Hearing Officer Services

I. INTRODUCTION

The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) was designated as a public housing agency by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1971. OCHA administers HUD rental assistance programs as the Housing Assistance Division within the organizational structure of Orange County Community Resources and Housing and Community Development and Homeless Prevention.

Under the direction of a Division Manager, OCHA currently provides rental assistance for over 12,000 households residing within thirty-one cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County, excluding the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana. OCHA assists a mix of family, individuals, elderly, disabled and households with special needs.

In accordance with HUD regulations (24 CFR 982) and OCHA’s Administrative Plan, under certain conditions assisted households have the right to appeal via the informal hearing process. This process provides assisted households a hearing/review on complaints regarding OCHA’s action, or failure to act, in such a way that affects their rights under the program. OCHA’s Administrative Plan is available for review at http://www.ochousing.org/docs (located under Operational Documents, click on “2024 Administrative Plan

1-23-2024”).

Informal hearings are conducted by qualified individuals from outside the agency who are not officers or employees of the OCHA. Hearing Officers shall have prior experience with legal procedure, application of the law, and familiarity with the Code of Federal Regulations. Hearing Officers shall be able to take accurate notes regarding the hearing and summarize the proceeding and formulate a detailed opinion as a result of that hearing.

In order to provide the requisite hearings, the Housing Authority requires the services of Hearing Officers to conduct informal hearings and render decisions based upon the preponderance of evidence introduced at each hearing to determine whether the Housing Authority’s decisions are in accordance with law, regulations and policy. Along with other selected Hearing Officers, Contractor’s name is placed in a pool, from which their services are rotated on an “as needed” basis, to conduct informal hearings. No guarantee of a minimum number of assignments is either given or implied.

1. 1. Description of Work: Contractor will perform the services as described herein for each hearing:

1. 1. 1. Contractor shall provide services as necessary and mutually convenient between the Parties.

1. 1. 1. Contractor shall preside and independently conduct informal hearings in accordance with HUD regulations and OCHA Administrative Policy. The Contractor will receive testimony and evidence presented by assisted households, OCHA staff, witnesses, and if applicable, District Attorney staff and/or legal representatives. As needed, Contractor will ask relevant questions and consider evidence presented without regard to admissibility under the rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings. Contractor shall regulate the conduct during proceedings to allow equal opportunity for all participants to present their positions and arguments. (Informal hearings are generally scheduled to be conducted within a maximum of two hours.)