IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee

Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 274-655 Minutes IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee January 10, 2014 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM with members Tracy Farrell, Karl Graham, and Teresa Halpert present. Also in attendance were Alphonse Pieper, Lee Dillon, Danielle Harrington, and Carmen Guidi. Staff present were Nels Bohn and JoAnn Cornish. II. Public Comment None. III. Review of Minutes – October 11, 2013 On a motion by Graham and second by Halpert, the minutes of October 11, 2013 passed unanimously. IV. New Business 1. Designation of Historic Ithaca, Inc. as a CBDO Halpert moved, seconded by Graham: 2014 IURA Designation of the Historic Ithaca, Inc. as a Community‐Based Development Organization WHEREAS, the Board of Historic Ithaca Inc., (Historic Ithaca) seeks designation by the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) as a Community‐Based Development Organization (CBDO), and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has designated the IURA to administer the City’s HUD Entitlement Program that oversees Community Development Block Grant funds awarded to the City, and WHEREAS, an eligible category of CDBG activities is a “Special Activity by CBDO”, that offers certain advantages, such as exemption from the 15% expenditure cap otherwise applicable to public service activities, authorization to carry out new housing construction IURA NIC minutes, 1/10/14 Page 1 of 6 (normally prohibited with CDBG funds), and discretion to allow income generated by a CDBG‐funded activity to not be considered CDBG program income, and WHEREAS, the following four tests established at CFR Title 24 §570.204 must be met to qualify under a category of “Special Activity by CBDOs”: 1. The entity qualifies as a CBDO, including the 51% board membership test; 2. The CBDO will undertake an eligible project; 3. That the CBDO will carry out the funded activity directly or with an entity other than the grantee; 4. That the CBDO will not carry out a prohibited activity; and WHEREAS, a CBDO must maintain at least 51% of its governing body’s membership to be made up of any combination of the following: • Low‐ and moderate income residents of its area of operation • Owners or senior officers of private establishments and other institutions located in its area of operation • Representatives of low‐ and moderate‐income neighborhood organizations located in its area of operation, and WHEREAS, a CBDO must have as its primary purpose the improvement of the physical, economic, or social environment of its geographic area of operation, with a particular emphasis on the needs of low‐ and moderate‐income persons, and WHEREAS, the project undertaken by the CBDO must qualify as one or more of the following project types: • neighborhood revitalization; • community economic development; • energy conservation project; and WHEREAS, at their February 10, 2013 meeting, the Neighborhood Investment Committee compared Historic Ithaca, Inc. with CBDO eligibility requirements as documented in the attached materials and recommended the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA determines that Historic Ithaca, Inc. meets the requirements for eligibility as a CBDO, and that the Work Preserve job training program qualifies as an eligible CBDO activity, and be it further RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby designates Historic Ithaca, Inc. as a Community‐Based Development Organization (CBDO) and their Work Preserve job training program as eligible for CDBG funding under the category of “Special Activities by CBDOs”. Carried Unanimously IURA NIC minutes, 1/10/14 Page 2 of 6 2. 2013 HOME final rule amendments A. Schedule for local adoption of revised policies Members reviewed the schedule for revised policies. B. Review of proposed HOME homebuyer policy Members reviewed draft #1, HOME Homebuyer Program Policies, dated 1/10/14. Bohn noted that the draft was prepared to respond to new requirements established in the 2013 HOME rule amendments. Regarding physical standards of homes eligible for homebuyer assistance, Farrell encouraged establishment of essential minimum standards that focus on health and safety and match existing municipal requirements rather than requiring a new inspection standard. Bohn indicated he would consult with INHS on this item. Members asked for more investigation of the appropriate policy for income‐qualified homebuyer with substantial assets. Bohn indicated he would consult with INHS on the policy as INHS is the only current provide of homebuyer assistance in the City and bring back a revised version for the next committee meeting. 3. Homeless Housing A. Update on Existing Program and Homeless Housing Initiatives Bohn updated the Committee on a collaborative community effort to provide housing options to unsheltered homeless persons in the community, including the so‐called “jungle”. He also noted that The Rescue Mission has been awarded the contract from the Tompkins County Department of Social Services to provide emergency shelter services. B. 2013 Action Plan, Funding Request from TCAction, Inc. for “Housing First”, a tenant‐ based rental assistance program serving 2‐4 unsheltered chronically homeless individuals. Dillon reviewed project and indicated that the goal is to provide safe, decent housing to homeless persons without entry requirements. The concept is that safe, decent and stable housing is a pre‐requisite to moving out of poverty and accessing other services. TCAction will rent apartments, have regular check‐ins on participants and connect them with services and resources to stabilize their lives. Guidi discussed his Second Wind Cottages project in Newfield where 6 permanent housing units are being prepared for homeless persons. Guidi noted that “jungle #1” (near Nate’s Floral IURA NIC minutes, 1/10/14 Page 3 of 6 Estates)has been empty for the past 3 week, “jungle #2”(end of Cherry Street) is empty and “jungle #3” (former Southwest Park behind Walmart) has two long‐term residents, including pets. He noted that homeless persons are very reluctant to accept housing if they cannot also bring their pets. Graham moved, seconded by Halpert: 2013 HUD Entitlement Program – Program Amendment #3, Housing First TBRA (new 2013 project #24) Whereas, on January 8, 2014, Tompkins Community Action, Inc. (TCA) requested $20,000 to fund “Housing First” a tenant‐based rental housing assistance program serving chronically homeless individuals, and Whereas, if funded, the program will house 2‐4 chronic homeless individuals by providing access to safe and appropriate rental housing on a scattered site basis leased by TCA, and Whereas, $20,230.90 in HOME funds remain unallocated from the 2013 Action Plan reserved to meet emerging needs, and Whereas, tenant‐based rental assistance targeted to a subpopulation identified in the City’s Consolidated Plan is an eligible use of HOME funds, and Whereas, the City’s 2008‐2013 Consolidated Plan identifies homeless persons as having unmet housing needs: Objective D: Supportive Housing Increase the range of housing options and related services for special need residents, including homeless people. Meet identified needs by creating additional units or renovating existing units to meet safety, accessibility and quality standards. Strategy 1: Retain existing permanent supportive and transitional housing units and renovating existing units as necessary to enhance safety, accessibility, code compliance and quality. Strategy 2: Help community‐based organizations expand existing permanent supportive and transitional housing facilities for special needs populations. Strategy 3: Assist community‐based organizations in creation of new transitional and permanent supportive housing units, and. Whereas, the “Housing First” program is developed as a component of a coordinated public‐ and private‐sector initiative to provide safe alternatives to unsheltered homeless individuals, and IURA NIC minutes, 1/10/14 Page 4 of 6 Whereas, at a 12/17/13 Homeless Solution Workgroup meeting convened by the Tompkins County Department of Social Services, the Red Cross, Tompkins County, TCA and the City of Ithaca pledged to work cooperatively to shelter all homeless persons seeking housing, including allowing all chronic homeless individuals to access the emergency housing shelter, and Whereas, the City of Ithaca has committed to create a mechanism to provide short‐term rental assistance to chronically homeless individuals while they are stabilized and receiving services, and Whereas, a program amendment of $25,000 or less to fund a new activity does not constitute a “substantial amendment” under the Citizen Participation Plan of the City of Ithaca, therefore the IURA may take final action on this proposed program amendment, and Whereas, a tenant‐based rental assistance program qualifies as a type II action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance at §176‐5(C)(25), and an exempt activity at 24 CFR 58.34 under the National Environmental Protection Act, no environmental review is required for this project, and Whereas, the Neighborhood Investment Committee reviewed this proposal at their meeting on January 10, 2014 and recommended the following; now, therefore be it Resolved, that 2013 unallocated HOME funds in the amount of $20,000 be awarded to Tompkins Community Action, Inc. for the “Housing First” program to implement a tenant‐based rental assistance program serving 2‐4 chronically homeless individuals, and be further Resolved, that the 2013 Action Plan is hereby amended to include “Housing First” as project #24, and be it further Resolved, that these funds shall derive from unallocated HOME funds from the City of Ithaca 2013 HUD Entitlement Grant, and Resolved, that the IURA Chairperson, upon advice of IURA legal counsel, is hereby authorized to execute any necessary and appropriate documents to implement this resolution. Carried Unanimously VII. Old/Other Business 1. Neighborhood Housing Initiative Program Farrell noted that staff is in discussion with City bond counsel on programmatic changes to the program. IURA NIC minutes, 1/10/14 Page 5 of 6 2. Other None. VI. Motion to Adjourn Halpert moved, seconded by Graham, to adjourn. Carried Unanimously Farrell adjourned the meeting at 10 AM. ― END ― Minutes prepared by N. Bohn IURA NIC minutes, 1/10/14 Page 6 of 6