Housing Commission

City of Falls Church Housing Commission MINUTES 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: December 8, 2020 PLACE OF MEETING: Virtual MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chair Jordan Hicks at 6:32 PM THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Jordan Hicks, Vice Chair Dana Lewis Joshua Shokoor Akida Rouzi Peter Davis Planning Commission Liaison Kristina Martinez Student Liaison Meredith Anderson Jessie Cummings FCHC Liaison Jillian Kendrick Thom Vaccaro Guest: Council Liaison Phil Duncan- Resident Letty Hardi Brian Bowden Debbie Hiscott Marc Davis Minutes from the November 2, 2020 meeting were Approved Proceedings: Meeting and Roll called to order – Chair Hicks at 6:35 PM Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice – Staff Lewis Approval of Minutes – Vice Chair Hicks One motion to approve and seconded. Amazon Reach Preliminary Project Description and Overview – Staff Lewis • Met with preliminary team about the homeownership program (homeownership and buy- down extension of covenants for ADUs specifically the Reed Building) • Partner with non-profit (National Housing Partnership/Falls Church Housing Corporation) to serve approximately 18 households – purchase market rate for sale housing to sell to city households whose programs meet the first-time homebuyer criteria • Sell at a lower rate for qualified buyers who meet the 50%-80% AMI (people who work/live in the city have the highest priority) • Up to $20k per property (some single-family detached townhouses and mostly condominiums for approximately 18 units) • To be turned in by December 31, 2020 • Joint letter to be completed by Tuesday December 15, 2020 COVID Vulnerable Populations Update – Staff Lewis • Federal CARES act to be used by December 30 - CDBG funds to be used by June. Arlington will be sending back funds that we can use towards rent (expecting a second round of CARES fund pending federal legislation) • As of December 8th, 309 rental checks have been provided to landlords • Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development received grant from CARES act to help past due water/utility bills – refer city residents to them • 5 day pay or quit notice to become 14 day pay or quit notice • City shelter will not open this year due to social distancing concerns and lack of volunteers • Provided food to 58 persons, 45 gift cards for Thanksgiving, utilities provided to 23 residents and gift cards will be sent out for Christmas • 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 has been one eviction but was not COVID related • Outreach continues with regards to services available Approve FY 2020 ADU Sales Prices – Staff Lewis • Shared the calculated rents for FY 2020 (2 motions to approve from commission) • Shared the revised 2019 For Sale Affordable Dwelling Units (2 motions to approve from commission) • Possible revision to ADU ordinance? Nominations and Election of New Housing Commission Chair – Vice Chair Hicks • Congratulations Joshua Shokoor! Meeting Adjourned – 8:24 PM