Program Description

Manages all legal aspects for the Department of Housing and Public Housing Administration. Assists management in the formulation of legislation related to the development and administration of housing programs.

• To provides support in the application and interpretation of legal and regulatory aspects of the programs, operating units and the entities assigned to the Department of Housing. Includes litigation support, among others.

• To speed up the processes involved in revision, preparation and segregation of deeds and contracts so that the programs and operating components are able to provide services, in compliance with applicable standards and applicable laws.

Department of Housing and its agencies

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	38	40	29	29
Maintenance and General Services Staff	0	1	1	1
Information Systems	1	0	0	0
Total, Positions	39	41	30	30

Program Description

To create, establish and promote the Department of Housing and the Public Housing Administrator's public policy, especifically for socially and economically disadvantaged families. To supervise compliance, on the part of the organizational units, with programmatic goals and objectives. Dispose of assets from of the exinct Corporation for Urban Renewal and Housing. Also work toward the revitalization of Centers and Urban Areas.

Objectives

• Plan, direct and supervise the Department's functions and its programs by incorporating technology and implementing an evaluation system.
  
  

• Transform the Department into an operating structure that can provide the quality of service required by our citizens, in a cost effective manner. To achieve this transformation we must modify, limit, repeal an amend (as necessary) those regulation and structures that establish the function of the Department.
  
  

• Increase joint efforts between public and private sectors to carry out studies and offer recommendations for public policy on the development of housing and the present state of the housing market.
  
  

• Expand and improve subsidy, credit programs, and mortgage insurance to low or middle income families and persons to help them obtain their own, safe and dignified home.
  
  

• Identify available public assets, including those of the extinct Corporation for Urban Housing Renovation (CRUV, Spanish acronym), suitable for the development of low income housing. Promote and propitiate their use toward the end. Attend to the necessary requirements, if any, to make them available (Property Registry, segregation, etc.).
  
  

• Provide orientations on the importance of complying with applicable permits when building or remodeling properties, specifically on how to avoid areas susceptible to floods and landslides.
  
  

Customers

Families with housing problems, complaints, or applications to the Department of Housing and Public Housing Administration.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	49	49	25	25
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	8	8	2	2
Maintenance and General Services Staff	8	6	4	4
Total, Positions	65	63	31	31

Program Description

Maintain the Agency's control of the budget and promote the effective use of funds via the esblishment of internal control and the adequate registration fo al financial transactions. Prepare reports required by the Department's management, its components and the state and federal government entities. It is based on the integration of information tecnology, to facilitate the operatin processes and reduce the margin of the error in order to provide timely and reliable information to the user.

Objectives

• To establish a mechanized system by cost center and budgetary items to reclect the accounting for each component of the Departament of Housing. To generates the reports necessary for decision making and for the financial statements, based on generally accepted government accounting principles.
  
  

• To revise the operating processes to maximize the use of resources. Harmonize existing operating manuals or create new ones if needed, to standardize processes and establish internal controls to guarantee the transparency required in the administration of assigned funds.
  
  

• To integrate technology into the different customer service processes in order to gather and analyze information efficiently and effectively, thereby aloowing the programs' benefits be quickly available to citizens.

The Department of Housing, its components and families that qualify for the federal programs which provide subsidies through Section 8. Also processes materials requisitions for families rehabilitating their homes.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	50	45	28	28
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	15	15	5	5
Maintenance and General Services Staff	1	1	0	0
Information Systems	6	5	5	5
Total, Positions	72	66	38	38

Program Description

Take care of the housing problems for families with limited financial resources, via the establishment, rehabilitation, construction and expansion of communities, in a planned manner and providing them with essential services. Implement programs geared toward promoting the construction of adequate housing, from the design and bidding on the projects to awarding property titles to the homeowners, occupants and lot lessees. Resolve the needs of those families living in deteriorating urban areas or in rural communities, who are interested in actively participating in improving the quality of life of their residents.

Objectives

• To continue to provide the rehabilitation and assistance required for the construction of homes for families living in deteriorated homes or those affected by fire, natural disasters or Court Orders, etc.

• To complete restoration projects of the pluvial systems in the Stella community in Rincn and the Quebrada community in San Lorenzo.

• Promote cooperative housing projects in conjunction with faith-based community organizations and savings and loan cooperatives.

• To acquire the Arenas Procesadas, Santa Cruz SE, and Valdejuli Lpez de Vega properties to award property titles to 139 families.

• Begin construction on 85 homes on existing lots in the municipalities of: Arroyo, Maunabo, Ponce and Guayama.

• Prepare plot plans to acquire 13.95 acres of land in the Pueblo Community in Morovis. Fifty property titles will be awarded and part of the property will be raffled amongst residents of the municipality.

• Appraise and prepare measurement plans, title studies and "As Built" in the Carreras Community in Loza to award 350 titles.

• In conjunction with the municipalities, award property titles to those families that have been requesting them for years.

• Increase funds collected from Low Income Housing Projects and the sale of Commercial Lots.

Customers

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	305	237	161	129
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	5	0	0	0
Maintenance and General Services Staff	75	70	29	29
Information Systems	2	3	1	1
Total, Positions	387	310	191	159

Program Description

Study and evaluate the need for housing in Puerto Rico. Plan different types of alternative development, geared toward attending to the need for housing in Puerto Rico. Identify additional funds via federal proposals that will provide financing for the development, expansion and improvement of the housing programs and projects. Counsel the Secretary, Deputy Secretary and municipalities on everything related to planning for low income housing and special projects.

• Identify and acquire property in the urban centers and urbanized areas, and offer all benefits and incentives of the Department to developers, non-profit or faith-based entities to construct housing project efficient housing to reduce energy and water consumption, and conserve the environment.
  
  

• Continue to orient developers, architects, faith-based and non-profit organizations, municipalities and the general public on the importance of "Universal Design" and "Assisted Living" in the construction of new housing for elders and aging and the handicapped.
  
  

• Execute and institutionalize the Econometric Model for the Demand of Low Income Housing, in conjunction with the Statistical Institute of Puerto Rico, in accordance with Act. No. 209 of August 28, 2003, as amended.
  
  

• Coordinate, produce, gather and publish official Department statistics. Also maintain precise, updated, easily accessible statistics and market data for Puerto Rico and international levels.
  
  

• Continue updating databases for all projects and properties of the Department of Housing in the Geographic Information System (GIS).
  
  

• Provide scientific analysis with the precision afforded by the tools of the Geographic Information System and the database create or administered by other agencies.
  
  

Customers

Department of Housing, Public Housing Administration, municipalities and the private sector

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	27	30	19	19
Maintenance and General Services Staff	1	1	0	0
Total, Positions	28	31	19	19

Program Description

Offers services for the evaluation and processing of personnel transactions, in accordance with Act No. 184 of August 3, 2004, as amended, known as the "Law for the Administration of Human Resources in Public Service", Act No. 45 of February 25, 1998, as amended, known as the "Law for Work Relations for Public Service in Puerto Rico" and other laws. Provides techinical support and advice the internal administration of labor affairs and auxiliary services to the Departament of Housing and the Public Housing Administration.

• Promote an environment of positive interaction, personal satisfaction and institutional commitment, with the goal of reaching a high level of motivation and spirit of service, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Agency's goals and objectives.

• Help the different organizational units in the alignment and operating restructuring processes to ensure compliance with applicable labor laws.

• Promote training and professional development of our working class, which will result in strengthening the quality of service to our citizens.

Customers

Employees of the Department of Housing

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	65	59	30	30
Maintenance and General Services Staff	18	19	11	11
Total, Positions	83	78	41	41

Offer low income individuals the option to live in an adequate, safe home via subsidies for new housing projects or rentals in nearby communities. Promote the economic and social development of the families in public housing projects and special communities, so they can improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency. Join efforts with public and private entities to achieve self-determination as well as revitalizing the process of social reconstruction, promote strategies, coordinate services and facilitate an improved quality of life in public housing projects and communities

• Award 7,700 subsidies for rent and home improvements to the aging low income population, giving them the opportunity to live in a safe and dignified home, as well as a peaceful environment through Act No. 173 of August 31, 1996, as amended, known as the Program for Subsidized Rental and Home Improvement for Low Income Senior Citizens.
  
  

• Award 8,762 vouchers to low income people for a safe, adequate homes, through the approval of subsidies for payment of rent, through free selection of homes.
  
  

• Provide a housing subsidy and support services to 70 handicapped, homeless people through the "Shelter Plus Care" federal grant.
  
  

• Help 80 veterans purchase a home through the "Veteran's Assistance and Housing Support" federal grant.
  
  

• Establish a savings and individual development plan for 15 residents of public housing projects through the federal grant CADI - Savings Account and Individual Development (CADI, Spanish acronym) and contribute to the educational development of the participants in the field of finance to promote a better quality of life.
  
  

• Promote the construction of housing for the benefit of the population classified as Senior Citizens.
  
  

• Coordinate the identification of funds with municipalities, private entities, federal and state agencies, that will allow for expansion of benefits in rental subsidies and the improvement and acquisition of a home for needy people.
  
  

Customers

Low income persons, and persons over 60 years of age.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	241	222	162	129
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	18	17	6	6
Maintenance and General Services Staff	26	23	10	10
Information Systems	4	4	4	4
Total, Positions	289	266	182	149

The adopted consolidated budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 totals $93,004,000. These funds include: $15,652,000 from the Joint Resolution-General Fund, $75,000 in Special Appropriations, $54,631,000 in Federal Grants, $16,000,000 from the State Special Funds, $2,646,000 from Revenues from Internal Sources and $4,000,000 from Other Income.

Operating Expenses reflect a decrease of $2,836,000, when compared to the funds assigned for fiscal year 2010-2011. This is due to a reduction in payroll costs resulting from the implementation of an employee retirement incentive program and other cost control measures.

The funds from the Joint Resolution-General Fund will allow the Department to fulfill the commitments imposed by its Organic Law: to increase the housing inventory, provide a safe and heallthy enviroment for low and middle income individuals and families. Funds from the Special Appropriations, $75,000 will be used to cover the operating costs for the Social Support Network Initiative, which offers assistance with socioeconomic problems that affect families living in disadvantaged communities.

Revenues from Internal Sources are generated from the sale of assets, through the Office of Sale and Adquisition of Properties and are used for operating expenses.

State Special Funds, $10,000,000, are part of the net annual income of the Lottery operation and 10% of the net operatinal income of instant winner games; up to $15,000,000. Use of these funds is determined by Law for the Fund for Susidized Rental an Home improvement for Seniors Citizens (60 or more), Act No. 173 of August 31, 1996. In addition, $1,000,000 stemming from rental payments, lot sales and lands administered by Management and Project Development. The increase of $5,000,000 seen in this income is due to Act No. 170 of November 15, 2010, which established the new distribution of Funds.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers know as Section 8 is the contributing federal program. It is estimated that the Agency will receive the same amount of funds.

To carryout and continue capital improvements, $1,000,000 was included from the State Special Funds. For example the appraisal for awarding the property titles project. The Housing Rehabilitation project will continue attending to emergency situations such as: landslides, fire, overcrowding, floods and Court Orders.

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES BY PROGRAM

Legal Affairs and Litigation Counseling

Housing Planning and Technical Services

Human Resources and Auxiliary Services

Subsidized housing and community development