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: April 10, 2018 PLACE OF MEETING: Winter Hill Apartments – Board Room MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Vice Chair McKinney at 6:35 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff , Chair _ _ __ Dana Lewis __x_ Tori McKinney, Vice Chair __ _x__ Council Liaison M.T. Gutmanis __X___ Letty Hardi – __ x_ _ Don Brobst __ _ _ Planning Commission Liaison Brenda Heffernan __x ___ Lindy Hockenberry _x_ _ FCHC Liaison _ Student Liaison Thom Vaccaro__ _x __ Katherine O’Neil ___x_ Visitors Joshua Shokoor __x___ Jordan Hicks ___x___ Paul Brown _______ Debra Roth ___x__ ADU LOTTERY A lottery was held for two units at Person Square Apartments. Housing Commission members pulled one name as one winner and one for alternate. One winner of a unit was already present. The regular meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Tori McKinney. Approval of Minutes The minutes for the April 10, 2018 meeting were approved. Housing Articles Progress – The next article will be on Fair Housing by Commissioner Brenda Heffernan. Affordable Housing Policy Workgroup Update – Commissioner McKinney shared that the first meeting of the workgroup was held on April 3. The Chair of the group is Craig Cheney and McKinney is the vice Chair. There was a diverse group of participants representing many sections of people who need affordable housing and experts. The first meeting gave an overview of the need in the City and outlined the purpose of the group. There will be three more meetings. The goal is to have an update completed by the end of June. Housing Commission Annual Report – This is a task that was left by the former Chair and includes an overview of past Commission activities for the past two years. It only needs to be a page and may be brief. McKinney and Heffernan agreed to prepare it. Staff Lewis will provide slides and information to include. The Fields Preservation and Tax Credit – Paul Brown, Vice president, from Wesley Housing came to talk about needs related to when tax credits run out at the Fields Apartments. The Fields has 96 units and they (Wesley) do not have the right to buy out. They are a co-partner with Kettler and AIG. Brown also shared information about the Lewinsville Senior Housing Project in Mclean which will take housing vouchers and incomes at 50% AMI. Council Meeting to Recognize Past Chair Julio Idrobo – a good date to do this would be on April 23rd as the Commission will probably be doing an activity for CDBG Week and Fair Housing. April CDBG & Fair Housing Month Activities – The group will try to do a project with Mount Daniel Elementary. All Commissioners are encouraged to attend. Staff Lewis will arrange the project and get the information out. There will also be two resolutions scheduled to happen at the council meeting on April 23rd. Insight Broad & Washington project- There was a discussion about using cash in lieu from this project to build the affordable Housing Fund for large scale projects. Affordable housing also needs to be in the budget. The group decided to keep this as running item on the agenda. Sprague Liaison Reports – Commissioner Gutmanis – Reminded all that there were four options in the past for AIMCO redevelopment. Commissioner McKinney – The market is good. There is a Winter Hill townhome for $399,000 on Virginia Ave. There are a lot of sales at Winter Hill. A mortgage there is $1,500 and the condo fee is about $300. 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).