Item HA 03 - Update to the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan

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Administrative Plan 7/1/2025 Page 18-6 18-I.E. REFERRALS AND WAITING LIST MANAGEMENT [Notice PIH 2023-04; FYI Updates and Partnering Opportunities Webinar FYI FAQs] Referrals The PCWA is responsible for certifying that the youth has prior qualifying foster care involvement. Once the PCWA sends the PHA the referral certifying the youth is program- eligible, the PHA determines HCV eligibility. The PCWA must have a system for identifying eligible youth within the agency’s caseload and reviewing referrals from other partners, as applicable. The PCWA must also have a system for prioritization of referrals to ensure that youth are prioritized for an FYI voucher based upon their level of need and appropriateness of the intervention. For youth still involved in the child welfare system, the permanency goals of the young person should be taken into account. Prioritization must be designed in a way that is consistent with fair housing and civil rights requirements. Referrals may come from other organizations in the community who work with the population, but the PCWA must certify that the youth meets eligibility requirements, unless the PCWA has vested another organization with this authority. The PHA is not required to maintain full documentation that demonstrates the youth’s eligibility as determined by the PCWA but should keep the referral or certification from the PCWA. The PCWA is not required to provide the PHA with HCV eligibility documents. SAHA Policy SAHA and County of Orange Social Service Agency (OCSSA) have identified staff positions to serve as lead FYI liaisons. These positions will be responsible for transmission and acceptance of referrals. OCSSA must commit sufficient staff and resources to ensure eligible youths are identified, prioritized, and determined eligible in a timely manner. When vouchers are available, SAHA liaison responsible for acceptance of referrals will contact the OCSSA liaison via email indicating the number of vouchers available and requesting an appropriate number of referrals. No more than 14 calendar days from the date OCSSA receives this notification, the OCSSA liaison must provide SAHA with a list of eligible referrals, a completed release form, and a written certification for each referral indicating the referral is eligible. The list will include the name, address, and contact phone number for each adult individual who is being referred. SAHA will maintain a copy of each certification from OCSSA in the participant’s file along with other eligibility paperwork. EXHIBIT 1