HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/15/1996CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 15, 1996
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Collier, Mollenhoff, Murphy, Jordan,
Krizek, Anders, Getty
Assistant Housing Block Grant Program Manager Deb Collett explained
the proposed changes to the administrative plan and admission
policy for Section 8 housing as a result of Newt Gingrich's meeting
in Waterloo last year. Rule changes have been established to
assist the Housing Authority in terminating assistance to persons
involved in violent or drug activity. Applicants may be screened
for criminal history and citizenship or immigration status.
Collett provided a copy of the participants of the community task
force working on the proposed changes. The task force included
CCI, neighborhood organizations, landlords, police officers,
members from the Cedar Falls Housing Authority and Legal Services.
Collett reviewed the new administrative plan which reflects the
changes that were proposed by the task force. The new plan sets
out and identifies owner (landlord) responsibilities and rights
which include the right to screen tenants, collect deposits and
evict tenants who violate a lease. The plan also identifies the
owners responsibility to maintain housing or be subject to
disbarment from the Section 8 program.
Tenant responsibilities have been changed to include an obligation
to maintain the unit and utility service within thirty days of
shutoff and notice or the tenant may lose assistance. Tenants are
required to provide notification of additional family members
joining a household to the Housing Authority. A family's eviction
will also result in the termination of Section 8 assistance if
appropriate. Standards have been set for termination of assistance
to tenants involved in violent crime or illegal drugs, and nuisance
or "loud" tenants. Termination of Section 8 assistance may be done
at the discretion of the Housing Authority anytime there is a
preponderance of evidence. The plan does identify methods for
appeal of termination of assistance.
Collett asked for input from the council on the term of denial for
assistance to applicants with criminal histories. The task force
recommended lifetime denial on assistance but Collett pointed out
that denial of participation in the program for landlords is for a
five year period and she recommended balancing the tenant denial
for the same time period. The members of the council approved the
period for denial of assistance to tenants to be for a five year
period.
Councilperson Collier asked for what causes the tenant could be
evicted by the Housing Authority. Collett explained that the
Housing Authority is not involved in eviction of tenants, that is
an owner's responsibility. However Section 8 assistance to a
tenant will be terminated for the causes listed in the plan under
Section 8.10. Owners have the right to evict tenants either by a
court ordered eviction, after giving ninety day notice of cause or
through voluntary cancellation of a lease agreement.
Collett pointed out the section which reflects
federal preferences as approved by council
incorporation of an Equal Opportunity Housing P
With no further discussion on this matter it
seconded by Murphy to adjourn the meeting at
Seven. Motion carried.
the elimination of
earlier and the
lan.
was moved Jordan,
6:15 p.m. Ayes:
Susan Fangman
City Clerk