HomeMy WebLinkAboutFHA FMCoC EHV MOU 2021 - July 1, 2021
Emergency Housing Voucher
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
This Memorandum of Understanding has been created and entered into on
Thursday, July 8, 2021.
Public Housing Authority (PHA)
Fresno Housing Authority (FHA)
1331 Fulton Street
Fresno CA 93721
Continuum of Care (CoC)
Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC)
205 West Pontiac Way, Building 2
Clovis, CA 93612
I. Introduction and Goals
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is available through the American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). FHA and FMCoC are committed to administering the 298 EHV
vouchers awarded to the City and County of Fresno Housing Authorities in accordance
with all program requirements.
FHA goals and standards of success in administering the EHV program include:
• Issue vouchers to eligible individuals/families within 30-days of direct
referral from the FMCoC Coordinated Entry System (CES).
• Issue 25% of the vouchers within 6 months of the funding allocation.
(January 1, 2021)
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• Issue 50% of the vouchers within 12 months of the funding allocation.
(July 1, 2022)
• Issue 80% of the vouchers within 15 months of the funding allocation.
(October 1, 2021)
• Issue 100% of the vouchers within 24 months of the funding allocation.
(July 1, 2023)
• All Service Fees received by FHA will be used to support the services,
staffing and compliance of the EHVs.
• Work in collaboration with Service Providers to administer EHV program.
• Work with community to ensure EHVs are distributed equitably; Black
Indigenous People Of Color (BIPOC) EHV families have as successful of
housing outcomes as non-BIPOC EHV families.
• Provide a person-centered process for EHV program participants.
EHV Liaisons:
FHA - Doreen Eley
Fresno Housing Authority
Assistant Director – Special Programs
(559) 443-8431
FMCoC - Laura Moreno
Fresno Madera Continuum of Care
CoC Chair
(559) 600-2335
II. Define the populations eligible for EHV Assistance to be referred by FMCoC
1. Homeless, or
2. Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
stalking, or human trafficking, or
3. Were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability.
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III. Services to be provided to eligible EHV households – order of by which service fees
will be used and other funded sources will use existing CoC and County contracts
1. Partnering service providers will provide housing search assistance for eligible
individuals and families.
2. Partnering service providers will support individuals and families in completing
applications and obtaining necessary supporting documentation to support
referrals and applications for assistance, while aiding households in addressing
barriers.
3. Partnering service providers will support FHA in ensuring appointment
notifications to eligible individuals and families and will assist eligible households
in getting to meetings with the FHA.
4. Partnering service providers will assess individuals and families who may require
referrals for assistance on arrears, application fees, security deposits, utility hook-
up fees, and utility deposits.
5. Partnering service providers will provide counseling on compliance with rental
lease requirements.
6. Partnering service providers will assess and refer individuals and families to
benefits and supportive services, where applicable.
IV. FHA Roles and Responsibilities
1. Designate and maintain a lead EHV liaison to communicate with FMCoC.
2. Coordinate and consult with the FMCoC in developing the services and
assistance to be offered under the EHV services fee.
3. Accept direct referrals for eligible individuals and families through the CoC
Coordinated Entry System.
4. Commit a sufficient number of staff and necessary resources to ensure that the
application, certification, and voucher issuance processes are completed in a
timely manner.
5. Commit a sufficient number of staff and resources to ensure that inspections of
units are completed in a timely manner.
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6. Explain and provide information about EHV program policies and procedures to
current and prospective landlords and participants.
7. Retain verification that the family meets one of the three eligible categories for
EHV assistance as part of the family’s file.
8. Monitor program performance and compliance of participants and owners.
9. Comply with the provisions of this MOU.
V. FMCoC Roles and Responsibilities
1. Designate and maintain a lead EHV liaison to communicate with the FHA.
2. Identify and provide supportive services to EHV families. (While EHV participants
are not required to participate in services, the CoC will assure that existing
services are available for EHV clients as appropriate.
3. Support eligible individuals and households in completing and applying for
supportive documentation to accompany admissions application to the FHA (i.e.,
self-certifications, birth certificate, social security card, etc.).
4. Provide documentation to the FHA of the verification that the family meets one
of the three eligible categories for Fresno EHV assistance.
5. Attend EHV participant briefings when needed.
6. Assess all EHV eligible households for mainstream benefits and supportive
services available.
7. Refer eligible individuals and families to FHA using the community’s Coordinated
Entry System (CES).
8. Comply with the provisions of this MOU.
VI. Program Evaluation
The FHA and FMCoC agree to cooperate with HUD, provide requested data to HUD or
HUD approved contractor delegated the responsibility of program evaluation
protocols established by HUD or HUD-approved contractor, including possible
random assignment procedures.
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Executed by:
_______________________________________ ________________________
Angie Nguyen Date
Chief CEO and Chief Program Officer, FHA
_______________________________________ ________________________
Laura Moreno Date
Chair, FMCoC