Housing Commission

MINUTES HOUSING COMMISSION PURPOSE OF MEETING: The five-member Commission is appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The Housing Commission maintains awareness of housing needs and opportunities, including affordable housing; proposes housing policy initiatives and changes; investigates fair housing complaints and conciliates these complaints; mediates conflicts relating to the Virginia Residential Landlord & Tenant Act and offers reconciliatory services in conflicts relating to other housing laws. DATE OF MEETING: September 10, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: The Oak Room, East Wing, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Steve Sprague at 7:45 (pm) THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Steve Sprague, Chair ___x___ Dana Lewis: ______X___ Julio Idrobo, Vice-Chair ___x___ Donald Brobst __X_____ Council Tori McKinney __X_____ M.T. Gutmanis _____X______ Jaymar Joseph- FC Housing Corporation X South Washington Street Tour The Housing Commission members joined the Human Services Advisory Commission (HSAC) on a walking tour of the South Washington Street area led by Jim Snyder, Director of the City’s Planning Department. Councilman Phil Duncan joined the commission on the tour. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the July 9, 2013 were not available for approval. New Business: • CDBG process update and Schedule review – Staff Lewis passed out copies of the 2013 CDBG process calendar. Commission members were reminded that they would be receiving their applications for review on the week of September 20th. Old Business • Miller House Update – Staff Lewis shared that the City is in the process of developing a Request for Information to get ideas for non-profits and developers on what should be built on the site. • “The Kensington” Assisted Living – Staff Lewis passed out the comments that were provided to the planning department by HSAC. • S. Washington Street Area Plan- Follow-up – Steve Sprague, Chair lead the group in a discussion of what would be submitted to the Planning Department as comments from the Housing Commission. The group voted to take the wording from the July Commission meeting notes and use that for comments. The group asked Staff Lewis to submit these on the Commission’s behalf. • Commissioner and Falls Church Housing Corporation Roundtable Updates The group was introduced to Jaymar Joseph the new Director of the Falls Church Housing Corporation. He shared his background in development and that he was happy to have come to Falls Church. Staff Report • CDBG/HOME Update – Staff Lewis shared that we look forward to the CDBG process beginning. Habitat hopes to be finished with their project by the end of the month (September). • First Time Homebuyer Program Update – Staff Lewis shared that there is possible additional buyer looking to use the funds. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 9:00 pm SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Dana Lewis