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: October 12, 2021 PLACE OF MEETING: Virtual MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Joshua Shokoor at 7:14 PM THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Planning Commission Liaison Joshua Shokoor Andrea Caumont Jordan Hicks, Vice Chair Letty Hardi Peter Davis Guests Meredith Anderson Kristina Martinez Staff Hannah Jordan Dana Lewis Heidi Amaya – The Fields Apartments Noha Osman Emma Calvert – Kettler Management/The Fields Nancy Vincent Minutes from the September 14, 2021 meeting were approved Proceedings: Meeting and Roll called to order – Chair Joshua Shokoor (7:18 PM) Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice – Staff Lewis Approval of Minutes – Chair Joshua Shokoor One motion to approve by Chair Joshua Shokoor and seconded by Meredith Anderson Debrief The Fields Tenant Meeting /Next Steps – Chair Joshua Shokoor (7:20) ● Invite Kettler Management to City council meeting to come speak on issues at the Fields ● Most residents are at 60% AMI since they’re a tax credit property ● Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Matthew Whitfield attorney, provided information on tenant rights and other concerns however they were not able to provide legal advice due to confidentiality issues ● Issues have been recently brought to their attention, however there was entire staff turnover ● Five business days to address mold issues, follow up with Kettler Management to get updates on progress ● There has been proactive outreach from Kettler Management ● How are upgrades, such as carpets and appliances, handled? They make sure appliances are in working conditions, otherwise they are replaced or repaired ● Operating on strict cash flow so it’s difficult to replace appliances/carpets however cleaning of carpets is offered at renewal ● Emergency rent assistance will increase as rent increases Amazon Grant Request UPDATE – Staff Dana Lewis (7:56)  Grant submitted September 30, 2021  Had a meeting with Virginia Housing on Amazon 2 grant, working on agreement (homeownership)  Repayment in the future will consist of refinancing the $2.8 million to the EDA  Virginia Housing Community Impact Grant covers the cost of rehab. Other options are Virginia Housing and Community Development (VHCD) or the future CDBG funds  The goal is long term preservation of all 80 existing units as committed affordable units  $3.75 million available for the Amazon 3-5 Grant  Non-profit partner is a specific requirement for the grant  Housing Commission to write a letter of support for the grant Affordable Housing Goals Discussion Continuation – Commissioner Pete Davis (7:58)  Falls Church set an affordable living policy in 2021 to preserve and increase the city's affordable housing stock.  Almost all the goals were missed, with the top line goal missing by 309 units (a decrease in 159 units from 2021).  We should set a new goal for 2032 (or perhaps 2042) to help jumpstart council and community interest in increasing affordable housing.   We can't just set one single number as a goal, because we need to take into account AMI, unit size (1 bedroom or 2+ bedroom), and rent vs. own.  If we were to set a goal, we could make it stick by: getting sign off from other boards, getting sign off from Council, creating a public dashboard of progress, routinely check on the goal's progress, and more  The point of the goal is not just to set a goal, but to push concrete policies, like increasing set-asides, funding standalone affordable housing projects, changing zoning for affordability, and experimenting with legal forms that move to permanent affordability.  Small working group to discuss technical issues involved with the process. ADU Citizenship Requirement Removal - Staff Lewis (8:08)  Approve new language for ADU policy to take to council for approval  Would apply to all ADU programs and any upcoming ADUs  Housing Commission supports new rule for non-eligible voters to serve on any city commission. This was recommended as part of the City’s Equity plan.  Motion to approve new language to allow non-citizens to apply for ADU program by Jordan Hicks seconded by Meredith Anderson (8:15) Other (8:16)  Pete Davis three year term is coming to a close.  Meeting Adjourned – 8:20 PM