Limited English Speakers

We want to communicate effectively with all of our customers.    See directory below for specific language help at BHA.

English..............Lacy Underwood                    510-981-5483

Tagalog...............Jesy Yturralde                      510-981-5488

Language for People with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) can be a barrier to accessing important benefits or services, understanding and exercising important rights, complying with applicable responsibilities, or understanding other information provided by the HCV program. In certain circumstances, failure to ensure that People with LEP can effectively participate in or benefit from federally-assisted programs and activities may violate the prohibition under Title VI against discrimination on the basis of national origin. This part incorporates the “Notice of Guidance to Federal Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons,” published December 19, 2003 in the Federal Register and HUD’s 2007 “Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons (Notice Jan, 22, 2007) BHA will take affirmative steps to communicate with people who need services or information in a language other than English. These persons will be referred to as People with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Those with LEP do not speak English as their primary language and have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English. For the purposes of the Administrative Plan, those with LEP are HCV applicants and participants, individuals who could potentially be served by BHA, and family members of applicants and participants. In order to determine the level of access needed by those with LEP, BHA will balance the following four factors: (1) the number or proportion of those with LEP eligible to be served or likely to be encountered by the Housing Choice Voucher program; (2) the frequency with which those with LEP come into contact with the program; (3) the nature and importance of the program, activity, or service provided by the program to people’s lives; and (4) the resources available to the PHA and costs. Balancing these four factors will ensure meaningful access by those with LEP to critical services while not imposing undue burdens on BHA.

BHA Policy
In order to comply with written-translation obligations, BHA will take the following steps:
BHA will provide written translations of vital documents into Spanish, Chinese and Mandarin, as requested and as BHA’s budget allows. BHA will provide oral translation where reasonable for applicants with LEP and participants who speak other languages.