list of landlords who accept Section 8 vouchers. This list is
provided to certificate and voucher holders to help them locate available housing in the
area. With the exception of _________________ the other elderly developments discussed
above are not on the resource list. This practice results in PCHA steering eligible
African-American elderly away from these predominantly White sites.
3. Exclusion of Elderly from ______________
PCHA manages the _______________ (475 units) development under a management contract
with __________________________ (PLVHC). PLVHC is a non-profit agency and instrumentality
of PCHA, and owns __________________________ . (PCHA's Executive Director is the general
manager of PLVHC and is in charge of PLVHC's daily operations.
Applications for PCHA's Section 8 program are accepted at __________________(5) are maintained at this site, and are maintained in a
separate waiting list for this development. On September 5, 199_, the ____________________
Section 8 Waiting List contained 253 applicants with the following racial composition:
51.0% White, 0.8% African-American, 1.2% Hispanic, and 47.0% unidentified. (6)6
During HUD's on-site review, the site manager stated that the total peculation of
__________________ is 488, of whom three (0.01%) are African-American.
II. Exclusion of Non-Elderly {African-Americans from Section 8 Assistance
Of the 2,490 certificates and vouchers that PCHA administers, 494 (20%) are utilized by
African-American participants. This contrasts with CHA which has 40% and SPHA which has
77% of its Section 8 assistance utilized by African-American participants.
African-American families receiving Section 8 assistance constitute 18% of PCHA's total
Section 8 recipients, whereas African-American families make up 36% and 73% of CHA and
SPHA's total Section 8 recipients.
PCHA does not advertise the opening of its Section 8 waiting list in the minority media
and does not conduct outreach to minority organizations.(7)
When specifically asked by the HUD staff about outreach to minority organizations or
churches, a PCHA employee stated that PCHA did not do any outreach to the minority
community to let them know about opening the Section 8 waiting list.
Despite the lack of outreach to the minority community, more than half of the 63
applicants waiting in the Section 8 application line on the morning of August 4, 199_, the
date PCHA opened its waiting list, were African-American. The racial composition of those
waiting suggests that African American interest in the Section 8 program exceeds the
proportion of their representation in this PCHA program.
III. Disparate Treatment of African Americans in PCHA Family Low Income Housing
A. Perpetuation of Segregation
Historically, the racial composition of residents of _____________ (formerly
_____________) has been almost exclusively African-American. {Statistical data collected
by HUD show the racial composition of ______________ occupied units to be: 100%
composition of African-American in 198_, 91% African-American in 199_, and 98%
African-American in 199_. MTCS data show the racial composition of _____________ as of
April 199_ to be: 95% {African-American, 3% White, and 2% Asian or Pacific Islander. The
___________________________________, ______________________________________ (AI)
characterizes the ______________ area, where ______________________ is located, as an area
where African-American households gravitated because of customs and ordinances in
surrounding towns that encouraged racial discrimination and segregation.(8)
(AI at page 7.)
Previous HUD reviews show the racial composition of _______________, PCHA's other
family development, to have been predominantly White. Statistical data collected in those
reviews show the racial composition of occupied units to be: 91% White in 198_, 83% White
in 199_, and 85% White in 199_. The February 27, 199_ Annual Report for __________
reported its racial composition as: 70% Caucasian, 16% Hispanic, 12% Black, and 2%
"Oriental". MTCS data as of April 1997 show the racial composition of
_____________ to be 83% White, 14% African-American and 1% Asian or Pacific Islander.
During the Department's July 199_ on-site visit, HUD determined that _________________
is now 11% White, 83% African-American, 4% Hispanic, and 2% Other. _______________ is
currently 67% White, 16% African-American, 13% Hispanic, and 4% Other.
A review of the move-in data from January I through July 22, 199_, shows a departure
from the historical patterns at the family developments. During that time period, only 51%
of the move-ins at _____________ were African-American. To the contrary, 66% of the
_________________ move-ins were White, which is consistent with the historical data.
PCHA's Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) provides that "The
Authority shall maintain a one offer system. The applicant at the top of the
community-wide list holding a Federal Preference shall he offered an appropriate unit at
the location containing the largest number of vacancies." (ACOP at page 16). PCHA
submitted the ACOP to HUD for approval on November 5, 199_, and the ACOP is still in
effect although PCHA has eliminated the federal preferences and created local preferences.
Interviews with PCHA staff and a review of the records revealed that PCHA did not
maintain a waiting list, and did not assign units to applicants based on the one-offer
system. Neither the current PCHA Tenant Lease Coordinator nor her predecessor adhered to
the "one offer" system. The current Tenant Lease Coordinator stated that when
she notifies an applicant for a family unit that a unit in their bedroom size is
available,(9) she informs the applicant of all the
available units at PCHA's two family developments. If units are available only at one
family development but the applicant prefers the other development, the Tenant Lease
Coordinator keeps the applicant at the top of her file and calls when a unit is available
in the development the applicant prefers. This practice allows the Tenant Lease
Coordinator to give applicants more than one offer despite the Authority's written policy.
A review of tenant files disclosed that many tenant leases had notations showing
preferences for _________________ or _______________________. The current Coordinator
stated that if an applicant has requested a unit in a particular development, she notes
that request on their application by writing "FV" if the applicant prefers
_____________ or "RV" if the applicant prefers ________________. Site
preferences appeared on applications of both White and African-American applicants.
The former Tenant Lease Coordinator also utilized a system of tenant assignment which
deviated from the "one offer" system. If the former Coordinator told applicants,
who had completed formal applications, about all vacancies in their required unit size.
This practice also resulted in PCHA giving applicants more than one offer.
PCHA's departure from the one-offer system perpetuated the historical pattern of
segregation of PCHA's two family housing developments through 199_. While the January-July
199_ move-in numbers demonstrate that PCHA's use of an ad hoc multiple offer system was
breaking this historical pattern, departure from the one-offer system set forth in the
ACOP violates program rules and 24 C.F.R. § 1.4(b)(2)(ii).
B. Failure to Allow ___________ Residents to Transfer into the Section 8
Program
Tenants (elderly and nonelderly residing in ______________ are effectively excluded
from Section 8 program. PCHA's Executive Director has stated that he rarely approves
transfers of PCHA. public housing residents to the Section 8 program.(10)
Interviews with African-American PCHA tenants at ____________ confirmed that they
understood that it would be impossible for them to apply for the Section 8 program because
they live in public housing. These tenants stated that PCHA officials informed them either
(1) that they were not eligible for Section 8 if they were already living in public
housing, or (2) that they had to live for a year out of public housing (thus forcing them
to move out) before they could apply for Section 8 assistance.
PCHA's policy and practice of not allowing ______________ tenants to apply for the
Section 8 program because they already lived in subsidized housing violates HUD program
regulations(11) and results in the exclusion of
African-American residents living in _____________________ from PCHA's Section 8 program.
C. Terms and Conditions in Family Developments
1. Maintenance
PCHA's policy throughout its public housing developments is to charge tenants for
tenant "abuse items" but not normal wear and tear. The standard maintenance
policies throughout its public housing developments is to charge tenants for "tenant
abuse items" but not normal wear and tear. The standard maintenance charge is
$7.30/half hour. HUD reviewed the maintenance procedures at _____________ and
________________.
A comparison of these policies indicates that _____________ tenants are allowed to
perform minor maintenance to avoid the $7.30/half hour labor cost, whereas _______________
tenants are prohibited from performing minor repairs. PCHA maintenance workers perform
preventive maintenance monthly at ________________, but the ______________ policies do not
indicate similar services are provided there. These differences in policy have the effect
of subjecting tenants in _________________ to higher maintenance costs and fewer free
maintenance services than residents of _________________.
Lawn Care Policies
PCHA charges ______________ tenants $1 per month for lawn mowing,(12)
whereas __________________ residents are required to provide or pay for their own
individual lawn maintenance for both the front and back yards. Residents are required to
mow their lawns periodically or pay a $10.00 fine per occurrence for noncompliance, in
addition to a charge for PCHA mowing. __________ tenants also stated that they are also
fined $10.00 per violation for not keeping their lawn mowers and lawn care equipment
inside their units.
PCHA provides no storage facilities for _______________ tenants' lawn maintenance
equipment, so lawn mowers must be stored inside their units. Two ___________ residents
complained that they had to purchase their own topsoil and grass, seed even though the
front was barren when they moved in. One tenant, whose front lawn was destroyed by a fire
set by vandals, had to pay to have the debris removed and to have branches cut down. She
also had to pay to regrass the entire front yard.
3. Trash/Garbage Removal
_______________ tenants and those at PCHA's elderly sites have several large communal
dumpsters throughout the common areas. These tenants are not responsible for purchasing
and managing their own outdoor trash cans or subject to fines for trash policy violations
related to the placement of their trash cans and lids. ______________ tenants do not pay
fines for trash and garbage violations. They are only required to pay the cost of PCHA
maintenance time to clean up the garbage or trash.
The trash/garbage policy applicable to ________________ residents is more stringent
than that in effect at _______________. The ______________ written policy, effective April
7, 1997, provides that PCHA staff will inspect and pick up trash in common areas daily,
and also conduct daily inspections of tenants' yards and porches for the following
violations: trash, cars parked on the grass, trash cans in the yard on a non-trash day,
missing trash can lids (unless a trash item is too tall to close the lid), unacceptable
furniture on the porch, landscaping and building materials in yard without the manager's
approval.
__________________ tenants are issued 24 hour warnings to correct violations, except
for discarded mail and flyers. PCHA imposes fines (usually $10.00 per day, except $6.60
per day for missing trash can lids) if the problem is not remedied within 24 hours. If the
problem persists for three days from the issuance of the 24 hour warning, PCHA will take
corrective action for the tenant, and charge the tenant for the action as well as fines
that have accrued. Tenants are fined $1.00 for each piece of discarded mail or flyer
bearing a tenant's name that PCHA staff pick up anywhere on the housing development's
grounds. There is no opportunity to cure such violations before the imposition of a
fine.
______________ tenants explained that they are charged $10.00 per day/occurrence when
they do not immediately remove their trash cans from the front yard on trash days or if
the can is in the yard on non-trash days. Tenants stated that _______________ maintenance
men periodically "patrol" the neighborhood reporting these infractions of the
________________ trash policy to management who then record it onto the rent logs and the
fine is collected with the tenant's rent. The rent logs show that some tenants have been
charged for trash in their yards in amounts ranging from $10.00 to $150.00.
4. Exclusion from Community Center and Other Facilities
Interviews of _______________ tenants indicated that use of the community center and
playgrounds by the ___ Club, Girls Club, and Head Start have deprived them of use of these
facilities. One tenant stated that children could not use the site playgrounds because of
their use by the __ Club and Girls' Club and the tenants inability to pay fees required to
participate in these programs.
Similarly, PCHA has leased the _____________ Center to the Head Start program.
___________________ residents do not have access to the community center for its Tenant
____________ Association's meetings, parties or other activities. ______________ Tenant
Association President was told to turn in her keys to the Community Center. As a result,
the _____________ Tenants' Association must meet off-site.
IV. Section 504
A. Failure to Make Reasonable Accommodations
PCHA failed to make reasonable accommodations to tenants. PCHA has no policy with
respect to either offering tenants reasonable accommodations or responding to tenant
requests for reasonable accommodations.
PCHA received several requests from its residents who needed ramps to their dwelling
units to accommodate their disability. PCHA's policy is to treat these requests the same
as tenant requests for installations additions and/or modifications to the premises,
whereby site managers approve the alterations, but alterations are done at tenant expense.
PCHA staff confirmed that ramps for disabled tenants could be installed, but tenants, not
PCHA, would bear the expense of ramp installation.
Interviews with site managers indicated that bathroom grab bars are provided to elderly
tenants, at PCHA expense. However, it is not clear whether these grab bars are permanent
or "Portable." Portable grab bars do not meet the requirements of the Uniform
Federal Accessibility Standards.
B. Unlawful Inquiries Regarding Disability
PCHA uses policies and procedures and other methods of administration that have the
purpose and effect of screening out or otherwise discriminating against persons with
disabilities. Specifically, the Authority's application materials make unlawful inquiries
into the nature and severity of applicants with disabilities. For example:
i) The "Verification of Disability/Handicapped" form asks for the nature of
the disability.
ii) The form also asks when the disability began.
iii) The "Preliminary Application" form asks for the nature of the
disability.
iv) The "Preliminary Application" form, asks whether the applicant or spouse
have been hospitalized in the past three years.
v) The "Preliminary Application" form asks whether the applicant or spouse
has participated in a drug abuse or an alcohol abuse program.
vi) The "Preliminary Application" form asks "can you take a second floor
apartment (walk up steps).
vii) The "Health Maintenance Record" form asks 1) if there are any allergies,
2) what routine medicines are taken, 3) if there is a special diet, and 4) if there are
hearing problems.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Fair Housing Act prohibit such unlawful use of inquiries
or other methods of administration that discriminate against persons with disabilities.
C. Lack of Grievance Procedures and Section 504 Coordinator
PCHA does not maintain any grievance procedures to provide for the prompt and equitable
resolution of Section 504 complaints. PCHA's May 26, 1994 grievance policy defines
"grievance" as "any dispute which a tenant may have with respect to the
Public Housing Agency (PHA) action or failure to act in accordance with the individual
tenant's rights, duties, welfare or status." Since PCHA leases make no reference to a
disabled tenant's right to receive reasonable accommodations to PCHA's policies,
procedures or dwelling units, the grievance policy does not serve as a mechanism to
resolve Section 504 complaints.
Also in contravention of 24 C.F.R. § 8.53, PCHA does
not have a Section 504 Coordinator. When asked who serves as PCHA's Section 504
Coordinator, the Executive Director responded: "I guess that would be me."
D. Needs Assessment, Transition Plan, Structural Chances to Housing Facilities
On April 12, 199_, PCHA notified the Department's ____________ office that it would
complete the Section 504 work by May 15, 199_ to comply with an existing Section 504
Voluntary Compliance Agreement. However, PCHA has failed to come into compliance.
PCHA did not consider the needs of all its tenants and applicants, including those with
hearing and visual impairments, in determining the number of units that needed to be made
accessible. Nor did the Authority complete structural changes to the common areas and its
housing facilities consistent with § 8.25(c).(13) HUD
staff observed that modifications have not been made to some PCHA common areas. Interviews
with PCHA staff revealed that portable grab bars been made provided to some PCHA elderly
tenants and ramps to units have been installed at tenant expense.
You may request a review of this letter of findings within 30 days of receipt, by
mailing or delivering to _______________ Director, Program Compliance Division, Office of
Fair Housing and Equal opportunity, 451 7th Street, SW, Room ______, Washington, D.C.
26410, a written statement of the reasons why the letter of findings should be modified in
light of supplementary information.
The Department would like to resolve this matter as soon as possible. Such resolution
must be reduced to a written voluntary compliance agreement (VCA). The Department proposes
that conciliation efforts with you take place on October 15-16, 199_ in the Department's
______ office. A proposed VCA will be sent to you in advance for your consideration. If
you have any questions please contact ____________ attorney at ___________, and __________
(TDD).
Under the Freedom of Information Act, it may he necessary to release this document and
related correspondence and records upon a third party's request. In the event that HUD
receives such a request, we will protect, to the extent provided by law, personal
information which, if released, would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
The Department appreciates your cooperation in this review.
Sincerely,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
THE OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
AND
THE _________________________________
I. Introduction
Under the authority of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §
2000d-1 ("Title VI"), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29
U.S.C. § 794 ("Section 504"), the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development ("HUD" or "the Department") conducted a compliance review
of the ___________________ Housing Authority ("the Authority" or
"PCHA".) The compliance review was conducted July through September 199_, and
focused on the PCHA's application taking process; tenant selection and assignment; and
maintenance services, as well as the physical accessibility of PCHA housing and
facilities.
On September 30, 199_, the Department issued a Letter of Findings and concluded that
the Authority was not in compliance with Title VI and Section 504 and their respective
implementing regulations at 24 C.F.R. Parts 1 and 8. On October 31,199_ PCHA responded by
filing a Request for Review of the Letter of Findings setting forth therein that PCHA
disputed many of the facts in the Letter of Findings.
While the PCHA makes no admission to any past violations, the PCHA agrees to enter into
this Voluntary Compliance Agreement ("Agreement" or "VCA") which
addresses the issues raised in the Letter of Findings and the PCHA's Request for Review,
and the PCHA's responsibilities under the civil rights statutes HUD enforces.
II. General Provisions
A. This Agreement applies to all federally-funded developments and related facilities
that the PCHA; its agents, successors, non-profit corporations, and assigns or
beneficiaries own, control, operate or sponsor.
B. The PCHA shall refrain from discriminating against any person in violation of Title
VI, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 ("the Fair Housing Act"), 42
U.S.C.§§ 3601-19; Section 504, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990
("ADA"), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-17, and shall refrain from retaliating against any
person who has exercised his/her civil rights; has participated in any manner with respect
to the above-referenced compliance review; or has participated in any manner in protecting
the civil rights of PCHA's residents.
C. The Department may conduct an on-site review of the PCHA's compliance with the
provisions of this Agreement, and the PCHA will grant the Department's employees access to
its premises, records, and personnel for this purpose.
D. The effective date of this Agreement is the date of the last signature in Section
XV. This Agreement shall remain in effect for the period of five years following the date
of execution, unless the Department (1) determines that this Agreement must be revised,
reduced, or extended based on HUD's review of the PCHA's performance under this Agreement
or as a result of HUD findings made following any HUD public housing management,
occupancy, financial or maintenance reviews or Section 8 management review of PCHA; and
(2) notifies the PCHA to this effect prior to the expiration date. The Department will
monitor the PCHA's implementation of this Agreement. After notification, negotiation, and
consultation with PCHA, the Department may amend the Agreement based on the performance of
the PCHA implementing the Agreement. HUD may extend timeframes in this Agreement prior to
their expiration after consideration of PCHA's good faith efforts to meet the original
timeframe and factors that PCHA asserts, in writing, will prevent it from meeting the
original timeframe.
E. This Agreement does not increase or diminish the ability of any person or class of
persons to exercise their rights under Title VI, Section 504, the Fair Housing Act, the
ADA, or any other federal, state, or local civil rights statute or authority. This
Agreement does not create any private right of action for any person or class of persons
not a party to this Agreement.
F. This Agreement does not affect the ability of the Department to take other action
under appropriate statutory or regulatory authorities.
G. This Agreement is a public agreement. A copy of this Agreement and all reporting
data PCHA generates to comply with this Agreement shall be made available to any person in
accordance with law. PCHA shall provide a copy of this Agreement to any person upon
request. PCHA shall provide a copy of reporting data it generates to comply with this
Agreement to any person upon request in accordance with the State of Florida Freedom of
Information procedures.
H. The PCHA shall submit two copies of all documents, policies, procedures, lists,
plans, reports, and assessments produced under this Agreement to the Department for
written approval: one copy to _________________ Director, Program Operations and
Compliance Center, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, _______________________, ______________________________ or
her successor or designee, and one copy to _____________ Director, Office of Public and
Indian Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, ___________________,
__________________ or her successor or designee.
I. Within 100 days of the effective date of this Agreement the PCHA will employ an
Agreement Administrator who will report directly to the Chair of the PCHA's Board of
Commissioners, or a Commissioner-designee selected by the Board of Commissioners. Within
100 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the Agreement Administrator will
commence his/her responsibilities. The term of the Agreement Administrator will be for the
term of the Agreement.
The Agreement Administrator will coordinate the PCHA's compliance with the requirements
of Title VI, Section 504, the Fair Housing Act, and the ADA, and will be responsible for
(1) implementation of the provisions of this Agreement; (2) serving as the Section 504
Coordinator (see Section IX of this Agreement); (3) serving as a point of contact
for PCHA residents and housing applicants who (a) complain about alleged discriminatory or
different treatment with respect to the PCHA's policies, procedures, practices or services
or the implementation of this Agreement, or (b) claim to have experienced harassment in
the PCHA's low income public housing and Section 8 certificate/voucher programs; (4)
implementing the PCHA's anti-harassment and discrimination policy set forth in Section
III.A and Appendix I of this Agreement; and, (5) coordinating the activities of PCHA
personnel who will provide assistance to the Agreement Administrator in implementing this
Agreement. The PCHA shall assign sufficient staff to report to the Agreement Administrator
so that he/she can successfully accomplish these
objectives. The PCHA shall select the Agreement Administrator using the procedures set
forth below.
Within 15 days of the effective date of this Agreement and before the Agreement
Administrator position is advertised, the PCHA shall provide the position description, job
advertisement, list of publications where the advertisement will be placed, and salary
level (no less than $60,000.00 per year) to HUD for written approval in accordance with
Section II.H of this Agreement. The Agreement Administrator must be knowledgeable about
Title VI, Section 504, the Fair Housing Act, and the ADA. Within 10 days of the
Department's approval of the position description, job advertisement, the list of
publications where the advertisement will be placed, and the salary level, the PCHA shall
advertise the position in national and local publications of general circulation and
circulation within the public housing industry. The job announcement for the Agreement
Administrator shall remain open for applications for a minimum of 30 days. The PCHA must
submit the selection of the Agreement Administrator to the Department, in accordance with
Section II.H of this Agreement, for written approval.
Prior to the Agreement Administrator commencing his/her duties, the PCHA Board of
Commissioners shall select a PCHA staff member to coordinate the PCHA's compliance with
this Agreement and to report to the Board Chair or a Commissioner-designee selected by the
Board of Commissioners concerning the implementation of this Agreement.
III. Policy Against Discrimination
A. The PCHA hereby adopts the policy statement against discrimination and retaliation
found at Appendix I, expressing its condemnation of discrimination, harassment, and
retaliation. The PCHA shall immediately notify its staff by written memorandum, and
'inform all residents and applicants of this policy by postings in PCHA's central office,
site offices, common areas, laundry rooms, and recreation centers and through publication
in the next monthly newsletter of each PCHA public housing development.
B. The Authority will develop procedures it will use to inquire into incidents of
harassment occurring on Authority property, including referral to law enforcement
authorities, which may include the Department, the United States Department of Justice,
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or local law enforcement officials. Within 30 days of
the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall submit its procedures to the
Department, in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement, for written approval.
Within 60 days of the Department's written approval of these policies and procedures,
the Authority will distribute the procedures and the policy statement found at Appendix I
to its employees and residents. PCHA shall notify its residents by distribution at the
time rental payments are made, and hand delivery to any residents who do not sign for a
copy of the procedures and policy statement when paying rent at their respective site
management office. PCHA shall maintain a record showing that each resident has received a
copy of the procedures and policy statement. PCHA shall notify its employees by providing
them a copy of the procedures and policy statement. Each employee shall sign and date a
statement acknowledging that he/she has received, read, and understood the procedures and
policy statement. Signed and dated copies of this statement shall be retained in each
employee's personnel file as evidence of the PCHA's compliance with this section of the
Agreement and of the employee's knowledge of the procedures and policy statement.
IV. Relief for Victims of Racial Harassment by Third Parties
A. Within 10 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall offer each of
the two individuals described on page 4 of the Letter of Findings an opportunity to apply
for a PCHA Section 8 certificate or voucher on a priority basis. The PCHA shall notify
each of the individuals in writing, by hand delivery (for which each individual shall sign
a receipt), that he/she is eligible to receive priority for a Section 8 certificate or
voucher, provided they meet the minimum statutory eligibility criteria for the Section 8
program. The letter will inform the individuals that they have 30 days from their receipt
of the letter to contact the PCHA to apply for their priority Section 8 certificate or
voucher, and that the PCHA will (a) provide for movement of household goods, upon request,
to a dwelling unit of their choice within the PCHA's area of jurisdiction for which they
are eligible that meets Section 8 requirements, (b) refund, for use in making the security
deposit an the new Section 8 unit, the returnable portion of the resident's public housing
security deposit; and (c) provide a payment, for use in making the security deposit on the
new Section 8 unit, the difference between the resident's public housing security deposit
and the security deposit that is charged by the new Section 8 landlord.
The PCHA will follow this letter with a telephone contact by a PCHA Section 8 tenant
lease coordinator who will provide a complete briefing on the Section 8
certificate/voucher program to both individuals. If either or both individuals indicate an
interest, during that meeting or at any other time during the 30-day period referenced
above, in applying for the priority Section 8 certificate or voucher, the tenant lease
coordinator shall assist them in filling out the Section 8 application.
B. The PCHA shall process such application(s) for priority Section 8 assistance on an
expedited basis. The PCHA shall issue the concerned individuals the first available
Section 8 certificate or voucher (whichever they choose) available after the determination
of eligibility of eligibility (see Section V.G.1), and provide them with PCHA's
listings of landlords who will accept Section 8 certificates/vouchers. If the individuals
are issued a certificate/voucher and find a unit of their choice in the PCHA's
jurisdiction which meets Section 8 requirements, the PCHA shall provide in a timely
manner: (i) movement of household goods upon request, to that dwelling unit; (ii) a
refund, for use in making the security deposit on the new Section 8 unit, of the
returnable part portion of the resident's public housing security deposit; and (iii) a
payment, for use in making the security deposit on the new Section 8 unit, of the
difference between the resident's public housing security deposit and the security deposit
that is charged by the new Section 8 landlord to enable these individuals to move into a
new Section 8 dwelling unit of their choice in the PCHA's jurisdiction which meets the
Section 8 requirements.
C. The PCHA shall report monthly to the Department, in accordance with Section II.H and
Section XIII.A of this Agreement, what steps the PCHA has taken to fulfill the
requirements of this Section IV and submit any written documentation of the steps that
pertain thereto, (e.g., including correspondence with the individuals concerned, completed
applications, receipts, etc.) until such time as (1) the concerned individuals have
declined in writing to accept the certificate or voucher in the timeframes provided in
Section IV.A; (2) they have failed to find a unit with their certificate/voucher; or (3)
they have moved into dwelling units utilizing a Section 8 certificate/voucher and PCHA has
provided the assistance set forth in Section IV. A.
V. Tenant Selection and Assistance and Remedial Actions
A. Closing of Waiting Lists
Immediately upon the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA will place a display
advertisement in the ______________________, and ________________ stating that effective
on the date of the advertisement the PCHA has closed the waiting list to applicants for
its low income public housing program. A copy of the advertisement should be posted at all
places where PCHA accepts applications, including the central office and the manager's
office at PCHA's public housing developments. PCHA also shall notify all social service
and welfare agencies, minority and advocacy groups, and public housing authorities in
________________ that PCHA has closed its low income public housing waiting list.
Upon the effective date of this Agreement, the waiting list, for PCHA's Section 8
certificate/voucher program shall remain closed until reopening pursuant to paragraph
V.D.2 or V.E.3, except for the purpose of acceptance of applications from (1) the
individuals identified in Section IV and V.G. of this Agreement, and (2) families eligible
for the HUD/VASH and Family Unification programs.
B. Cessation of Tenanting Activities and Issuance of New Section 8 Certificates and
Vouchers
Immediately upon the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA will cease filling all
vacant public housing units, except for any transfers of PCHA public housing tenants. In
addition, except for (1) the two priority Section 8 certificates or vouchers provided for
in Section IV.A, and (2) certificates or vouchers issued for the HUD/VASH and Family
Unification programs to eligible applicants already on the PCHA Section 8 waiting list,
the PCHA will cease issuing Section a certificates or vouchers. This provision does not
affect the PCHA's administration of portability assistance pursuant to 24 C.F.R. §
982.355.
C. Notice and Comment on the Adoption of Revised Local Preferences
Immediately upon the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA will place a display
advertisement in the __________________ and __________________ and notify all social
service and welfare agencies, and minority and advocacy groups in the area that the PCHA
will be changing its local preferences for both the low income public housing program and
the Section 8 program. The advertisement and notices shall contain all of the information
set forth in Appendix II, and seek written comments from the public within thirty days of
publication of the advertisement setting forth the new proposed local preferences. Within
40 days of the effective date of this Agreement, PCHA shall submit the written comments
and any proposed revisions to the local preferences to HUD for written approval in
accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement. The PCHA shall schedule a special Board of
Commissioners, meeting within 10 days of PCHA's receipt of HUD's approval to adopt the new
local preferences, as amended after the consideration of public comments. These
preferences shall remain in effect for one year from the effective date of this Agreement.
D. Review and Restructuring of Existing Public Housing Applications and the Section
8 Waiting Lists
1. Within 15 days of the effective date of this Agreement, PCHA agrees to commence
cooperating with HUD in restructuring its low income public housing and Section 8
certificate/voucher waiting lists. PCHA will provide HUD access to all applications and
computer and manual lists relating to all waiting lists for both the low income public
housing and Section 8 certificate/voucher programs so that HUD, with assistance from PCHA
staff, can 1) review the existing applications and waiting lists, 2) remove all
applications which reflect a date and time of application when the waiting list was
closed, and 3) prepare the applications for creation of new waiting lists as soon as the
new local preferences are adopted pursuant to Section V.C.
2. Recognizing the interests of both PCHA and HUD minimizing the length of time that
PCHA will be unable to issue Section 8 certificates/vouchers and fill vacant low income
public housing units with new applicants, the PCHA and HUD agree to work together, before
the effective date of the Contract or Interagency Agreement (see Section (V.E.), to
attempt to recommence these activities as soon as possible after the adoption of the new
local preferences set forth in Section V.C.
With respect to PCHA's Section 8 certificate/voucher program, PCHA may opt to submit,
after adoption of the revised local preferences and prior to the commencement of the
Contract or Interagency Agreement (see Section V.E.) a new consolidated Section 8
waiting list reflecting the new local preferences adopted pursuant to Section V.C. to HUD
for approval, in accordance with Section II.H. PCHA may resume issuing new Section 8
certificates and vouchers after it receives HUD's written approval of this new Section 8
waiting list. HUD shall monitor the issuance of Section 8 certificates and vouchers until
HUD turns over its materials to the Contractor or Agency pursuant to paragraph V.E.2.
After consultation with PCHA, HUD shall determine and inform PCHA at the time of its
approval of the waiting lists, the procedure(s) HUD will utilize to monitor the issuance
of new Section 8 certificates and vouchers during this time period.
With respect to PCHA's low income public housing program, PCHA may opt to submit, after
adoption of the revised local preferences and prior to the commencement of the Contract or
Interagency Agreement (see Section V.E.), (a) a new consolidated low income public housing
waiting list reflecting the new local preferences adopted pursuant to Section V.C. to HUD
for approval, in accordance with Section II.H, (b) a revised Tenant Selection and
Assignment Plan (TSAP), and (c) procedures for operating a "one-offer system"
and handling interdevelopment transfers.
Within 10 days of PCHA's receipt of HUD's written approval of the TSAP, the PCHA Board
of Commissioners shall adopt the TSAP. After adoption of the TSAP and PCHA's receipt of
HUD approval of the revised waiting list for the low income public housing program and the
procedures for operating the "one-offer system" and handling interdevelopment
transfers, the PCHA can begin to fill vacant units in its public housing developments with
new applicants from the waiting list. HUD shall monitor these activities until HUD turns
over its materials to the Contractor or Agency pursuant to paragraph V.E.2. After
consultation with PCHA, HUD shall determine and inform PCHA at the time of its approval of
the waiting lists, if not sooner, how HUD will monitor these occupancy functions during
this time period.
3. The PCHA shall utilize the "one-offer system" provided for in the TSAP
adopted pursuant to either paragraph V.D.2 or .V.F.2 for the duration of this Agreement.
The procedures for operating the "one-offer system" and handling
interdevelopment transfers developed pursuant to paragraph V.D.2 may be amended with HUD
approval, in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement.
E. Contract or Interagency Agreement
1. Within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA will enter into a
contract with a nationally-recognized firm ("Contractor") with extensive
experience in public housing and Section 8 occupancy issues, or an Interagency Agreement
with a high-performing Housing Authority ("Agency"), to obtain technical
assistance concerning the administration of the PCHA's occupancy function for both the low
income public housing and Section 8 programs for a period not to exceed two years. The
Contractor or Agency's tasks, set forth in the Statement of Work at Appendix III, will
include reform of the tenant selection and assignment policies for PCHA's public housing
and its tenant selection and admissions policies for its Section 8 programs. The statement
of work may be amended, at HUD request and with HUD written approval, to address the
findings, if any, made following any HUD public housing management, occupancy, financial
or maintenance reviews or Section 8 management review of PCHA.
Pursuant to the Contract or Interagency Agreement, the Contractor or Agency will direct
the administration of the PCHA's occupancy function for at least six months or until such
time as the PCHA's records and various waiting lists for low income public housing
("LIPH" or "public housing") and Section 8 are administered in
accordance with this Agreement. The Contractor or Agency will report to the Chair of the
PCHA Board of Commissioners or a Commissioner-designee appointed by the Board of
Commissioners. The Contract or Interagency Agreement will be renewable for an additional
year if HUD determines that PCHA requires additional assistance in administering its
application taking and tenant selection and admission process in compliance with Title VI,
the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, the ADA, and public housing and Section 8 program
regulations.
2. The Department shall review and approve the PCHA's request for procurement, have a
representative sit on the review panel, and approve the Board of Commissioners' selection
of a Contractor or Agency. After the PCHA's receipt of notification that the Department
has approved the Contract or the Interagency Agreement that the PCHA and the Contractor or
Agency have executed, the PCHA shall immediately give the Contractor or Agency complete
and total access to its computerized and hard copy records pertaining to applicants for
the PCHA's public housing and Section 8 program , including the work done in accordance
with Section V.D of this Agreement. HUD shall make staff available to answer any questions
that the Contractor or Agency has concerning HUD's efforts pursuant to Section V.D.
3. Within 30 days of the execution of the Contract or Interagency Agreement, the Chair
of the Board, _______________, will submit a revised and consolidated waiting list for
PCHA's low income public housing program, a low income public housing transfer priority
list, and a revised and consolidated program waiting list for PCHA's Section 8
certificate/voucher program to HUD for approval in accordance with Section II.H. These
lists shall reflect the local preferences adopted pursuant to Section V.C and include the
names of all persons who have selected and qualify for housing options in accordance with
Section V.G of this Agreement. Immediately upon PCHA's receipt of HUD's approval of these
lists, the PCHA shall utilize these lists for purposes of filling vacant units in its
public housing developments and issuing Section 8 certificates and vouchers.
F. Policies
1. Unless previously submitted pursuant to paragraph V.D.2, the PCHA Board of
_________________ shall submit, within 45 days of the effective date of the Contract or
Interagency Agreement, a revised Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy
("ACOP") and a Tenant Selection and Assignment Plan ("TSAP") to HUD
for written approval in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement. The ACOP and TSAP
shall provide for a "one-offer system" for the duration of this Agreement, and
shall provide for interdevelopment transfers. Within 10 days of PCHA's receipt of HUD's
written approval of the ACOP and TSAP, the PCHA Board ________________ shall adopt the
ACOP and TSAP.
2. Within 45 days of the effective date of the Contract or Interagency Agreement, the
PCHA Board shall adopt a revised Administrative Plan for the Section 8 Program. The
Administrative Plan will require the PCHA to maintain one, consolidated Section 8 waiting
list. The PCHA shall submit its new Administrative Plan to the Department for written
approval in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement.
G. Desegregative LIPH Housing Transfers and Section 8 Waiting List Placements
1. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall develop for
distribution to all African American residents at _______________ a letter informing them
that, as a result of the Summer 199_ compliance review conducted by HUD's Office of Fair
Housing and Equal Opportunity, they are being offered the following housing options: (1)
if they are non-elderly families, a transfer to ________________ or an opportunity
to apply for placement on the Section 8 waiting list, or (2) if they are elderly or
disabled, a transfer to ________________ or ________________ or an opportunity to
apply for placement on the Section 8 waiting list.
The resident's selection of either a transfer or a placement on the Section 8 waiting
list, pursuant to this Section V.G, shall not prohibit a resident from later applying for
a transfer to another public housing development or applying for the Section 8 waiting
list. This desegregative transfer and Section 8 application process does not permit
ineligible persons to receive housing through either PCHA's Section 8 or public housing
programs. To qualify for placement on the Section 8 waiting list, residents are subject to
the low income limit, rather than the very low income limit. Residents transferring to
another LIPH development are considered to be continuously assisted and not subject to the
income limits. If a resident selects an option for which it is later determined that they
are not eligible, the resident will have an opportunity to pursue the other option.
The letter shall also state that the PCHA will provide:
(A) to residents in good standing (who are not subject to lease termination pursuant to
24 C.F.R. § 966.4 (1) (2)) who request and accept a transfer to another PCHA public
housing development, (i) movement of household goods, upon request, to another PCHA public
housing development, and (ii) transfer of the resident's security deposit to the new
dwelling unit; and
(B) for residents who opt to apply for Section 8, are issued a certificate or voucher,
and find a unit of their choice within the PCHA's area of jurisdiction that meets Section
8 requirements, (i) movement of household goods, upon request, to that dwelling unit; (ii)
a refund, for use in making the security deposit on the new Section 8 unit, of the
returnable portion of the resident's public housing security deposit; and (iii) a payment,
for use in making the security deposit on that unit, of the difference between the
resident's public housing security deposit and the security deposit that is charged by the
new Section 8 landlord.
2. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall develop
for distribution to all residents of ____________ and to all residents of
________________ who did not receive the letter provided for in paragraph V.G.1, a letter
informing them that they are being offered an opportunity to apply for placement on the
Section 8 waiting list. This Section 8 application process does not permit ineligible
persons to receive a certificate or voucher. To qualify for placement on the Section 8
waiting list, residents will be subject to the low income limit rather than the very low
income limit. The letter shall state that the PCHA will provide residents who opt to apply
for Section 8 under this option, are issued a certificate or voucher, and find a unit of
their choice within the PCHA's area of jurisdiction that meets Section 8 requirements: (i)
movement of household goods, upon request, to that dwelling unit, (ii) a refund, for use
in making the security deposition the new Section 8 unit, of the returnable portion of the
resident's public housing security deposit; and (iii) a payment, for use in making the
security deposit on that unit, of the difference between the resident's public housing
security deposit and the security deposit that is charged by the new Section 8 landlord.
3. The letters described in paragraphs V.G.1 and V.G.2 shall include a form which
residents may return to the PCHA if they want a transfer to another LIPH development
(African American residents of _____________) or to apply for assistance through the
Section 8 program (all residents of _____________ and __________________ ). The form shall
elicit information relevant to determining what size unit is appropriate for the resident,
the resident's preference to transfer to either another PCHA public housing development
(African American residents of ______________) or to receive a placement on the PCHA's
Section 8 waiting list (all residents of __________________ and ______________), and
whether the resident needs an accessible unit. The letter shall state that residents must
return the form to the PCHA central office or site management offices within 30 days of
the date of the letter. The letter shall also inform residents that their placement on the
waiting list (LIPH or Section 8) will be based on their original PCHA lease effective
date. See paragraph V.G.6. The letters will contain the names and telephone numbers
of PCHA staff who can answer questions, and encourage residents to contact these PCHA
staff members to ask questions about the process.
4. The PCHA shall submit the letters and forms described in paragraphs V.G.1-3 to the
Department for written approval in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement. Within
10 days of PCHA's receipt of the Department's written approval, the PCHA shall distribute
the letter and form to the residents at the time rent payments are made, or by hand
delivery to any residents who do not sign for a copy of the letter and form when paying
rent at their respective site management office. PCHA shall maintain a record showing that
each resident has received a copy of the letter and form. If a person with a disability
requests a different form of communication as a reasonable accommodation, the PCHA shall
provide an alternate, effective form of communication.
5. In addition to the letter and form described in paragraphs V.G.1-3, the PCHA shall
hold four meetings within 20 days of PCHA's receipt of the Department's written approval
of the letter and form: two at ________________ and two at ________________ (one during
the day, one during the evening at each site) to explain the process.
6. The PCHA shall collect these forms from residents for a period of 35 days following
the date the letter and form is distributed to residents. Forms shall be accepted at the
central office and the, on-site management offices. All forms received shall be
machine-stamped with date and time of receipt by the PCHA Office receiving the form. Each
resident's placement on the low income public housing transfer list or the Section 8
waiting list will be determined by the resident's original PCHA lease effective date.
7. The PCHA shall use the forms to (a) place residents who select the public housing
transfer option on the public housing transfer list based on the resident's original PCHA
lease effective date, and (b) place residents who select the Section 8 option for
placement on the new Section 8 waiting list pursuant to this Agreement.
8. To assist these residents in paying their security deposits and either transferring
to other PCHA public housing developments or moving to units where the resident has
executed a Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments contract within the PCHA area of
jurisdiction, the PCHA shall provide, on a timely basis, for: movement of household goods,
upon request, and release of security deposits and payment of additional security deposit
costs as set forth in paragraph V.G.2. The PCHA shall maintain records of all materials
pertaining to these transfers and Section 8 waiting list placements, including
documentation of assistance with respect to moving to new units and the transfer/payment
of security deposits. The PCHA shall submit on the last day of each month, documentation
of this assistance and reports on the implementation of Paragraph V.G to the Department in
accordance with Section II.H and paragraph XIII.A.1 of this Agreement.
9. No family currently residing in PCHA public housing developments will be
involuntarily moved to comply with this section of this Agreement. The PCHA's efforts
under this section shall take place as units become vacant and new leases for those units
are executed and/or as families move to units where they receive assistance through the
Section 8 certificate/voucher programs.
VI. Maintenance Policies and Charges
A. Within 10 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall notify all
its public housing residents that as of the first day of the second month following the
month this Agreement becomes effective (e.g., as of February 1st if the Agreement became
effective on December 29th) they will no longer be required to pay for or provide their
own lawn care services (i.e., mowing). The PCHA will immediately assume, at its own
expense, all lawn care responsibilities at all PCHA public housing sites. This provision
does not affect the ability of tenants at _______________ to voluntarily maintain their
respective yard areas. Additionally, within 10 days of the effective date of this
Agreement, PCHA shall notify all residents on appropriate methods for storing lawn
maintenance equipment outside their units.
PCHA will notify public housing residents of this lawn care service policy and the
appropriate methods for storing lawn maintenance equipment as follows: postings at each
site office, common area, laundry room and recreation center; publication in the next
monthly newsletter for each development.
B. Within 30 days of the effective date of the Contract or interagency Agreement, the
PCHA shall submit to HUD for approval, in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement,
policies that establish: (1) one schedule of charges (for labor and materials) that apply
to all PCHA public housing properties for repairs and unscheduled trash and garbage
pick-up; (2) a written preventive maintenance inspection and repair/replacement program
for all PCHA public housing properties; and (3) uniform rules and regulations for all PCHA
public housing properties, including fines for violations of such rules and regulations.
Those rules and regulations will clearly state what repair or maintenance work tenants can
perform on their own units, and clearly explain what free preventive maintenance
inspection and repair/replacement services the PCHA will provide. If tenants are allowed
to perform maintenance but are not permitted to supply their own materials, then the rules
and regulations shall clearly specify the procedure whereby tenants can obtain the
requisite materials from the appropriate PCHA employee.
C. Within 15 days of the PCHA's receipt of HUD's written approval of the policies,
rules and procedures described in Section VI.C, the PCHA's Board ________________ shall
adopt those policies, rules, and procedures. Within 15 days of their adoption, the
Executive Director or his designee shall hold a meeting with all PCHA public housing site
managers, maintenance staff, and other PCHA staff involved in implementation of the
policies, rules, and procedures set forth in Section VI.B to train them with respect to
these new policies, rules and procedures. Upon the conclusion of this training, employees
who attend the training will sign a certification that they attended the training, specify
the policies upon which they received training, and state that they understand those
specific policies. Any employees not trained at this meeting shall receive training as
soon as possible, and then sign certifications as described earlier in this paragraph.
Copies of the certifications shall be sent to the Department, in accordance with Section
II.H of this Agreement, within 10 days of their signature. The PCHA shall retain the
originals in each employee's personnel file.
D. Within 15 days of the adoption of these new policies, rules, and procedures, PCHA
shall notify all public housing residents of these new policies, rules and procedures by
distribution at the time of rent payment and hand delivery to those who did not sign for
receipt of the notice at that time, by posting on the on-site bulletin boards, and through
publication in each development's next monthly newsletter. Within 45 days of the adoption
of these new policies, rules, and procedures, the PCHA shall hold a meeting at each public
housing site to explain the new policies, rules and procedures to residents.
VII. Meeting Space for _______________ Tenant Organization
Within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall provide adequate
meeting space (at either the ________ model unit, Girls' Club, or at the
___________________ to the _______________________-
tenant organization to use for meetings and social events. The PCHA shall promptly
notify ______________ residents of the availability of this space by publication of a
notice in the next monthly ______________ newsletter.
VIII. Outreach
A. The PCHA shall take affirmative steps to conduct outreach, and to contact community,
minority, and disability organizations so that persons are aware and can take advantage of
the PCHA's public housing developments and Section 8 program. HUD will provide the PCHA
with a list of community, minority, and disability organizations that PCHA will include in
its outreach efforts. Within 45 days of the appointment of the Agreement Administrator,
the PCHA shall submit to HUD for written approval, in accordance with Section II.H of this
Agreement, a plan detailing the proposed PCHA outreach efforts during the term of this
Agreement. The plan is to include: 1) a schedule of outreach events to minority,
disability, and community organizations; 2) a timetable for developing a brochure listing
the names and addresses of all the PCHA's developments, amenities available at each
development and other important information about the area, i.e., schools and child care
centers, transportation, stores, churches, and medical facilities; 3) locations where the
brochure will be distributed; 4) a proposed schedule of public information sessions on the
Section 8 program; 5) a schedule of outreach activities and events to attract landlords to
the Section 8 program; and 6) a timetable for developing a positive public relations
campaign about the services and housing provided by the PCHA. PCHA shall implement this
plan immediately after receipt of the Department's written approval, and report on its
performance of the outreach plan in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement.
B. PCHA must conduct semiannual outreach sessions at each of its public housing
developments to explain to residents of these developments and the surrounding
neighborhoods the PCHA's Section 8 program and explain how to apply for the program. The
PCHA will notify all residents and the tenant organizations at least ten days in advance
of the meetings, through publication in each development's monthly newsletter and postings
at each site office, common area, laundry room and recreation center.
C. PCHA's outreach efforts described in this Section shall continue throughout the
five-year term of this Agreement.
IX. Disability Issues - Section 504 and ADA Compliance
A. The PCHA hereby adopts the policy statement at Appendix IV with respect to
reasonable accommodations and discrimination on the basis of disability. The PCHA shall
immediately notify its staff by written memorandum, and inform all residents and
applicants of this policy by postings in PCHA's central office, site offices, common
areas, laundry rooms, and recreation centers and through publication in the next monthly
newsletter of each PCHA public housing development.
Within 60 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA will distribute the
procedures and the policy statement found at Appendix IV to its employees and residents.
PCHA shall notify its residents by distribution at the time rental payments are made, and
hand delivery to any residents who do not sign for a copy of the procedures and policy
statement when paying rent at their respective site management office. PCHA shall maintain
a record showing that each resident has received a copy of the procedures and policy
statement. PCHA shall notify its employees by providing them a copy of the procedures and
policy statement. Each employee shall sign and date a statement acknowledging that he/she
has received, read, and understood the procedures and policy statement. Signed and dated
copies of this statement shall be retained in each employee's personnel file as evidence
of the PCHA's compliance with this section of the Agreement and of the employee's
knowledge of the procedures and policy statement.
B. The PCHA shall make every effort to ensure that all communications with applicants
or residents will be in a format or method appropriate to meet the communication skills of
the individual requesting an accommodation. Any meetings will be held in a location
physically accessible to the person seeking an accommodation. To fulfill its statutory
obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation, the PCHA agrees to adopt the procedures
set forth in Appendix V.
C. The PCHA agrees to refund or reimburse current residents for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses that these residents have been charged or paid for reasonable
accommodations, such as ramps and grab bars, since January 1, 198_. Within 60 days of the
effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA and the Department (or its designee), shall
review the PCHA's records and prepare a list of claimants, including a description of the
reasonable accommodation made and the out-of-pocket expenses to be refunded or reimbursed.
This compensation list shall be submitted to the Department in accordance with Section
II.H of this Agreement, for its review and written approval. Within 30 days of PCHA's
receipt of the Department's written approval of the compensation list, the PCHA shall
refund or reimburse the claimants for the expenses set forth in the approved compensation
list.
D. Within 45 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall do the
following with respect to _______________: (1) submit to Department change orders to make
a two bedroom apartment accessible instead of a one bedroom apartment (this shall result
in __________________ having 14 accessible one bedroom units and one (1) accessible two
bedroom unit), and the sidewalks accessible; and (2) install one front loading washing
machine in the existing and all proposed satellite laundry facilities. Copies of these
change orders shall be submitted to the Department, in accordance with Section II.H of
this Agreement.
E. In his/her role as the Section 504/ADA Coordinator, the Agreement Administrator will
address all issues relating to the accessibility of the PCHA's housing and non-housing
facilities and the provision of reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities.
F. Within 30 days of the appointment of the Agreement Administrator, the PCHA with the
assistance of the Department or its designee, shall survey all PCHA public housing
residents to determine if any resident needs an accessible dwelling unit or needs
accessible features added to their current unit. Within 20 days of the completion of the
survey, the PCHA shall develop a plan with timetables for completing all of the requests
for reasonable accommodation identified during the survey, and submit both the survey and
this plan to the Department for written approval in accordance with Section II.H.
G. The PCHA will use the reasonable accommodation policy adopted in accordance with
Section IX.A. to respond to the requests for reasonable accommodation. If the PCHA denies
any requests for reasonable accommodation, it will clearly document the reasons for the
denial, any alternative accommodation offered, and the resident's response to any such
alternative offer(s).
H. Within 30 days of the appointment of the Agreement Administrator, the PCHA, with the
assistance of the Department or its designee, shall conduct an accessibility survey of all
the housing stock, including public and common use areas, that the PCHA owns, controls, or
manages including ________________ and _________________. The survey shall identify each
dwelling unit that is fully or partially accessible, and barriers to accessibility in the
public and common use areas, and PCHA's compliance with the requirements of 24 C.F.R. Part
8. The completed survey shall be submitted for HUD's written approval in accordance with
Section II.H of this Agreement. Within 30 days of HUD's approval, PCHA shall submit a
report to the Department, in accordance with Section II.H. of this Agreement, stating how
PCHA will address HUD's findings and come into compliance with 24 C.F.R. Part 8, including
work to be completed, funding sources, number and location of units to be made accessible,
and time frames for completion of this work. Until this work is completed and approved in
accordance with Section II.H, HUD shall withhold PCHA's 199_ Comprehensive Grant Funds,
unless otherwise agreed to by HUD. Upon HUD's written approval of this report, the
report's action plan shall become a part of this Agreement for purposes of monitoring and
PCHA reporting. PCHA failure to take the actions set forth in the HUD-approved report will
constitute noncompliance with this Agreement.
I. Within 90 days of the appointment of the Agreement Administrator, the PCHA shall
conduct an evaluation of its policies (including a policy on reasonable accommodations),
procedures, practices, and forms to determine whether they discriminate against persons
with disabilities, and make any required revisions. The PCHA must seek written approval
from HUD, in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement, of all changes to policies,
procedures, practices and application/tenant forms before implementing or utilizing those
revised policies, procedures, practices or forms.
J. Within 60 days of the appointment of the Agreement Administrator, the PCHA shall
submit to HUD for written approval, in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement, a
lease addendum which advises new residents who are housed in accessible units and who do
not need the accessible features that they may be required to transfer to a different
dwelling unit should a person with disabilities need the accessible features of the unit.
Within 15 days of the PCHA's receipt of HUD's written approval of the lease addendum,
the PCHA shall use the procedures set forth in 24 C.F.R. § 966.6 to provide tenants and
resident organizations 30 days notice of the lease addendum and an opportunity to present
written comments. The PCHA shall consider all comments received in this 30-day comment
period before adoption of the lease addendum. If the PCHA determines within 15 days after
the expiration of the 30-day comment period that no change in the lease addendum is
warranted, then the PCHA shall adopt the lease addendum at the next regularly scheduled
PCHA Board ______________ meeting. However, if the PCHA determines that the comments
received warrant amendment of the lease addendum, no later than 15 days after the
expiration of the 30-day comment period, the PCHA shall submit copies of the written
comments and an amended lease addendum to HUD for written approval, in accordance with
Section II.H of this Agreement. The PCHA shall adopt the amended lease addendum at the
next regularly scheduled PCHA Board ____________________ meeting following PCHA's receipt
of HUD's approval.
X. Complaint or Grievance Procedure
Within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement and after consultation with HUD,
PCHA shall submit to HUD for approval, in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement,
a revised internal grievance procedure for the prompt and equitable resolution of
grievances and complaints. The revised procedure shall provide for reasonable
accommodations for persons with disabilities. The adoption of this grievance procedure
shall not prevent residents from filing discrimination complaints with the Department or
any other civil rights agency.
Within 10 days of PCHA's receipt of HUD's written approval of the revised grievance
procedure, PCHA shall notify public housing residents and resident organizations of the
proposed changes to PCHA's existing grievance procedure and provide 30 days for their
review and submission of written comments. These comments shall be considered by the PCHA
before Board approval and adoption of the revised internal grievance procedure.
Upon adoption of the revised internal grievance procedure, the PCHA shall immediately
notify its staff of the revised policy by written memorandum, and inform all residents and
applicants of the revised procedure by postings in PCHA's central office and site offices,
and through publication in the next monthly newsletter of each PCHA public housing
development. Each employee shall sign and date a statement acknowledging that he/she has
received, read, and understood the revised procedures. Signed and dated copies of this
statement shall be retained in each employee's personnel file as evidence of the PCHA's
compliance with this section of the Agreement and of the employee's knowledge of the
procedures. Additionally, within 30 days of the adoption of the revised internal grievance
procedure, the PCHA shall notify its residents of the revised procedures by distribution
of the policy at the time rental payments are made, and hand delivery to any residents who
do not sign for a copy of the revised procedure when paying rent at their respective site
management office. PCHA shall maintain a record showing that each resident has received
copy of the revised procedures.
XI. Resident and Community Notification
A. Time periods and methods for distribution of all revised policies and procedures to
employees and public housing residents are set forth in Sections III, VI, VII, IX, and X.
PCHA shall provide a different form of notification if a person with a disability requests
a different form of communication as a reasonable accommodation.
B. Within 45 days of the Department's written approval of all of the following policies
and procedures: (a) its policies against discrimination, (b) its new tenant selection and
assignment policies as set forth in the revised ACOP, TSAP, and Section 8 Administrative
Plan, and (c) procedures far handling discrimination complaints; the PCHA will advertise
in the _____________________ and __________________, and any other media outlets that may
reach large segments of the African-American and disabled population of ______________ and
surrounding _____________ to advise the public of these new policies and procedures. To
fulfill its responsibilities under this provision, the PCHA may utilize radio and TV
public service announcements, and notifications in church and community bulletins and
newsletters. The notifications and list of media outlets to be utilized must be submitted
to the Department for written approval in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement
prior to publication.
C. Within 15 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA will display Fair
Housing posters to be provided by HUD in prominent locations in the PCHA's central office
lobby, and at PCHA public housing developments in their community centers, on-site
management offices, laundry facilities, and other common areas.
D. Within 45 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall advertise in
newspapers in ____________ such as the ____________________ and __________________ and in
any other media outlets that may reach large segments of the _______________
African-American and disabled population in _______________and surrounding counties that
the PCHA will maintain a list of local civil rights organizations interested in the
operations of the PCHA, and that interested groups should notify the PCHA Executive
Director in writing if they wish to receive notice of its actions, activities, and PCHA
Board _______________ meetings. The PCHA shall provide notice of its regular Board
_____________ meetings to any group that responds in writing to that advertisement in
accordance with the Sunshine laws in the state of ______________. The notifications and
list of media outlets to be utilized must be submitted to the Department for written
approval in accordance with Section II.H of this Agreement prior to publication.
E. Within 60 days of the. effective date of the Contract or Interagency Agreement,
Section 8 certificate/voucher participants living at _________________ and
_________________ are to be notified by letter, approved by the Department in accordance
with Section II.H of this Agreement of the rules governing their tenant-based Section 8
assistance, including their right to move with continued assistance, applicable Fair
Market Rents/payment standards, and utility allowances. These notification letters will
provide the names and telephone numbers of PCHA staff that the participant can call to ask
questions about the Section 8 certificate/voucher programs.
These letters shall also invite those Section 8 program participants to attend briefing
sessions at _____________ and ______________ on all aspects of the tenant-based
certificate and voucher programs (see 24 C.F.R. Part 982). See Section VI.G.
F. Within 90 days of the effective date of the Contract or. Interagency Agreement, PCHA
and HUD staff shall hold four briefings for Section 8 program participants (two at
_____________and two at _________________ to review key aspects of the Section 8 program.
XII. Education and Training
A. Within 120 days of the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA and HUD (or its
designee) will provide a joint educational program for all employees and the Board of
Commissioners on all matters relating to their responsibilities under Title VI, the Fair
Housing Act, Section 504, the ADA, and the provisions of this Agreement. Each employee
shall sign and date a statement acknowledging that (s)he has attended this education
program. Signed and dated copies of this statement shall be retained in each employee's
personnel file as evidence of the PCHA's compliance with this provision and of the
employee's knowledge of the terms of this Agreement.
B. Each PCHA employee with responsibilities in an area addressed in this Agreement who
is hired after the completion of the educational program, referenced in Section XII.A will
be provided within 15 days of the date he/she commences employment with (a) a copy of this
Agreement and (b) training on his/her responsibilities under this Agreement and applicable
civil rights authorities. A signed and dated receipt acknowledging the new employee's
receipt of a copy of the Agreement and training on his/her responsibilities under the
Agreement and applicable civil rights authorities shall be retained in each new employee's
personnel file as evidence of the PCHA's compliance with this provision and of the
employee's knowledge of the terms of this Agreement.
XIII. Reporting Requirements and Recordkeeping
A. Reporting
1. The PCHA Board Chair or a ________________ designee selected by the Board
________________ shall report timely on the progress of the implementation of each section
of this Agreement as required. The reporting shall continue until each section of the
Agreement is completed.
2. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Agreement, and every calendar quarter
thereafter (i.e., March 31, June 30, September 30, and December. 31), the PCHA shall
provide the Department, in accordance with Section II.H. of this Agreement, a report on
the status of each section of this Agreement, including an accounting of all funds
disbursed under Sections IV, V and IX.
3. During the upgrading, if any, of the PCHA's computerized recordkeeping and reporting
systems, the Department, the Contractor or Agency, and the PCHA will work together to
develop systems to supply computerized reports that will satisfy the Department's need for
appropriate electronic reporting information, including reports under this. Agreement.
This Agreement will be modified to reflect any advancements in the PCHA's recordkeeping or
reporting abilities.
B. Recordkeeping
1. For a period of five years from the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall
maintain records, including those
required under HUD program regulations, which disclose all individuals who apply for
public housing or Section 8 assistance and the manner in which each applicant is treated,
i.e., whether said individuals are accepted or rejected and the basis for any rejection.
2. For a period of five years from the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall
maintain all the PCHA public housing resident files, including applications for residency,
rental agreements or leases, notices and letters to residents, billings, and notices of
termination, along with any and all material relating to the PCHA's desegregation efforts
and the racial composition of its project sites, such as waiting lists, records of the
racial occupancy of units, records of units offered, and copies of denied applications.
3. For a period of five years from the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall
maintain files on all applicants for its Section 8 program, including applications for the
Section 8 program; worksheets used to determine program eligibility; correspondence,
notices and letters to applicants concerning their application for, eligibility for, and
the issuance of a Section 8 certificate/voucher; and the success (measured by the number
of families issued certificates/vouchers for whom a Housing Assistance Payments contract
is executed) of families in finding housing. The PCHA shall also maintain all of its
Section 8 waiting lists for a period of five years from the effective date of this
Agreement.
4. For a period of five years from the effective date of this Agreement, the PCHA shall
maintain files containing documentation of its outreach efforts conducted pursuant to
Section VIII of this Agreement.
XIV. Effect of Noncompliance With This Agreement
The parties intend to resolve their disputes with respect to noncompliance with this
Agreement in a timely and efficient manner. The Department may take any of the following
actions for noncompliance.
A. Any act(s) or omission(s) of a PCHA employee that violates the terms of this
Agreement may serve as grounds HUD imposing debarment, See 24 C.F.R. § 24.300;
suspension, see 24 C.F.R. § 24.400; or limited denial of participation, see
24 C.F.R. § 24.705.
B. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this Agreement may serve as
grounds for HUD declaring a breach of the annual contributions contract (ACC) with respect
to some or all of PCHA's functions.
C. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this Agreement may serve as
grounds for HUD withholding some or all of PCHA's grant. See 24 C.F.R. § 968.335.
D. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this Agreement may serve as
grounds for HUD referring the matter to binding arbitration pursuant to the rules and
procedures of the American Arbitration Association and judgment on the award rendered by
the arbitrator may be entered in federal court. The arbitrator shall award to the
prevailing party, if any, as determined by the arbitrator, all of its costs and fees.
"Costs and fees", mean all reasonable pre-award expenses of arbitration,
including the arbitrator's fees, administrative fees, travel expenses, out-of-pocket
expenses such as copying and telephone charges, court costs, and witness fees.
E. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this Agreement may serve as
grounds for the United States to seek specific performance of any or all of the provisions
of this agreement in federal court.
F. An act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this Agreement may serve as
grounds for the Department to conduct a compliance review under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
G. Any act(s) or omission(s) that violates the terms of this Agreement may serve as
grounds for the United States to pursue an action in federal court for failure to comply
with civil rights authorities.
H. The acts set forth in this Section are not mutually exclusive and the Department has
the right to pursue any or all of these remedies or any other remedies available under
law.
I. Nothing contained herein prevents or restrains the PCHA from challenging any actions
taken or threatened to be taken by HUD pursuant to this agreement or otherwise.
XIV. Signatures
For the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Fair
Housing and Equal Opportunity.
_________________________.
For the P_____________ C ________________ H ______ A ______________.
________________________
NOTES
1. This is the information given to new recipients of vouchers and
certificates. However, pursuant to a 1992 cooperation agreement with the Housing Authority
of ______________, PCHA is authorized to administer its Section 8 Program "within
that portion of the corporate limits of the City of __________ located north of _______
Avenue. North from _____ Street, west to _____ and that portion located west of 49th
Street from 38th Avenue _________ to the north city limits of the City ___________
2. PCHA is currently substantially renovating ___________ and is not
housing new residents during the renovations.
3. During the Department's on-site visit, PCHA could not produce a
waiting list of applicants. When asked for the waiting list the Department was directed to
the file drawer of applications. The file drawers contained applications filed by bedroom
size, but not in any determinable order.
4. Demographic references to "low income elderly", are to
households with a person 55 years of ace or older with an annual income below $15,000.
According to MTCS data, 100% of PCHA households in ___________ and 95% of households in
_______________ incomes of less than $15,000.
5. This is a dual application for both Section 8 assistance and
admission to ____________________. The site manager reported in August 199_ that
______________________ has a total of 473 units used for housing, of which 456 are
occupied by persons receiving Section 8 assistance.
6. At that time, PCHA had three other Section 8 waiting lists:
Section 8 Vouchers, Section 8 Certificates and Section 8 Existing.
7. Contrary to the Family Outreach section of its Administrative
Plan (page 1-3 of 5).
8. The AI identifies racial segregation as a fair housing problem,
including "racial segregation within local public housing authority developments as
well as the location of some of these developments in low- and moderate-income
communities, creating concentration of lower-income households." (AI at page 21.)
9. In standard tenant assignment practice, such an applicant would
be one who was at the top of the waiting list. However, prior to HUD's occupancy review
conducted in July 199_, PCHA was not maintaining a waiting list. Instead, the PCHA Tenant
Lease Coordinator worked from file drawers that contained application forms filed by
bedroom size and year submitted. A review of the files showed that they were not in any
determinable order.
10. PCHA Local Preference No. 6 requires the Executive Director to
approve such transfers.
11. See. 24 C.F.R. § 982.205(c)(1).
12. This same charge is levied at PCHA's elderly public housing
sites.
13. Units at ________________ were recently rehabilitated
(remodeled) using Comprehensive Grant Program (CGP) funds. The work completed included
installation of central air conditioning, new kitchen cabinets, new stoves and new
refrigerators, as well as repainting. Tenants were moved out of units while this work was
done. Since 5% of ________________ units are not fully accessible, pursuant to 24 C.F.R.
§ 8.23(b)(1), the newly installed kitchen canines would all have to meet UFAS standards.
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