**[Resident Involvement/Self Sufficiency Notes]{.underline}**

**Public Housing Administrative Reform Initiative**

**Conference Call**

**August 1, 2007**

**[Attendees]{.underline}** -- Co-chairs: Joy Johnson, Mae Bradley; HUD:
Ron Ashford, Lorraine Wells, Margaret Skiffer; Group: Joe Feuerherd, Sam
Finklestein, Victor Bach

I.  **[Welcome & Approval Minutes]{.underline}**

 

-   Reminder - conference call notes are listed on "our" website

-   9/27 Presentation -- "one piece" created to date.

-   Please remember to research the HUD website for educational
    information etc..to enhance call discussions and send out to each
    other, as has been our protocol before the calls. 

-   Discussion documents will be sent out and eventually posted on the
    web.

I.  **[Recap 7/24 Meeting]{.underline}**

II. **[Guiding Principles]{.underline}**

**[GUIDING PRINCIPLES]{.underline}**: Overview by Victor Bach, Senior
Housing Policy Analyst, Community Service Society (212) 614-5492

1.  [Promote Effective Resident Participation]{.underline}

> We affirm that resident participation is a critical component of
> public housing (and other federal housing) programs. Effective
> resident participation contributes to higher housing quality, better
> management, lower costs, healthier communities, and better
> decision-making.

1.  [Preserve and Strengthen Resident Rights Provided Under the 964
    Regulations]{.underline}

> Nothing recommended by this group is intended, or should be used by
> HUD, to abridge any resident rights or prerogatives provided under the
> 964 regulations. This group seeks to sustain and strengthen resident
> rights and prerogatives provided under the existing regulations.

2.  [Freeze Any Further HUD Waivers of 964 Regulations]{.underline}

> Until the work of this group is completed under this HUD
> administrative reform process, HUD should refrain from any further
> waivers of the 964 regulations (for example, under the March 1^st^
> notice concerning regulatory waivers under the transition to asset
> management.)

*Spirited Discussion*

-   If recommended -- what exactly does that mean? HUD may consider and
    any action item(s) will be presented to the proper entity for review
    etc.  -- As response will be attempted by 8/15/07.

-   Unknown if members respective "clients/constituents" will have issue
    with some of the principles as currently composed. Understanding --
    no need for consensus -- this is a process and our role is to
    collect thoughts and present.  Perhaps, we could add who supports /
    dissents "artfully" with reasons.  8/15 meeting -- feedback after
    conferring with constituents.

-   Alternative, perhaps it could be presented as a recommendation by a
    member of the group and documented as part of recommendation from
    group as opposed to "all".  Overall, they should be documented in
    the report -- recognizing that the interest of resident advocates
    and PHA groups may have opposing interest.  Exploring why people
    disagree may not be beneficial to this process -- the presentation
    of the principles in some manner could be more efficient.   

-   Overall, we need to be clear in how the principles are presented.  A
    second review of each principle occurred for closure comments.  \# 1
    -- No changes, \# 2 & \# 3 -- Mandate should be taken into
    consideration and presented for consideration -- as written -- for
    now.  Preamble with "many people" on the committee support as
    written and presented for discussion.

III. **[Assignment Reports]{.underline}**

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A.  ***964*** -- Victor Bach -- Regulation Summary search
    conducted/requested; Sam will assist.

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A.  ***Sec. 3 (135)*** -- Willie May Bennett - Bradley - Regulation
    Clarification -- resident impact/part -- financial support to
    monitor contracts.  How Asset Management (AM) will impact -- still
    exploring -- overall with the cuts will HA have resources to fulfill
    -- will this become an unfunded mandate? Funding allocated/available
    to have a person to work with residents to ensure opportunities are
    given to residents AND contractors are following the requirements. 
    ***Legal services may have to be utilized to cull all the nuances
    and possibilities.***  QWRHA etc must be consulted after AM
    training.  Is this ripe for a waiver -- 24 CFR 990.255 B --
    "appropriate changes ...under goal of AM" -- we should look beyond
    the regulation and focus on the statute then formulate a
    conclusion.   Regulations can be eliminated -- statute is more
    difficult.  Succinctly, HUD has issued a regulation stating ability
    to make appropriate changes in its regulatory and monitoring program
    that may be needed in support of AM".    ***[REQUEST FOR
    HUD]{.underline}*:** Provide regulatory vs. statute clarification so
    we can utilize to discern / formulate comments.  25 CFR 5.110 --
    Waivers "Secretary may waive and delegate...in accordance with the
    Housing Act..." . Remember, the 3/1/07 Notice was issued without
    comment.  Question: What is the process waivers can be issued with
    or without changes to the CFR.     Critical -- HUD has/will waive -
    WE must be educated/prepared to act on this with guidance**[. 
      KEY:  What can be waived and how it impacts.  ]{.underline}**

B.  ** 984 -- Sec 8 / PH - FSS:** Joy Johnson -- Training best practices
    could be explored on working models and how does the waiver impact
    the program.  Overview on the regulation was provided.  Discussion
    on how 984 relates to 983 does AM impact FSS? Recommendation for all
    to read AM newsletter where it states "no action proposed" on this
    topic.  This could effect the PH FSS program -- 984 104 -- 913/918
    etc. -  It was suggested that the group revisit the handout by the 
    Housing Authority Insurance Group on FSS. 

**Next Meeting:**

-   Training on Asset Management -- 8/8 -   HUD & CLPHA-   Future
    presentations by Resident Oriented Groups will be scheduled -- date
    TBD (Review AM website information and PHADA's comments in
    preparation for the call) Ashford will handle logistical
    questions/set-up  for training call.   Members would like
    presentations sent out before the call.

-    964 Discussions 8/19