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: March 11, 2014 PLACE OF MEETING: The Oak Room, East Wing, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chair Sprague at 6:37 pm. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Steve Sprague, Chair: ___ ___ Dana Lewis: ____X__ Julio Idrobo, Vice-Chair: ____X___ Sue Richter: _________ Donald Brobst: ___X____ Kevin Denton: _______ Tori McKinney:_______ M.T. Gutmanis :___X____ Jaymar Joseph, Falls Church Housing Corporation Liaison: ___ OTHERS PRESENT: Marybeth Connelly, City Council Liaison Lindy Hockenberry, Planning Commission TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Julio Idrobo, the Vice Chair, led the meeting as the Chair was not present because of a prior commitment. Approval of Minutes: On the motion of Commissioner Brobst, seconded by Commissioner Gutmanis the minutes of the February 11, 2014 meeting were approved. Miller House RFI Submittal received – Staff Lewis Staff Lewis described the Department of Justice settlement with the State that addresses how many residents may be housed in a group home. The training centers in the state are also closing, including the one in Fairfax. Housing staff is taking the Request for Information and turning it into a Request for Proposal. There are also affordable Housing Fund dollars available for this project. Outreach for Affordable Housing – Staff Lewis and Vice-Chair Idrobo Commissioner Idrobo led a discussion about how to conduct more expansive outreach to possible clients which included the following: • Chamber of Commerce – Staff and the commission should visit them. You can get the agenda from Sally Cole. The board meets the second Tuesday of the month. They also have a luncheon every third Tuesday of the month. We can send them information through the mail or electronically so they can send to their members. Four times a year they also do commentary in the news press. Perhaps they can mention our programs? • Tax Analyst – Meet with them again and make sure they are getting information for employees • Kaiser - Meet with them again and make sure they are getting information for employees • School social workers – Meet with the two of them to make sure they are aware of housing programs. There are two of them (one full time and two part time). • Social media – expand this o Make use of a Facebook push o Post testimonials on the City’s Facebook page o Use Twitter as it gets close to the lottery date • Falls Church Common Place – This is an online forum which would be good to put information • Guest Commentary in news press – Do an article perhaps once a month on the need for affordable housing and programs available • Farmers market – As it gets closer to new units becoming available, set up a table at the farmers market. • Memorial Day – Display information at the City table on Memorial Day • Use of Terms and Pictures – Don’t use the term “Affordable Dwelling Unit” as this means nothing to the public. When publicizing programs use terms like “your new home” and “housing that is affordable”. Dumb it down and use lots of pictures There was a good discussion held and it was suggested that there be a timeline prepared to decide when the best time to use each of these approaches is. Feasibility of Student Housing Commission Liaison – Commissioner Brobst Lindy Hockenbery shared that the school is actually already planning to do this. She will get us more information on this as she gets it. Staff Brobst shared that every commission should have a liaison and they should get volunteer credit hours for it. Ideas on how to reach students include: • Visit classrooms • Prepare an application • Talk with the City Manager about the process • Have a liaison from the Commission to the schools. It was suggested by Idrobo that Commissioner Brobst do this. Housing Expo March 29 2014 Springfield, VA – Staff Lewis The 2014 Northern Virginia Housing Expo is coming and will showcase both homeownership and rental opportunities and resources throughout Northern Virginia. The event will be held from 10 am to 3 pm and will feature workshops and exhibits. Commissioner Idrobo shared that he will be volunteering to translate. All are invited to attend. Affordable Housing Fund Balance – Staff Lewis - The current affordable Housing fund balance is $429,745. The money set aside for the First Time Homebuyers Program is included in this. A discussion was held and commissioner Brobst shared that he would like to see a possible sunshine clause on the use of the funds if they are used outside of the city. This would mean that if there is not proof that City residents are being served, then after a period of time the money would have to be given back. The group asked the guidelines be brought to the next meeting along with the language from the Affordable Housing Fund policy that shows the funds can be spent outside of the City. This needs to be voted on at the next meeting to include in the Affordable Housing fund guidelines/policy. Updates – Commissioners and FCHC Commissioner Gutmanis - Rents seemed to go down at Merrill House over the fall. Word is the renovation from owners AIMCO will not happen until January. They will also be adding a dog area and a picnic play area. Commissioner McKinney – Business is picking up. There are currently four affordable condos on the market, two at Winter Hill and two at Falls Plaza. There are more listings popping up. Commissioner Brobst – He suggest that the proposed sunshine clause for The Affordable Housing Fund should also apply to the First Time Homebuyers program. CDBG/HOME Update CDBG/HOME Update - This will take place at the next meeting. Housing Programs Update - Northgate still has no opening date. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: _______8:10 pm_________________________________ SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: ________Dana Lewis______________________________ The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703 248-5005, (TTY 711). DATE: ______________________________ MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: PLEASE SIGN IN FOR THE RECORD. Thank you. 1 16 2 17 3 18 4 19 5 20 6 21 7 22 8 23 9 24 10 25 11 26 12 27 13 28 14 29 15 30