Council approves Carlsbad Housing Agency PHA annual plan and revised administrative plan for HUD submission

Acting as the Community Development Commission on March 25, Carlsbad’s council voted unanimously to approve the Carlsbad Housing Agency’s fiscal-year annual PHA plan for 2026–27 and to adopt a revised local administrative plan.

Housing services manager Christian Gutierrez told the council the PHA plan aligns local priorities with HUD requirements and that HUD projected approximately $12,100,000 in total funding for program costs next year, with roughly $11,300,000 allocated to voucher rent payments and the remainder for administrative functions. Gutierrez said the agency had been designated a HUD “shortfall” agency and that revisions to the administrative plan include standard measures allowing staff to limit or pause new vouchers if funding is constrained and to incorporate funding availability into portability and move policies.

Gutierrez said the updates were reviewed by the Housing Commission and had a 45-day public comment period; staff recommended the council adopt two resolutions for submission to HUD. There were no public speakers on this item. Following council questions about how mainstream and VASH vouchers would be tracked, Gutierrez explained HUD is consolidating the mainstream program into the Housing Choice Voucher program and that VASH vouchers remain administered through a county partnership.

Council moved and unanimously approved both resolutions; staff will finalize the plans, include any public comments from the hearing and submit them to HUD.