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: January 13, 2015 PLACE OF MEETING: Oak Room, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: ___Tori McKinney AT ____6:43 PM____ THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Julio Idrobo, Chair _______ Dana Lewis: ______X______ Tori McKinney Vice Chair ___X____ Kevin Denton: _____X____ Don Brobst ___ X____ Nancy Vincent:___________ M.T. Gutmanis __X__ Council Liaison FCHC Liaison Mary Beth Connelly – Council Liaison __ Thomas Vaccaro ____X_ ______ Visitor FCPS Student Representative Camille Borga ______ Laura Hicks Kathleen Louisa TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Approval of Minutes: The approval of minutes for December 9 were approved. Commissioner Gutmanis made the motion and Commissioner Brobst seconded. Apartment Rent Increases/Protecting Affordability – Staff Denton A discussion was had concerning rising rents at market rate apartment buildings. Tax abatement, HUD exception rents, formation of tenant groups, and rent freezes were all discussed as possible tools for maintaining affordability. Status of Housing Commission Members – Tori McKinney Commissioner McKinney inquired about the status of Housing Commission Applicant Tommy Goodwin. Staff Lewis advised the group that everything should be finalized by next week. Commissioner Brobst inquired about his reaffirmation status on the Housing Commission. Staff Denton agreed to follow up with the necessary parties. Sprague Liaison Reports – All Commissioners and FCHC Tori McKinney – Discussed huge interest in City property owners inquiring about placing homes on the market. Thom Vaccaro – Advised that more than 40 members re-signed to be continuing contributors and wanted to get them involved. Staff Lewis – Miller House Group Home RFP is out; Consolidated Plan is being completed; HSAC is seeking 2 additional members Housing Update – Staff Denton Staff Denton – Economic Development Voluntary Concessions boilerplate document is being created for ADU Developers MEETING ADJOURNED AT: ______8:16 PM_____________________ SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: _____Kevin Denton________________ 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).