Kurt Aldinger Kasey Archey Debbie Atilano Nancy Bills Jasmine Borrego Gary Clopp Michael Drandell David Eisenbach Tim English Priscilla Gilliam Carole Glodney Gary Glucroft John Grady Lori Horn

Kathy Keifner D. Jo McNamara Alla Perstin Ernie Pilpil Tom Sellers Bruce Solari Johrita Solari Gianna Solari Nancy Spring Debbi Stambaugh Karen Steinbaum Wende Tarantino Sherry Wheelock Christopher White

Serving on the Board of Directors doesn’t just mean attending a monthly meeting. It means setting the interests of your individual company and yourself aside for the good of the organization as a whole. It means dedicating a good chunk of your time serving on various committees, like the Seminar Committee, to ensure that our members receive the educational classes that they need and want. It means acting as a resource to our members who have questions. It means going to bat for our members when they have issues with agencies. And it means looking forward…….

In January 2009, the Board of Directors of AHMA-PSW will be putting together a Strategic Plan for the future. We will do our best to include your thoughts, your wants, your needs, your issues so that AHMA-PSW can continue to grow stronger as an organization. I invite you to share any information you would like us to consider during our planning session with our AHMA-PSW Executive Director, Debbie Hawkins.

As 2008 comes to a close, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Nancy B. Bills
President


ANNUAL SEMINAR AND TRADE SHOW
AHMA-PSW Riding the Wave of Change, 5/17 – 5/19/09
Pull out the flip-flops and laptops - the 2009 AHMA-PSW Seminar is full of education and fun! The number of classes has been increased; an additional Maintenance track has been added; speakers are flying in from all over the country; exhibitors are booking their spots like hot cakes. Don’t miss this incredible conference!

Just a few of the new classes that will be offered are “Resident Services and Property Management Working Together,” “I Don’t Have Time to be STRESSED,” and “Using a REAC Inspection Checklist to Improve Scores.” Just one idea from any of these classes will save you hours of time and will save your properties money!

You’ll be shouting “AHMA in Paradise” on Monday night when you take a tropical vacation and enjoy interactive games, entertainment and oh so many surprises.

The Seminar Registration form will be online and in your mailbox shortly. Don’t miss this once a year opportunity.


Karen Steinbaum Wins NAHMA’s 2009 Industry Achievement Award
Karen Steinbaum, NAHP-e, of SK Management Company, LLC, is one of the affordable housing industry’s hardest working members. Karen has been a leader in affordable housing for 30 years, and a member of NAHMA since 1991. She was elected to the NAHMA Board in 1993 and has served continuously since then (with one little break). The words that describe her best are dedication and innovation. Her achievements include (more…)


WELCOME AHMA-PSW NEW MEMBERS
American Baptist Homes of the West
Mildred Makamure
460 E. Fern Ave.
Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 335-3077
www.abhow.com

AWFMEX, Inc.
Elda Palma
334 N. Normandie Ave., #102
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 913-2905

Foundation for Senior Living
Marjorie Guy
1201 E. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 285-1800

Genessy Management & Development, LLC
Elda Palma
334 N. Normandie Ave., #104
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 913-2905

JAE Properties, Inc.
Carolyn Jackson
P.O. Box 1027
Benicia, CA 94510
(707) 747-2861
www.jaeproperties.com

National United Properties
Elda Palma
334 N. Normandie Ave., #106
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 913-2905

Vatche Boyadjian
19422 Pauma Valley Drive
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
(818) 235-6175


NAHMA Calendars – Support NAHMA and AHMA-PSW!
The NAHMA Drug-Free Kids Calendar program is NAHMA’s most important annual fundraiser, bringing together families, children, NAHMA members and AHMA’s all over the country with a common ideal: to build and maintain safe, quality affordable housing that is violence and drug-free.

Remember, without your help NAHMA can’t help the communities and families in need of safe, affordable housing. With your support everyone benefits.

The 2009 NAHMA Drug-Free Kids Calendar is easy to order!
1. Order your calendars now by using the linked 2009 Calendar Order Form
2. Reply directly to this email below and indicate your order quantity and contact information;
3. Visit our Web site store www.nahma.org/store
4. Call NAHMA at 703-683-8630 for a faxable order form!


What has AHMA-PSW Done for You Lately?
Liaison Meetings
By Lori Horn, The John Stewart Company

On November 13, 2008 AHMA PSW Liaison Committee met with members of the Los Angeles HUD office, LA LOMOD, Quadel and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles to discuss pending issues. Some noteworthy issues that came out of the meeting were: (more…)


LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 Notice
On November 24, 2008, a Notice was published in the Federal Register providing information about the applicability of certain provisions of the HERA to HUD Public Housing, Section 8 Tenant-Based Voucher and Section 8 Project-Based Vocher Programs. This Notice also identifies a provision of the law applicable to project-based assisted housing programs administered by the Office of Housing. (more...)

VAWA Interim Rule Published
The VAWA Interim Rule was published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2008. This interim rule conforms HUD’s regulations to the self-implementing provisions of the statutory protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking provided by the VAWA, as amended. The interim rule applies to HUD’s public housing and tenant-based and project-based Section 8 programs. (more...)

New Lead-Based Paint Brochure for Residents Required by December 22, 2008
The Environmental Protection Agency has revised its Lead-Based Paint Pre-Renovation Education regulations to required apartments community owners and mangers to provide residents with a new brochure any time the owner undertakes repairs or renovation in pre-1978 housing that may disturb more than two squire feet of paint. Under the revised rules, the EPA has published a new pamphlet called “Renovate Right” that property owners must start distributing no later than December 22, 2008. Owners of pre-1978 building are still required to distribute the "Protect Your Family" pamphlet to residents at the time of the lease signing to comply with separate federal lead-based paint disclosure requirements. More information on this program may be found by clicking here.
(Source: California Apartment Association)

New Law Requires Swimming Pool Upgrades by December 19, 2008
A new federal safety law requires that by December 19, 2008, all public pools and spas have appropriate safety drain cover, and in certain circumstances, anti-entrapment systems. Under the federal law, "public pools and spas" includes those which are open to residents of an apartment building or complex, residential development, or multi-family residential area, or patrons of a hotel or other public facility. More information on the "Virginia Graema Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act," 15 USC 8001, may be found by clicking here.
(Source: California Apartment Association)

IRS 2009 Mileage Rates
The IRS has announced that beginning January 1, 2009, that standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups, or panel trucks) will be:
• 55 cents per mile for business miles driven;
• 24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and,
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.
(Rev. Proc. 2008-72)


NAHMA NEWS

NAHMA Fall Meeting Highlights, Washington DC, October 19-21, 2008
By Kasey Archey, G & K Management Company, Inc.

• The translation of the CPO into Spanish and the efforts being made to make sure that the language was accurate for the majority of Spanish-speaking test takers was discussed.
• There will be additional LEP translations in early 2009, however the languages discussed will not be beneficial to the AHMA-PSW region.
• EIV training via webcast will be conducted 12/16 and 12/17. All tenants will need SSN when EIV is made mandatory.
• Model Lease no longer needs OMB number and expiration date.
• Discussion on the proposed bill for REAC proposes that all REAC Inspectors must obtain $500,000 insurance. The bill also addresses the ability to fix some easily correctible deficiencies at the time of the inspection to avoid unnecessary deductions.
• TV Conversion to take place on 2/17/09. Each family is eligible for 2 coupons worth $40 each.
  

HUD NEWS

Shaun Dononvan Named New HUD Director
President-elect Barack Obama has named Shaun Donovan, New York City's Commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development, to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during his weekly radio address. (more…)

HUD, Los Angeles Feud Intensifies
California: A simmering feud between HUD and Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACLA) erupted into a full-blown confrontation with city officials calling the department capricious and politically motivated for ending a program that gives the local agency $8 million a year in administrative fees. The latest face-off between the two sides continues a long-standing dispute over how the city operates HACLA.

A HUD inspector general audit finds HACLA culpable for a failure by its inspectors to detect deficiencies in nearly two-thirds of its Sec. 8 units. HUD claims the city is spending $65 million a year to put vouchers holders in substandard housing when officials could be putting pressure on landlords to repair units or moving people into better housing.

HACLA, with a $400 million a year budget and 35,000 units in its Sec. 8 program, dismisses HUD's findings and says it will not lose the $65 million HUD says is in jeopardy.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) goes a step further by accusing HUD of political shenanigans for ending a program that provides healthcare centers at public housing projects, summer job programs for at-risk youths and other services for the poor. The mayor questions what he calls the political motivation behind a dramatic policy change in the waning days of the Bush administration.

Final Audit Memorandum Report
The Office of Audit HUD/Office of Inspector General performed a review of HUD's recent invitation to submit applications (invitation) for performance-based contract administrator services for Southern California to be effective June 1, 2009, and its related annual contributions contract (contract) due to a complaint and concerns that this activity may have been inconsistent with agreed-upon management decisions on Audit Report 2007-SE-0001. The purpose of this review was to determine whether the invitation and the related proposed contract were consistent with the management decisions on our audit report and to advise the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing of any inconsistency. The review found that HUD did not implement the two recommendations from Audit Report 2007-SE-0001 calling for changes to the contract. As a result, the deficiencies reported in that report were not corrected. Consequently, HUD could pay as much as $1.9 million or 19 percent of the contract's basic fee each year for work not required and not performed on this contract and will not achieve its objective of obtaining the best value for dollars spent for contract administrator services. (more…)

NAHMAnalysis-Pet Ownership for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities, Final HUD Rule
The NAHMAnalysis on the “Pet Ownership for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities,” Final HUD Rule is now online at the NAHMAnalysis section of our member webpage. It can be accessed by clicking here (NAHMA members will need their password to access this link.)

HUD issues new Chapter 3 of the Consolidated Audit Guide for Audits of HUD Programs
On July 21, 2008 HUD issued the update to Chapter 3 - HUD Multifamily Housing Programs - of HUD Handbook 2000.04, Rev-2, Chg-7, Consolidated Audit Guide for Audits of HUD Programs. This Chapter 3 replaces the guidance previously contained in Chapter 4. As stated in the Transmittal of this Chapter 3 "A change was necessary to reflect changes in reporting, add suggested audit steps for areas not covered in the previous audit guide, and clarify existing information/guidance."

Some of the significant changes include:
• Additional compliance areas
• Expanded audit procedures
• Attributed sampling with minimum sample sizes
• Group project-based sampling (GPBS), if applicable
• Expanded reporting requirements

This chapter is effective and can be used upon issuance. The requirements in this chapter shall apply to audits of profit-motivated sponsors/entities with fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2008. The New Chapter 3 and Transmittal Letter can be found by clicking here.


AHMA EDUCATION/EVENTS

EIV Training Webcast Available on HUD Web Site
On December 16 & 17, 2008, HUD hosted a 2-day web-based Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) class. This training was delivered via the HUD webcast. For those of you who were unable to watch the webcast, both days were recorded and have been posted in the webcast archives at click here. Course materials, including the agenda, Power Point presentations and case studies, have been posted to the EIV Training and Outreach for Multifamily Housing Programs web page at click here.

The Snowball is Growing…
By Gary Glucroft, The Screening Pros and AHMA Director of Associates

Now that AHMA-PSW’s second holiday social and toy drive is behind us, I am elated to report that we had even more in attendance than last year resulting in more gifts to be donated. We all have been coping with a disturbing change in our economy, so I was personally blown away to see so many still giving. It says a lot about our humanistic character to always want to help others even when it is difficult to help ourselves. Many of the families and children who received the holiday gifts deal with financial struggles every day. The change in the economy has placed many of their parents out of work; your generosity did not go unnoticed! (more…)


2009 DATES TO REMEMBER!

2009 Dan Grady Memorial Scholarship
Submission deadline: Friday, February 27, 2009

2009 Industry Award
Submission deadline: Monday, March 16, 2009

2009 Calendar Contest Calendar
Submission deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2009

2009 Annual Seminar and Tradeshow
May 17-19, 2009, LAX Marriott