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: February 13, 2018 PLACE OF MEETING: Oak Room, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chairman Idrobo at 6:35 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Julio Idrobo, Chair _x__ __ Dana Lewis __x_ Tori McKinney, Vice Chair __ ___ Council Liaison M.T. Gutmanis __x ___ Letty Hardi – __ x_ _ Don Brobst ___ _ Planning Commission Liaison Brenda Heffernan __x ___ Lindy Hockenberry __ _ FCHC Liaison _ Student Liaison Thom Vaccaro__ _x __ Katherine O’Neil ___x_ Visitors Joshua Shokoor __x___ Jordan Hicks ___x___ The meeting was facilitated by Chair Julio Idrobo. Approval of Minutes The minutes for the January 9, 2018 meeting were approved. Sprague Award for Affordable Housing Advocacy Debrief The presentation went really well. The reception was well attended and had good representation. At the council meeting Nick Benton from the News Press asked Christopher Fay to write an article on affordable housing. This will go well with our series. Idrobo also attended the Council retreat on Feb 10 where they spent a good portion discussing affordable housing. Housing Article Progress Christopher Fay’s article will be in February and will more than likely discuss homelessness in the City. Tori McKinney’s article on homeownership will now run in March. As a reminder the order that was discussed is below and all articles should be 800 words. 1. January - Intro to the series – Letty Hardy and Affordable Rental Housing – Joshua Shokoor 2. February – Affordable Homeownership - Tori McKinney 3. March – Millennials and Housing – Don Brobst  4. April – Fair Housing – Brenda Heffernan 5. May – Senior Housing- Thom Vaccaro 6. June – Importance of Affordable Housing and Conclusion - Julio Idrobo Affordable Housing Policy Staff Lewis will hold a meeting with the Chair of the work group, Craig Cheney, from the Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC). Tori McKinney will serve as Vice Chair. Staff will share information from that meeting at the next commission meeting. All commissioners are asked to please provide the names of the persons they were to suggest serve. We are still in need of a business person, a mortgage lender and a senior tenant in the City. Housing Commission Annual Report Commission talked about how this has been pushed back but needs to be completed. The Fields Tax Credit Expiration 2026 Housing Staff met with Wesley Housing Corporation, the non-profit developer that has the first right of refusal to purchase the Fields upon expiration of credits. This represents 96 units of affordable housing in the City. Paul Brown form Wesley has been invited to come to the next Commission meeting and discuss the support that they will need from the City. Support for Legislation Making Discrimination on Basis of Source of Income Illegal Liaison Hardi checked and saw that this legislation did not pass the general assembly. Commission members stated they are in support. Broad and Washington Human Services Advisory Council Comments Staff Lewis shared the letter that HSAC prepared making recommendations on ADUS to be provided in this development. Council agreed with most of it except for the portion that discussed asking for units at 40% of AMI at a possible loss of the amount. They do not want to lose the amount of units that we receive. They do not want to concede on this. Sprague Liaison Reports Gutmanis – She inquired if the City has heard anything from the proposal that AMICO submitted about development. The City has not heard anything. Heffernan - Nothing to report Katherine – nothing to report The group adjourned at 8:30 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).