To: Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County and Board of Commissioners of the Community Development Commission
Department or Agency Name(s): Community Development Commission
Staff Name and Phone Number: Dave Kiff, 565-7500; Martha Cheever, 565-7521
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Sonoma County Housing Authority’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan and 504 Self-Evaluation
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Review and Accept the Sonoma County Housing Authority’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan and 504 Self-Evaluation Report which were developed under a compliance plan to ensure equal access to programs, services and activities without regard to disability.
B) Authorize submission of the ADA Transition Plan and 504 Self-Evaluation Report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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Executive Summary:
On June 18, 2019, the Sonoma County Housing Authority entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. The VCA requires the completion of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan and 504 Self-Evaluation of the Housing Authority’s programs, activities and services. To meet these obligations, and to create a path forward toward improved accessibility, the Housing Authority contracted with Sally Swanson Architects, Inc. (SSA). The Americans with Disabilities 504 Self-Evaluation Report (Attachment 1 to this agenda item) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan (Attachment 2 to this agenda item) were released for public comment on May 4, 2021. All public comments received during the public comment period have been incorporated into the Americans with Disabilities 504 Self-Evaluation Report.
Discussion:
In spring 2018, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) conducted an accessibility audit of the Sonoma County Housing Authority’s (Housing Authority) programs and services. Upon completion of the audit, the Housing Authority entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with HUD FHEO to address areas of improvement that the Housing Authority could make to ensure that all programs, services and activities are accessible to all without regard to disability.
The Housing Authority has worked diligently to address all matters within the VCA. The final obligation of the VCA is the completion of a 504 Self-Evaluation and ADA Transition Plan. To meet these obligations, and to create a path forward toward improved accessibility, the Housing Authority contracted with Sally Swanson Architects, Inc. (SSA) to review physical accessibility and to conduct a 504 Self-Evaluation.
The 504 Self-Evaluation provides a comprehensive review of the Housing Authority’s programs, services and activities Included within the report are identified barriers to accessibility and recommendations for improved access. A copy of the report is included as Attachment 1 to this agenda item.
The ADA Transition Plan was prepared in conjunction with the 504 Self-Evaluation and identifies physical barriers to accessibility at the CDC office located at 1440 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa. Each barrier has been prioritized and will be addressed accordingly. A copy of the ADA Transition Plan is included as Attachment 2 to this report.
Estimated costs to mitigate physical barriers included in the ADA Transition Plan total $219,075. Some of the improvements are the responsibility of the owner of the leased office space and others are the responsibility of the Community Development Commission (CDC). The CDC has appropriated $50,000 for fiscal year 21-22 and will commit appropriations in fiscal years 22-23, 23-24, and 24-25 to mitigate physical barriers within its office.
Approval of this agenda item will authorize staff to submit the ADA Transition Plan and 504 Self-Evaluation Report to HUD FHEO for review and make any modifications requested by HUD FHEO. Once these documents are accepted by HUD FHEO, the Housing Authority will have met all initial obligations of the VCA.
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY 22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Appropriations are included in the FY 21-22 Adopted Budget for the ADA Transition Plan. Staff will ensure that $50,000 per year is appropriated to address physical barriers as identified. Funding will be split between all CDC funding sources.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Americans with Disabilities 504 Self-Evaluation Report
Attachment 2 - Americans with Disabilities Transition Plan
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None