Human Services Advisory Council

MINUTES Human Services Advisory Council City of Falls Church PURPOSE OF MEETING: To advise City Council on human services delivery to Falls Church citizens. DATE OF MEETING: October 21, 2021 PLACE OF MEETING: Virtual MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY Nicole Newman: at 6:34 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: HSAC Members: Staff: Nancy Vincent Craig Cheney City Council Liaison Alisa Macht Marybeth Connelly Nicole Newman (chair) Student Members Anne Norloff Joseph Dakin Debra Z. Roth Olivia Games Katherine Hart Eva Williams David Ziayee OTHERS PRESENT: None APPROVAL of MINUTES: The minutes from the August 19, 2021 meeting were approved. NEW BUSINESS:  Founders Row II proposed development Members expressed concern about the proposed development. Ms. Vincent will send a link to all with a presentation from the developer and will request an in-person presentation at the November meeting.  Proposed Charter amendment to remove the requirement that members of boards and commissions appointed by City Council be qualified voters Members agreed to submit a letter to City Council in support of the proposed Charter amendment.  Suggestion to encourage/recruit folks with disabilities to serve on boards and commissions Ms. Macht suggested that HSAC members support a recommendation to City Council that community members with disabilities be actively recruited to serve on boards and commissions. Members were in support. OLD BUSINESS:  Social equity community training Ms. Roth gave an update on the progress of planning a community training in February or March. She is working with staff to interview potential facilitators. She asked the question, what are we trying to accomplish and what are action steps.   Affordable housing homeownership program Ms. Vincent gave a presentation on a new affordable homeownership program that is being supported by a Virginia Housing Amazon REACH grant.  Human services needs in new development Suggestions included having as much affordable housing as possible, properties need to be properly maintained. STAFF REPORT:  Homeless shelters will be open this season. The Falls Church shelter will open December 1 instead of November 15.  The City is having trouble recruiting mental health professionals. Please share ideas with Ms. Vincent.  Ms. Vincent plans to retire January 4, 2021. STAFF REPORT:  The City’s Economic Development Authority has purchased two additional quads on Shirley Street in order to be held as committed affordable housing.  The City is waiting for the contract from Virginia Housing for the Amazon REACH grant which will provide an award of $3.75M for an affordable homeownership program as well as extension of covenants for Teacher Workforce Units at the Reed Building.  The City will apply for the next round of Amazon REACH funds, amounting to $5M, for a project that will establish a housing strike fund in order to purchase Virginia Village quads as they become available. The long term plan is to create an affordable housing development on that land. ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Nancy Vincent 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).