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: December 11, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: The Oak Room, East Wing, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Steve Sprague at 6:40 (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_____ Phil Duncan __x__ M.T. Gutmanis _____X______ Jaymar Joseph- FC Housing Corporation ___ TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Approval of Minutes: The approval of the minutes of the November 12, 2013 Housing Commission meeting have been postponed until the December meeting. New Business: • Timeline/Brainstorming - Commission planning for 2014 – Chair Sprague held a discussion regarding brainstorming for the year. An idea was to possibly to hold a public forum so that the word gets out about affordable housing. Old Business • CDBG/HOME Approval of 2015 Recommendations – Commissioner McKinney gave an overview of how she and staff Lewis presented the CDBG recommendations to council. Recommendations were approved easily and there was not much discussion. Falls Church Housing Corporation Executive Director,  Jaymar Joseph, also spoke in support of the CDBG process early in the council meeting and introduced himself to council. • Commissioner and Falls Church Housing Corporation Roundtable Updates - Commissioner Gutmanis shared that things seem to be going well at Merrill House. Commissioner Idrobo would like to see us be a catalyst for new projects. Especially in West Falls Church. Perhaps we could put affordable housing on the new ten acres and we are getting from Fairfax County. Also we should make recommendations on more lights in the City to make things safer. Commissioner Brobst would like to see the Commission do more to educate the Planning Commission and the new Council on affordable housing issues. He would also like to see us coordinate better with them. McKinney shared that her “Rock the House” promotional event in November was successful. The housing market also is remaining strong. Older condos are selling. • Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Lottery- Broadway Update – Staff Lewis gave an update. On the lottery there was a winner which is a two person household. This household has been on the Certified Buyers List (CBL) for quite some time. The Commission asked how many people were in the lottery. They would like to see additional outreach done for future lotteries. Let’s think about where the people are who would be interested in rental and homeownership? Commission members are willing to assist with the outreach. Staff Report • CDBG/HOME Update – Staff Lewis gave an update on CDBG programs. • Virginia Governors Housing Conference Update – Staff Lewis gave an overview of workshops attended. She will bring handouts to the next meeting. • Miller House Request For Information Update – Staff Lewis share that the Deadline for submissions will be January 14th at 5:00pm. The goal is to get ideas for possible public uses at the former Miller House property. • First Time Homebuyer Program Update – Staff Lewis shared that we continue to do outreach. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 7:30 pm SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Dana Lewis