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: October 18, 2016 PLACE OF MEETING: Laurel Room, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chairman Idrobo at 7:15 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Julio Idrobo, Chair ___X__ Dana Lewis __X_ Tori McKinney Vice Chair __X__ M.T. Gutmanis __ ___ Council Liaison Don Brobst ___x__ Letty Hardi – Council _Liasion___ _ Planning Commission Liaison FCHC Liaison _ Lindy Hockenberry ______ ___ Thom Vaccaro__ ____ Student Representative Camille Borja __________ New Business: Amending the ADU Policy - The Commission discussed when to amend the ADU policy to increase the amount of units from developers to 6 percent. The discussion was whether to take this to council now or to wait until 2017. It was decided that it was best to wait and present along with update of comprehensive plan. Presentation of one HOME application: 1. Homestretch Inc. – Request $26,000 CDBG (public service) Presenter: Christopher Fay HOME funding is requested to provide housing rental assistance and services to five families self -sufficiency, financial stability and permanent affordable housing will be achieved for all families. The objective is to move families from crisis to self-sufficiency. Suggestions and questions from Commissioners: Requested an assessment of last year’s funds and impact. Five homeless families are housed closed to the office since they need special attention. Normally participants  remain in the program for two years and leave with the goal of self-sufficiency and graduate. Families are referred to Homestretch by shelters and currently 50% of the participants have a disability of some sort. 65% of the families come from domestic violence. Over the years all participants that have used HOME funds have graduated from the program with a 90% success rate. Has a study been done in the last three to four years on the outcomes? They’ve done third party outcome studies in the past by George Mason and George Washington University’s to determine how well graduated families do two to five years after leaving the program. These studies were done at no charge which is unheard of. The studies all confirmed that 95% that graduated remain safely housed and employed. Currently there are no other programs like Homestretch. The Commissioners wanted to know if they could do a longer study and he was not sure. They are filling a need that rapid rehousing does not. The wrap around services helps to make their graduates successful. Are there other agencies trying to use Homestretch as a model? Chris has invited other agencies to use outcome based studies to tell their story. The Commission shared ways that Homestretch should get their story out to the community including attending a council meeting and putting a guest commentary in the News Press. END OF PUBLIC HEARING New Business: There was a discussion of a final funding recommendation for HOME/Homestretch request. The decision was that as they are an excellent program and ranking was high they should get their full request of $26,000. The next regular Housing Commission meeting scheduled for November 11, 2016 will be rescheduled for November 1, 2016. at 6:30 p.m. This is because Nov 8 is a voting day for the presidential election. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 9:00 p.m. 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).