NORTH IOWA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY 202 First Street SE, Ste. 203, Mason City, IA 50401

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 9:00 A.M. Access the conference by calling in to 617-793-8470 or toll free at 844-855-4444. Access code is 5204446

AGENDA

1. Opening of Meeting. Page a. Call to Order.b. Determination of Quorum.c. Recognition of Visitor.d. Approval of Agenda and Request for Changes

2. Open Forum.Audience Note: If you desire to speak to the board, please read and complete the OpenForum Request form provided at the sign-in table and give it to the Board Secretary.

3. Consent Agenda.All items under this section are considered to be routine and may be enacted by one motion.Any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of a Commissioner andconsidered separately.a. Executive Director’s Report 2 b. Approval of Consent Items or Request for Removal and Discussion

4. Old Business.a. Minutes 3-4 b. Financial Statements 5-6 c. Bills 7-8 d. Miscellaneous Communications

5. New Business.A. PH Utility Allowances 9-10 B. HCV Utility Allowances 11 C. HCV Payment Standards 12

6. Adjourn. Next Scheduled Meeting July 28, 2020.

3. Consent Agenda – Executive Director’s Report

a. Public Housing Unit Status

Unit Turnover

Month of June 2020

Total Units at

Site

Leased as of

05/31/2020

HUD Removed

Vacant Units

Algona 14 11 0 3

Britt 6 4 0 2

« Clear Lake 10 10 0 0

Forest City 16 14 0 2

« Hampton 27 27 0 0

« Manly 12 12 0 0

Northwood 8 7 0 1

« Osage 10 10 0 0

Rockford 10 8 0 2

« Sheffield 8 8 0 0

Total 121 111 0 10

« indicates that property is full

b. The process of updating our Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy(ACOP) and the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan continues. Future updateswith any revisions will come to the board on an annual basis. We expect to have a final draftcome to the board for approval at the July 2020 meeting.

c. NIRHA has additional funding available as a result of the CARES act, which made the fundsavailable to cover costs incurred by NIRHA due to the impact of COVID-19. The PublicHousing program has been awarded $59,740, and the Housing Choice Voucher program hasbeen awarded $40,238. These funds are allotted through December 31, 2020. HUD hasprovided guidance on allowable uses for these funds, which includes: protective equipment,hazard pay or overtime for staff, cleaning costs, equipment for staff, costs to retain orincrease owner participation, and some property upgrades.

d. An AC unit at Heritage Place in Hampton that cools the senior center has failed. The unitbeing replaced is 30+ years old. We have reached out for quotes to replace the unit.

e. Our audit is currently in process, and we expect it to be completed on schedule without theextended due date. There were delays in getting some payroll information from Loucks andSchwartz. Normally the audit is required to be completed by June 30 following the end of thefiscal year, but HUD granted an exception for this year due to the COVID-19 situation whichextends the due date to December 31, 2020.

f. We are currently issuing vouchers to ensure we fully use our Housing Choice Voucher grant.We have reached out to area churches and agencies to request applicants as we are runninglow on applications that meet our residency preference, but have not seen an increase inapplications.

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4. Unfinished Businessa. Minutes

NORTH IOWA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY 202 First Street SE, Ste. 203, Mason City, IA 50401

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 9:00 A.M. Conference Call

Minutes

1. Opening of Meeting.A. Chairperson Gelner called the North Iowa Regional Housing Authority regular board meeting to

order at 9:03 a.m. via conference call. Public access to the meeting was available via phone.

Board Members: Present: Delegates: Roger Batt, Tracy Church, Gary Gelner, Bruce Helgeson, Beth Johnson, AJ.Stone, Jeff Sherman. Absent: Yvonne Krukow. Staff: Carrie McBride and Justin Stotts. Guests: John Olson of Kronlage and Olson, P.C.

B. Determination of Quorum. A quorum was determined.

C. Recognition of Visitor. John Olson of Kronlage and Olson, P.C.

D. Move to Approve the agenda and Requested Changes/Recording of Agenda. Helgeson moved to approve the agenda as presented. Sherman seconded the motion. All were in favor; None opposed; and none abstained. The motion carried.

2. Open Forum.John Olson from Kronlage and Olson P.C. has started on audit and expects to be completed within thenormal time frame. No problems so far.

3. Consent Agenda.Johnson moved to approve the consent agenda. Stone second the motion. All were in favor; one opposed; andnone abstained. The motion carried.

4. Old Business.A. Minutes

Sherman moved to approve the minutes. Helgeson second the motion. All were in favor; none opposed; and none abstained. The motion carried.

B. Financial Statements Sherman moved to approve the Financial Statements. Helgeson second the motion. All were in favor; none opposed; and none abstained. The motion carried.

C. Bills Sherman moved to approve the Bills. Helgeson seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed; and none abstained. The motion carried.

D. Miscellaneous Communications Sherman moved to approve the Miscellaneous communications. Helgeson seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed; and none abstained. The motion carried.

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5. New Business.A. Change Term Dates of Secretary and Treasurer.

Batt moved to approve changing the term dates of the Secretary and Treasurer to coincide with the other officers of the Board, expiring September 30, 2022. Stone seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed; none abstained. The motion carried.

B. Nomination and Election of Secretary. Helgeson nominated Roger Batt for Secretary. Helgeson moved to cease nominations. Johnson Seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed; none abstained. The motion carried.

Helgeson moved to approve the nomination of Roger Batt as Secretary. Sherman seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: Johnson, Batt, Helgeson, Sherman, Church, Stone and Gelner. All were in favor; none opposed; none abstained.

C. Nomination and Election of Treasurer. Helgeson nominated Roger Batt for Treasurer. Helgeson moved to cease nominations. Stone seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed; none abstained. The motion carried.

Johnson moved to approve the nomination of Roger Batt as Treasurer. Helgeson seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: Batt, Helgeson, Church, Stone, Sherman, Johnson and Gelner. All were in favor; none opposed; none abstained.

D. HUD policy waivers. Sherman moved to approve the HUD policy waivers. Helgeson seconded the motion. All were in favor; none opposed; and none abstained. The motion carried.

6. Adjourn.Helgeson moved to adjourn. Batt seconded the motion. All in favor; none opposed; none abstained.Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:50 am. Next Meeting is May 26, 2020.

__________________________________ _______________ Gary Gelner, Chairperson Date

_______________________________ ______________ Justin Stotts, Executive Director Date

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5/15/2020 11:35 AM

NORTH IOWA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY - PHBoard Summary Report

As of April 30, 2020

Page 1 of 1

Current

Fiscal Year

Begin Bal +/-

Cash & Investments1111.01 ꞏ CASH GENERAL FUND 639,997.17 635,217.98 4,779.19 01114.00 ꞏ SECURITY DEPOSIT FUND 16,845.73 11,293.36 5,552.37 01117.00 ꞏ PETTY CASH 100.00 100.00 0.00 01162.05 ꞏ CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT 108,930.92 108,493.38 437.54 01162.10 ꞏ CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT-SD 23,757.42 23,691.73 65.69 0

TOTAL CASH & INVESTMENTS 789,631.24 778,796.45 10,834.79 0

YTD

Balance

Annual

Budget

Percent

of Budget

ReceiptsRENTAL INCOME 98,057.96 162,690.00 60 % OTHER OPERATING RECEIPTS 448,515.27 597,560.00 75 %

TOTAL OPERATING RECEIPTS 546,573.23 760,250.00 72 %

ExpensesADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 113,782.68 195,490.00 58 % UTILITIES EXPENSE 21,189.45 36,700.00 58 % MAINTENANCE EXPENSE 180,430.82 220,420.00 82 % GENERAL EXPENSE 63,159.33 119,490.00 53 % NONROUTINE EXPENDITURES 108,033.07 118,000.00 92 %

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 486,595.35 690,100.00 71 %

NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 59,977.88 70,150.00 85 %

Current

YTD

Operating Reserve2806.01 ꞏ UNRESTRICTED NET POSITION-ADMIN 699,788.49

OPERATING RESERVE, BEGINNING OF FISCAL YEAR 699,788.49

NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 0.00 0.00 59,977.88 CURRENT FY PENSION ACCRUAL ADJUSTMENT 0.00

OPERATING RESERVE, END OF CURRENT PERIOD 759,766.37

These financial statements have not been subject to compilation, review, or audit engagement.5

5/15/2020 4:25 PM

NORTH IOWA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY - VOBoard Summary Report

As of April 30, 2020

Page 1 of 1

Current

Fiscal Year

Begin Bal +/-

Cash & Investments1111.01 ꞏ CASH GENERAL FUND 281,448.23 295,490.79 (14,042.56) 0

TOTAL CASH & INVESTMENTS 281,448.23 295,490.79 (14,042.56) 0

YTD

Balance

Annual

Budget

Percent

of Budget

ReceiptsADMINISTRATIVE FEES EARNED 119,659.43 190,870.00 63 % OTHER OPERATING RECEIPTS 1,397.03 2,010.00 70 %

TOTAL OPERATING RECEIPTS 121,056.46 192,880.00 63 %

ExpensesADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 77,575.04 109,140.00 71 % UTILITIES EXPENSE 142.14 0.00 0 % MAINTENANCE EXPENSE 4,384.79 4,610.00 95 % GENERAL EXPENSE 20,326.37 37,180.00 55 %

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 102,428.34 150,930.00 68 %

NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 18,628.12 41,950.00 44 %

Current

YTD

Operating Reserve2806.01 ꞏ UNRESTRICTED NET POSITION-ADMIN 214,903.34

OPERATING RESERVE, BEGINNING OF FISCAL YEAR 214,903.34

NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 0.00 0.00 18,628.12 CURRENT FY PENSION ACCRUAL ADJUSTMENT 0.00

OPERATING RESERVE, END OF CURRENT PERIOD 233,531.46

These financial statements have not been subject to compilation, review, or audit engagement.6

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DATE: June 23, 2020 RE: LIPH Utility Allowance Schedule

REQUESTED ACTION: Consider approval of Resolution No. 2020-02 updating utility allowances for the Low Income Public Housing (LIPH) program effective August 1, 2020, pending comments received from residents.

COMMENTS: Residents who are required to pay for utilities receive a monthly utility allowance that reflects a reasonable amount for utilities based on specific unit size and unit type occupied by the resident. This amount is then deducted from the total tenant payment (TTP = 30% of monthly adjusted income) to determine the amount of rent actually paid to NIRHA. Example: TTP $347.00 Less Utility allowance $184.00 Rent to NIRHA $163.00

The amount of the utility allowance is equal to the estimate of the monthly cost of the reasonable consumption of utilities and other services for the unit by an energy-conservative household of modest circumstances.

Utility allowance amounts will vary by the rates in effect (water, sewer, trash, gas, electric), size and consumption (one, two, three or four bedrooms) and type of unit (duplex, row, town home), climatic location, type of construction, energy efficiency of the dwelling unit, and other factors related to the physical condition of the unit.

As required by program regulations, housing agencies are required to review utility allowances annually to determine fairness and reasonableness for program participants. The utility allowance computations have been done in-house for several years. It was decided to have a third party perform the calculations for this year. NIRHA contracted with HAPPY Software for the service, as the calculations can be directly downloaded into the HAPPY housing software used by the agency, resulting in improved efficiency.

NIRHA is not required to adjust allowances that are within 10% of the existing allowances.

The final Public Housing utility allowance schedules will be mailed to Public Housing residents. Residents will have 30 days to comment on the proposed changes. If no comments are received or changes are necessary, the schedules will go into effect August 1, 2020 and will be implemented at the time of the annual recertification of each resident.

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Following are the Public Housing allowances in effect as of May 1, 2019, as well as the proposed allowances to be effective August 1, 2020.

Proposed Effective August 1, 2020 1BR 2BR 3BR 4BR

Algona - Maplewood Apts. 215 263 305

Britt - Courtyard Square 234 294

Clear Lake - Fieldstone Circle 186 226

Forest City - Southview Plaza & Apts. 209 252

Manly - Friendship Village 104 142

Northwood - Schoolside Apts. 313

Osage - Park Plaza Apts. 137

Rockford - East Court Apts. 185 232 284

Sheffield - Oakwood East Apts. 198

Effective May 1, 2019 1BR 2BR 3BR 4BR

Algona - Maplewood Apts. 212.00 257.00 299.00

Britt - Courtyard Square 221.00 278.00

Clear Lake - Fieldstone Circle 172.00 211.00

Forest City - Southview Plaza & Apts. 217.00 263.00

Manly - Friendship Village 102.00

137.00

Northwood - Schoolside Apts. 307.00

Osage - Park Plaza Apts. 130.00

Rockford - East Court Apts. 188.00 220.00 289.00

Sheffield - Oakwood East Apts. 195.00

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DATE: June 23, 2020 RE: HCV Utility Allowance Schedule

REQUESTED ACTION: Consider approval of Resolution No. 2020-03 updating utility allowances for

the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program effective August 1, 2020. COMMENTS: The utility allowance requirements for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)

program are essentially the same as the Public Housing program. The same rate and consumption data used for the Public Housing utility allowances was also applied to the Housing Choice Voucher program.

NIRHA contracted with HAPPY Software for our utility allowance calculations, as the calculations can be directly downloaded into the HAPPY housing software used by the agency, resulting in improved efficiency. Data is compiled for the Voucher program using utility rates for the towns in each county where we have public housing units, EXCEPT in Worth and Franklin counties, where there are two communities with public housing. In these two instances, the rates for the larger community are used for the Voucher program. The board is being asked to approve Housing Choice Voucher utility allowance changes for all eight counties in the NIRHA jurisdiction. Due to the large volume of computations and paper, we have elected not to distribute paper copies to the board members unless requested. Copies of the schedules and supporting documentation will be available for review at NIRHA offices and on our website.

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DATE: June 23, 2020 RE: Approve HCV payment standards

REQUESTED ACTION: Approve revised payment standards to be effective September 1, 2020, for the

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. COMMENTS: Payment standards are used to calculate the housing assistance payments (HAP) paid to

landlords on behalf of assisted families. HUD publishes fair market rents (FMR) annually. HUD determines the FMRs on the 40th percentile of rents charged for standard rental housing in the FMR area. Public housing authorities have the flexibility to establish the payment standards for each county and bedroom size within 90% – 110% of the HUD published FMRs.

NIRHA can consider whether to increase or decrease the payment standard. If payment standards are too low, participants will be unable to find qualifying units to rent and voucher utilization rates drop. When payment standards are too high, an agency may have to limit the number of participants to avoid a budget shortfall. HUD projections for this calendar year based on data through May 31, 2020 show that NIRHA is projected to underspend our voucher funds by 15%. The official HUD target is 4% or less. In order to get in that range, we are issuing vouchers and proposing a payment standard increase of 5% across the board. This would create an average increase of $37 per voucher.

PROPOSED PAYMENT STANDARDS Effective September 1, 2020

NONMETROPOLITAN COUNTIES

0 BR 1 BR 2 BR 3 BR 4 BR

Cerro Gordo 520 605 797 1029 1246

Floyd 522 574 721 1005 1044

Franklin 522 548 721 973 978

Hancock 522 573 721 917 1203

Kossuth 543 548 721 939 978

Mitchell 522 548 721 899 978

Winnebago 522 548 721 983 1047

Worth 522 615 721 1020 1198

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