County's Public Housing Program Receives HUD High Performer Designation

Top Rating Dedesignation Received for the 14th Year

August 14, 2024 - 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 14th 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, the LACDA was allowed to keep previous inspection scores, as the agency is participating in HUD’s National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) demonstration. This allowed HUD to inspect the properties to test the new NSPIRE software and train inspectors on new protocols. HUD inspected the LACDA’s Carmelitos, Harbor Hills, Nueva Maravilla, West County, East County, North County, and South County properties totaling 2,962 units. Over the past three years, the LACDA has invested over $42 million dollars for capital improvements at these properties.

Much of the reason for achieving the High Performer status is due to the LACDA’s commitment to preserving its public housing properties, and the dedicated staff who work diligently to complete timely unit work orders, unit upgrades and inspections, and prepare vacant units for occupancy. Given the reliance on Federal funding to upkeep the properties and the rising costs to maintain housing units, PHAs like the LACDA now more than ever, need to press legislators and HUD to continue funding this crucial subsidy.

“Receiving the High Performer status for the 14th year is really a testament that the LACDA’s Public Housing Program is being well managed in all phases of its operations,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “While receiving the High Performer designation highlights our mission to Build Better Lives and Better Neighborhoods, it is also a reminder that PHAs like the LACDA cannot continue to upkeep these properties without additional investments from the Federal government, to provide our residents with modest affordable housing.”