Housing Commission

MINUTES HOUSING COMMISSION City of Falls Church 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: November 12, 2019 PLACE OF MEETING: Oak Room – City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chair Brenda Heffernan at 6:30pm THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Brenda Heffernan, Chair _ X__ Dana Lewis _X_ Jordan Hicks, Vice Chair _X_ Nancy Vincent ___ M.T. Gutmanis _X_ _ Planning Commission Liaison Joshua Shokoor __X__ Peter Davis _X_ __ Student Liaison FCHC Liaison Kaylee Stillwagoner _ _ Thom Vaccaro____ Guest Council Liaison Letty Hardi _ X__ Minutes approved from the October meeting with one change to add Pete Davis to commission members present. Also add that Pete Davis and Breda Heffernan attended the City Council meeting on the Commission’s behalf that evening. Proceedings: Meeting called to order by Chair Heffernan at 6:35 PM The Fields - There have been complaints about mice. Annual Report – Chair Heffernan will work on draft. CDBG and HOME FY 2021 Funding Priorities Hearing – The group discussed and took a motion to fund all FY 2020 grantees in FY 2021 at the same level. Commissioner Heffernan recused herself from the discussion and vote. If these is additional funding or less funding, then this will be applied across the board to the four grantees which include:  • Homestretch Incorporated – Transitional housing for formerly homeless persons • Community Services Council – Funding for emergency rent and utilities • Mt Daniel Elementary – Funding for Parents to attend ESL classes while children receive childcare • FCHC, Virginia Community Development Corporation – Completion of rehabilitation of Decks Project Staff Lewis will ask grantees to provide a synopsis of projects as there was no RFP process this year and the Housing Commission is choosing to fund grantees that meet the City needs as outlined in the City’s CDBG Action Plan. Guidance was given by Arlington County CDBG staff that this is an allowable process. ADU Sales Prices and Rents for Approval for FY 2020 - The Commission had a discussion and decided they would not be able to approve until staff made some changes. These included writing out the way the numbers are decided. Staff should also determine where people can pay more than 30% but less than 40% of their income for rent. This should also be discussed for next year. Staff will work to make sure the way the rents are determined more clear. Commissioners will also forward to the group research on how other localities make this determination. Staff Lewis will determine how the group can get back together and approve. She may have to talk to the City Clerk. They must be approved before December. Housing Update - The City is working on a scope of work to hire a Housing Consultant to review the City’s cash in lieu policy and make recommendations. Staff will share the draft scope at the next meeting. Next month the Commission will host its holiday get together and go out to celebrate MT Gutmanis and her service with the Commission. The group decided that we will go to the Dominion Wine Bar and restaturant like last year. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.