Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008
    The San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) Board of Commissioners recently approved several cost-cutting measures in response to changes mandated by the recent federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (CAA).  These changes will result in an $11 million reduction in funding for Section 8, Housing Choice Voucher rent payments. 
    In March, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informed all public housing authorities that effective April 1, new federal funding guidelines would be instituted. SAHA currently administers approximately 13,000 vouchers yearly, of which 500 participants are expected to be reduced from the program, and approximately 1,000 will be alternatively assisted in public housing.
    “Working with HUD representatives in D.C. and San Antonio, SAHA will immediately implement measures to meet Congress’ new benchmark for the program,” said Ramiro Cavazos, SAHA Board Chairman. “We believe the actions taken will meet the new mandated guidelines, with the least impact on our families. This is part of the new SAHA.  Better management, greater efficiencies, and potential cost savings to residents, government and taxpayers.”
    It is important to note that no new vouchers are being issued at this time.  The Public Housing waiting list continues to remain open.  We realize this may affect some of your caseload; please know that we are working with HUD to address the issues surrounding these changes. 
    These changes will have an effect on some of your constituents; a customer care response team has been put in place to address their concerns directly.  The response team can be reached directly at (210) 477-6801.  As always, elected officials are asked to contact SAHA at (210) 477-6131 to open a case on behalf of constituents who prefer that we work with your office instead.
    For a more thorough understanding of the changes to the SAHA HCV program click here:
http://www.saha.org/aboutsaha/pdfs/Consolidated_Appropriations_Act_2008.pdf

Effective Constituent Inquiries
   SAHA has developed a guide to help the Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison, Monica Quiroga, answer your inquiries in an expedient, effective manner.  Below please find a brief outline of how to best achieve resolution to your case load for both internal and external customers. We welcome the opportunity to brief individual offices and your staff about case work, community relations, and any other topics you feel may be addressed.  Please call (210) 477-6131 to arrange for your briefing.

Our Customers:
8 Gather information about your constituent:
    4 Full Name
    4 Social Security Number for Head of Household
    4 Participant Status:
        5 Section 8 applicant
        5 Section 8 participant
        5 Public Housing applicant
        5 Public Housing participant
        5 Disaster Housing Assistance Payment participant (displaced by Katrina)
8 Collect information about your constituent’s concerns:
    4 Be sure to get as much detail as possible, including who at SAHA they have worked with
    4 Provide copies of photographs, documents, etc. when possible
8 Contact Corporate Relations
    4 Intergovernmental Affairs Staff exists to work with our elected officials to address inquiries on behalf of your constituents, and answer directly to your office.
    4 If your constituent prefers to work with SAHA directly, provide them with the    SAHA web site: www.saha.org.
       5 Helpful numbers:
           Public Housing participants: 477-6196
           Section 8 participants: 477-6212
           DHAP participants: 477-6567
     4 Email your constituent concerns to Monica at Monica_Quiroga@saha.org.  Email communication is best, so we can keep track of the progress of your case, and I can relay specific information directly to the appropriate departments for the most expedient turnaround time. 

External Customers:
8 External Customers can be neighbors, concerned citizens, Homeowners Association Officers, or anybody else!
8 Intergovernmental Affairs can also answer inquiries to you on behalf of external customers.
   4 Gather pertinent information
   4 Relay via email
8 Helpful numbers to provide to external customers:
   Corporate Relations: 477-6262
   Doing Business with SAHA: 477-6169
   Human Resources: 477-6116
   Fraud Hotline: 477-6287
   Landlord Inquiries: 477-6033