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Anaheim Housing Authority < 201 South Anaheim Boulevard, Suite 203 < Anaheim CA 92805 Telephone [PHONE REDACTED] < Fax [PHONE REDACTED] For comments and suggestions for future newsletters, please contact Alma Huerta at [EMAIL REDACTED] Housing Choice Voucher Volume 7 - Issue 1 / February 2015 To find out more about Downtown Anaheim events, please visit www.DowntownAnaheim.com EVENTS DOWNTOWN 241 South Anaheim Boulevard [PHONE REDACTED] or www.muzeo.org 11/15/2014 – 2/15/2015 Owner Newsletter New Policy for Housing Quality Standards Inspections Effective January 2015, the Anaheim Housing Authority (AHA) will conduct regular Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections every other year. • Historically, Housing Choice Voucher units under contract have been inspected annually. In January 2015, AHA began to implement biennial inspections instead of annual inspections. This means that only half of the inspections due in every month of 2015 will be performed this year. The remaining half will be inspected next year. NOTE: AHA will continue to inspect all units requiring a new contract (new admission and new move-in inspections). • AHA may conduct a special inspection of any unit not due for a biennial inspection if we receive information that indicates the unit may be in violation of Housing Quality Standards (HQS). • Special inspections may be requested by the owner, the tenant, or a third party as a result of problems identified with a unit between biennial inspections. Depending on the type of deficiency, AHA will determine if the repair must be completed within 24 hours (for life threatening conditions) or if the repair can be completed within a specific time frame (about 3 weeks). • Any unit that has a history of non-compliance with HQS may be inspected annually. Housing Assistance Payment Abatement Policy An abatement is the suspension of housing assistance payments (HAP) due to non-compliance with HQS. If a landlord fails to correct HQS deficiencies within the specified time frame by AHA, the HAP will be abated. Abatements will begin the first of the month following the specified correction period. Retroactive payments cannot be made to owners for any period in which a unit was not in compliance. If HAP is withheld for 60 days, the contract will be terminated. AHA will issue a 30 day notice of HAP contract termination. If landlord makes the pending repairs and notifies AHA before the termination of the HAP contract, AHA may rescind the termination notice if 1) the family still resides in the unit and wishes to remain in the unit and 2) the unit passes inspection. Remember, the landlord must contact AHA to request a final inspection after an abatement letter has been issued. Made at a time when America was coming to terms with what it meant to be a modern nation, the quilts in this exhibit unfold the stories of more than 140 years in American quilting. MUZEO FARMERS PARK MARKET 400 South Anaheim Boulevard This urban market, next to Anaheim Packing House, offers the community high quality agricultural goods from local growers and ranchers, as well as gourmet artisan foods. ---PAGE BREAK--- Volume 7 ~ Issue 1 February 2015 Quarterly Edition AHA Partner Portal Has Been Improved The AHA Partner portal has been improved. It is now easier to use and create a new owner’s account. The ability to print your direct deposit statements has also been simplified. In the future, AHA will begin to phase out the mailing of direct deposit statements. Now is a good time to familiarize yourself with the system. Upcoming Features: • AHA is working on making the rent increase process available on partner portal. It is important that the lease agreement clearly indicates who (tenant or owner) is responsible for payment of the utilities. New contracts are required when there is a discrepancy between the existing lease and the contract, or if there is any change in the lease requirements regarding tenant or owner responsibilities for utilities. EVENTS Deceased Tenants Housing Authorities are required to immediately terminate program assistance for deceased single member households. This results in termination of the HAP contract. There cannot be any HAP payment made for any period following the month in which the death occurred. There are no exceptions to this policy and procedure. Need to fill your vacancy? Advertise for free! As a participating owner of the Section 8 Program, you may list detailed information and photos of your available rental units in Anaheim, at no cost to you. Visit us online to get started. www.GoSection8.com www.AnaheimHousingPrograms.com Upcoming AHA will be hosting a Crime and Responsibility in Rental Housing workshop for owners. More information will be sent out soon. CORNER HQS Quarterly schedule for HAP direct deposit: February 3, 2015 March 3, 2015 April 2, 2015 To make direct deposit changes, or to update account information, please complete the forms at: AnaheimHousingPrograms.com For more information, contact Yazmin Velasquez at [PHONE REDACTED] x4726 PLEASE NOTE: Direct deposits are made on the second business day of every month. All rental units under the HCV program must have a working permanently-installed heater. At the time of the HQS inspection, the pilot must be on as the inspector must be able to test the heater. Utilities in the HAP Contract and Lease DEPOSIT Direct