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 10, 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____ Akida Rouzi _x__ Peter Davis _____ _ __ 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___ Brian Bowden ___X____ Minutes from the October 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. Broad and Washington Development Project – Scott Adams and Simone Pass Tucker, Developers from Insight Property Group, LLC, gave a presentation on the project. The comprehensive overview detailed voluntary concessions and the affordable housing that would be included in the property. There are 21 proposed affordable units including: efficiencies, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms. The market rate units will include work from home units that will include some outfitting for an office. Commissioner comments:  Is it possible for some of the ADU units to be the work from home?  What are other voluntary concessions that the City and developer would be willing to negotiate/trade?  Could we increase the percentage of ADUs in the project?  The Commission will send comments to Staff Lewis, she will share with the group and Hicks will prepare a memo from the Commission to submit. COVID Vulnerable Populations Update – Staff Lewis gave an update on what the City has done for vulnerable populations affected by COVID. Fifty-seven residents are being provided rental assistance this month and there have been no evictions reported. Outreach continues with regards to services available. Housing Preservation Report/Amazon Funding Project Brainstorm – Follow Up– Staff Lewis shared that the staff is considering a project which would include the City purchasing housing units and selling them at an affordable rate. Currently there are 10 properties in the City below $700,000 for sale. Commission liked the idea as it would help people to build equity. And also suggested the following:  Proposed using the funds to convert ADUS that are expiring.  Could we buy down affordable market rate units (Broadfalls or Merrill House)?  Provide housing grants for eligible residents where the funds would go directly to the landlord. This would be similar to a housing voucher program. Is this doable? Approve FY 2020 ADU Rents – Staff Lewis shared the calculated rents for FY 2020 and the Commission approved. Jordan made the emotion and Kristina approved. Adjourn meeting adjourned at 8 pm.