Housing Commission

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH HOUSING COMMISION 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: March 12, 2024 PLACE OF MEETING: In Person (Winter Hill) w/ Virtual Option MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Meredith Anderson at 6:31 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Guests Meredith Anderson – Chair Mikayla Edmunds, Student Rep Jordan Hicks – Vice Chair Joseph Cobucci, Student Rep Hannah Jordan Gene Gresco Sara Ferrara Reina (Virtual) Robert Kravinsky Julene Jarnot City Council Liaison Naudy Martinez Letty Hardi Stu Whitaker Staff Brenden Woodley Dana Jones (Virtual & In-person) Kayleen Mark 1. Call to order - Meredith Anderson a. 6:31pm 2. Roll Call – Chair Meredith Anderson a. All commissioners present 3. Approval of Minutes – Chair Meredith Anderson a. Hannah Jordan move to approve b. Jordan Hicks Seconded 4. Introduction to new Housing Commission Member – Robert Kravinsky  a. Resident of Falls Church since 1994, raised 2 children in the City. b. Former federal employee c. Looking forward to being part of the commission and to volunteer and support diversity in affordable housing. 5. Public Comments – Chair Meredith Anderson a. Stu Whittaker at Broadfalls – number of issues at property including no trash pick-up, laundry and elevator issues. i. Kayleen mentioned that HHS was aware of the issues with trash and the efforts City made to address and resolve issues. ii. HHS was not aware of issues with elevator, however Kayleen sent a follow up to the property in regard to the issue of laundry. Property was waiting on laundry contractor to address issues. 6. Affordable Housing Fund Committee – Household Subsidy Program Debrief and Vote – Vice Chair Jordan Hicks. a. Jordan Hicks recommended the approval and moved to vote b. Sara Ferrara seconded c. All vote “aye” d. Motion passes i. Letty Hardi asked how soon this subsidy will start and Brenden mentioned once we find a household that is eligible. 7. HHS Updates – Staff Brenden Woodley & Staff Kayleen Mark a. Housing Update i. There are currently 7 CCAUs under contract and Kayleen is working to fill the next 5 units. ii. HHS staff will be attending the NOVA Housing Expo on Saturday, March 23rd. iii. April is fair housing month and Kayleen will be making proclamation to City Council on April 8th. iv. Fair Housing training will be provided to property managers and City Council in May. v. Kayleen suggested getting affordable housing clients’ testimonials. b. Affordable Homeownership Program Update i. Brenden Woodley noted that there are 7 households on the interested list, 2 of those are newly interested. ii. Translation has been added for Spanish and Vietnamese to the AHP website. iii. NHPF and the City are currently working on flyer for the AHP. iv. We have a new 1-bedroom unit under contract and that unit is expected to have a quick turnaround as there is a high demand for 1-bedroom units. c. VA Village Update Brenden Woodley gave update on the project i. HHS spent the last month getting our contract documents in line with closing. ii. MOU was amended and approval was done on 3/11/2024. iii. Closing is no longer anticipated on 03/26/2024, but once we have some solid updates we can share. iv. Still on track to close on 303 Shirley in 2 weeks . Affordable Living Policy Update i. Brenden discussed there is a facilitator on board and a meeting is scheduled on 03/13/2024 to introduce the co-chairs and HHS. ii. Brenden discussed with Hannah the updates on scheduling timeline  iii. Hannah mentioned that there should be a back up person in case she cannot attend. Person will be determined in the June’s meeting. 8. 2024 Housing Commission goals & presentation to Council – Chair Meredith Anderson a. Meredith presented a spreadsheet of current units, what is being lost and what is needed to maintain growth. i. Jordan Hicks mentioned to include what it would look like if we do save units that are expiring. ii. Letty Hardi suggested that 3% of our total housing stock may not be enough and maybe we should consider 5% and that we should have target on unit sizes and specific AMIs. iii. Sara Ferrara mentioned that the argument should be that the goal should be 6% in the City. b. Meredith will draft and speak of next year’s goals and send out to commissioners. i. Hannah Jordan mentioned to include unmet needs for unhoused. ii. Sara Ferrara mentioned $850,000 grant to Falls Church from Don Beyer. Brenden commented we applied for that grant for the Amazon Strike Fund to purchase more properties at Virginia Village. 9. Begin Discussion of Steve Sprague Award – Chari Meredith Anderson a. Will be discussed in next meeting b. Brenden suggested Rob Young as a candidate for the award. 10. Set agenda for joint April meeting with Senator Salim – Chair Meredith Anderson a. Meredith will wait to see how that would go and we may be invited in HSAC meeting on April 18th. b. Dana Jones confirmed invite is open for April 18th and housing commission can meet senator then break out in different rooms if possible for separate meetings. c. Meredith mentioned that Housing commission can meet at 6pm and meet senator at 7pm. 11. Other: a. Future locations for meetings – Commissioners would like Broadfalls and Merrill House. Suggestion for the Fields as well as an outdoor option. b. Demographics Report Debrief – scheduled for May. 12. Adjourn a. Sarah Ferrara moved to Adjourn b. Jordan Hicks seconded c. Adjourned 8:43pm.