Being named a commissioner is a great opportunity to serve your community, and with your appointment you have assumed significant responsibilities. The Board of Commissioners is the legally and financially responsible governing body of a PHA and the first line of accountability for the PHA’s performance.
Set and champion the mission of the PHA
Make strategic decisions to ensure the financial solvency of the agency
Speak up when concerns arise
Monitor the agency’s ability to meet statutory, regulatory, and contractual obligations
Assure PHAs meet obligations on audit recommendations
Approve internal controls to safeguard the agency’s assets
Safeguard the financial integrity of the PHA, preventing fraud, waste, mismanagement, and abuse
Approve, review, and monitor budgets, contracts, and other financial documents
Conduct monthly reviews of budgets with actual expenses and revenues
Ensure ethical, legal, and effective work performance
Keep informed of subsidized housing industry rules and regulations
Conduct and maintain an accurate record of board proceedings
Follow open meeting requirements
The agency’s history, mission, programs, financials, and strategic plan
Agency policies and procedures
Agency-owned developments and properties
Board and committee meeting processes, including open meeting requirements and confi- dentiality
Federal and state laws and regulations
QUICK REFERENCE
The commissioner’s role is governance – establishing policy and ensuring oversight. The execu- tive director’s role is management. Commissioners and executive directors need to be cognizant of one another’s roles without overstepping or undermining the other. Specifically, the executive director:
RESIDENTS: AN ESSENTIAL VOICE
All PHAs must have a Resident Advisory Board (RAB) and Resident Commissioners. These voices can provide an important perspective on the most pressing issues facing the community of residents.
You should also get out, walk around these communities, and get to know the people you serve.
Keeps commissioners informed
Develops, implements, and oversees the operating budgets
Ensures compliance with all federal laws and HUD guidelines
Manages the day-to-day operations of the PHA
Hires, evaluates, trains, and terminates staff
Executes board-approved policies
The executive team at an authority includes more than the executive director or chief ex-
ecutive officer. Depending on the size of the PHA, there may also be other executive staff. These staff members are hired by the executive director, and are concerned with the day-to-day man- agement of the PHA.
HUD interprets the laws handed down by Congress, developing regulations to guide PHAs. These regulations are distilled in the Annual Contributions Contract (ACC), a legally-binding con- tract between HUD and the PHA. HUD is a resource for PHAs. HUD guidebooks, notices, and handbooks are important tools to guide your oversight. The PHA may also contact the HUD Field Office, Regional Office, and Headquarters for resources and support.