March, 26, 2013 - San Antonio Housing Authority

SAN ANTONIO HOUSING AUTHORITY March 26, 2013
MEMORANDUM
To:
ittee
From:
Presented by: r, , Interim Deputy Director of Public Housing
RE:
Update and discussion regarding the revised eviction procedures
Summary
In order to standardize procedures at each public housing site, and to mitigate and minimize
evictions as much as possible, the Public Housing department has revised its eviction policy.
Public housing rent collection is seriously inadequate at this time. Part of the reason, at some
sites, is likely the belief among some residents that SAHA will not take any serious action
against them when rent is not paid. To address this matter, staff will undertake a communication
effort with all residents, to explain that non-payment of rent will lead to certain eviction. (Sample
communication materials will be available at the March 26 Resident Services Committee
meeting.)
Residents who are encountering a financial hardship or emergency may still enter into a
repayment agreement, which would forestall eviction so long as the residents abide by the
agreement. Residents whose current rent and older unpaid rent exceeds 40% of their adjusted
income, or whose unpaid ·rent exceeds six times the monthly rent, are not eligible for a
repayment agreement.
A second repayment agreement would only be permitted under an emergency and would have
to be approved by a Public Housing Assistant Director or higher level position.
Staff will be reminded that one of SAHA's primary missions is to house people, not evict them ,
and that we should take all appropriate steps to avoid or mitigate eviction; but with this in mind,
SAHA needs to move for eviction whenever such mitigation attempts have failed .
PROPOSED ACTION:
None
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Agenda Item No. 5