County's Public Housing Program Receives HUD High Performer Designation

Los Angeles County Development Authority Obtains Top Public Housing Assessment System Score

February 13, 2023 - The Los Angeles County Development Authority’s (LACDA) Public Housing Program continues to receive a High Performer designation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under HUD’s Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS). The PHAS is an in-depth evaluation of a Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) performance including the physical condition of properties, financial health, management systems, and the effectiveness of its modernization Capital Fund Program. For the 13th year, the LACDA received a top rating in each category, with a total score of 98 out of 100. The LACDA’s Public Housing Program, with 2,962 units located at 63 properties throughout the County of Los Angeles, is the second largest PHA in Southern California.

As part of the PHAS, this year HUD inspected the LACDA’s Harbor Hills, Nueva Maravilla, West County, North County, and South County properties totaling 2,458 units. In the last three years, the LACDA has invested over $26 million dollars for capital improvements at these properties.

Executive Director Emilio Salas gives credit to his staff who worked diligently to achieve a Higher Performer rating once again, while simultaneously completing timely unit work orders, annual reexaminations of program eligibility, unit upgrades and inspections, preparing vacant units for occupancy, and calculating the family rent amounts in accordance with HUD requirements.

“Receiving the High Performer status again is really a testament that the LACDA’s Public Housing Program is being well managed in all phases of its operations,” said Salas. “The High Performer designation also makes the LACDA eligible for a bonus in the Capital Fund, a reduction in certain inspection requirements, and places the LACDA in an excellent position for many HUD grants, and most importantly, continues to provide our residents with modest affordable housing.”