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: October 13, 2020 PLACE OF MEETING: Virtual MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chair Jordan Hicks at _____6:35____ pm THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Jordan Hicks, Vice Chair ___X__ Dana Lewis _X_ Joshua Shokoor __ X____ Ripal Patel ___ __ Peter Davis _____x_ __ Planning Commission Liaison Kristina Martinez ___X__ Meredith Anderson __X__ Student Liaison FCHC Liaison Jessie Cummings ______x____ Thom Vaccaro____ Jillian Kendrick _______x____ Council Liaison Guest: Letty Hardi _ __X___ Phil Duncan- Resident ___x___ Minutes from the September 13, 2020 meeting were ____Approved_______ Proceedings: Meeting and Roll called to order by Chair Hicks at ____6:35___ pm Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice by – Staff Lewis Approval of Minutes – Vice Chair Hicks One motion to approve and seconded. Housing Commission Orientation for new members and representatives – Vice Chair Hicks led the group in giving introductions and discussing the by-laws and mission of the Housing Commission. New members were invited to ask questions. Staff Lewis and Commissioner Shokoor gave some background on projects the group has worked on. The bi- annual report was also distributed. Commission members COVID Vulnerable Populations Update Staff Lewis gave an update on what the City has done for vulnerable populations affected by COVID. Fifty-five residents are being provided rental assistance this month and there have been no evictions reported. Outreach continues with regards to services available. ADDITIONAL CARES ACT CDBG FUNDING – Public Hearing Staff Lewis shared that the City is receiving a round 2 of federal HUD CARES ACT CDBG funding in the amount of $63,530. The City is recommending to use those funds to pay rent which is the highest need for those affected by COVID in the City. The Falls Church Community Services Council, FCCSC, is a FY 2021 grantee that provides rent and utilities. City staff can make referrals to the agency. After discussion, a vote was taken and the commission voted to award the new funds to FCCSC. This is FY 2021 funding that must be spend before June 2021. Housing Preservation Report Executive Summary – First Look Staff Lewis presented the group the executive summary of the Housing Affordability report which was prepared by the consultant, National Housing Trust. The full report will be provided the end of the week to the Commission and a presentation will be at the City Council work session on 10-19. Four commissions including the Housing Commission are invited (Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority and Human Services Advisory Committee along with the commissions.) Commissioners will all vote for their top three recommendations and send them to Lewis who will compile and then send to the Chair. The Chair will then speak on behalf of the group at the presentation. Tenant Information Site (tenants@fallschurchva.gov) Staff Lewis gave an update the IT has created the email address. Tenants can email the site and they will get a page of questions and answers to common request. More will come in the future. Commissioner Davis is available to assist. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. Adjourned –____8:30_____ pm