El Paso County Housing Authority reports RAD completion, clean audit and 27 new vouchers

The El Paso County Housing Authority presented its quarterly report to the Commissioner's Court on June 22, saying a recent Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion is complete and describing capital improvements and expanded voucher opportunities.

The authority's director said the RAD conversion preserved affordable properties and enabled about $5 million in renovations that included new roofs, energy-efficient windows and HVAC upgrades. The housing authority also reported expansion of its voucher program by 27 vouchers (10 for veterans, 15 for foster youth transitioning to independence) and is pursuing additional vouchers.

External auditor Mr. Larson gave an unmodified (clean) audit opinion for the authority's fiscal year end, reporting no internal-control or compliance findings and noting a strong liquidity position with approximately three years of operating reserves. "We gave an unmodified opinion on compliance on both these programs," the auditor said, summarizing the audit results.

Commissioners asked why many of the authority's projects and outreach have focused on the east side. The director said the office is expanding outreach and exploring co-investment and self-help home programs for other unincorporated neighborhoods and indicated plans for satellite outreach in western precincts.

The court accepted the Housing Authority report by motion and will expect a follow-up with details on voucher placement and next steps for scattered-site housing plans.

The presentation also included community-service statistics: more than 526 households served by supportive programming and plans for future market studies in targeted neighborhoods to inform development opportunities.