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: January 11, 2022 PLACE OF MEETING: Virtual MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Joshua Shokoor at 6:31 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Planning Commission Liaison Joshua Shokoor, Chair Andrea Caumont Jordan Hicks, Vice Chair Derek Hyra Hannah Jordan City Council Kristina Martinez Phil Duncan Student Liaison Letty Hardi Emma Roncoroni Guests Staff Peter Davis Dana Lewis Gene Gresko John Russell Jennifer Santiago Minutes from the December 14, 2021, meeting were approved Proceedings: Meeting and Roll called to order – Chair Joshua Shokoor Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice – Staff Lewis Approval of Minutes – Chair Joshua Shokoor Motion to approve as amended by Jordan Hicks and seconded by Kristina Martinez. Motion passed. Affordable Housing Fund Request – Amazon and Virginia Village – Staff Dana Lewis Two requests have been received for the Affordable Housing Fund. A committee will be convened to review the requests and make funding recommendations to the Housing Commission. Members will be Dereck Hyra –Planning Commission, Kristina Martinez –Housing Commission, Bob Young - Developer, Ed Novak - Developer, and Mansur Malik- FCHC. Jordan Hicks moved to approve these members and Kristina Martinez seconded. Motion passed. The Committee also includes a HSAC representative. Housing Equity Workshop Update – Staff Dana Lewis The Human Services Advisory Council is moving the date of the Equity Workshop due to the covid surge. It is rescheduled to March 26, 2022 so that it can be held in person. It will be held at Meridian High School and a Professor from George Mason University will facilitate. The Fields Apartments-Follow up – Staff Dana Lewis and John Russell John Russell is the City’s Building Official. Kettler hired new staff to work with The Fields. Ms. Lewis and Mr. Russell met with a Fairfax County Environmental Health team and talked about roles and responsibilities. Localities do not have legal recourse to address mold. Pieter Sheehan, Director of Fairfax Environmental Health, will speak at the January 24, 2022 City Council meeting. A Spanish language interpreter will be available at the Council meeting. Pamphlets will be given to tenants about their role in keeping the property clean with regards to mice. Fairfax Health is working with Kettler to mediate the infestation with mice and rats. Virginia does not have laws that address mold with renters. With the court’s permission, tenants could hold their rent in escrow until the landlord treats the mold in accordance with their lease. State code makes it the tenants responsibility to keep the property clean with regards to mold. Mr. Russell stated that it sounds like Kettler is doing their due diligence. Some of the apartments will need bath fans added. Mr. Shokoor offered to call Legal Services once he has a lease to review. Daniel Gaber?? from Fairfax Health inspects biweekly. He has been in contact with Kettler about pest remediation. American Pest is now doing pest remediation at the property. Environmental Health is preparing a report on the pest issue. Tenants who hold Section 8 vouchers can go to the Housing Authority with property problems. Media awareness might be needed to spur further action. Amazon Grants Update – Staff Dana Lewis The grant agreements are being reviewed. Affordable housing Goals Discussion Pete Davis reported that he is researching the current state of affordable housing in the City and will use that information to inform future goals for affordable housing. There is a need for larger three-bedroom rentals. He will set up a working group to complete the research and goals. Josh, Dereck, and Meredith volunteered with Kristina as a back up. Other  Ms. Lewis is recruiting for a Housing Specialist and a Development Specialist.  Ms. Lewis is the new Director of the Department of Human Services.  The Economic Development Authority has a contract to purchase another quad at Virginia Village. Promax Realty manages the properties. Meeting Adjourned – 8:35 p.m. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternate format upon request. Call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711).