IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee

Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 274-6565 AGENDA IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 am, Friday, January 11, 2019 Common Council Chambers, Third Floor City Hall, 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 I. Call to Order II. Changes/Additions to Agenda III. Public Comment IV. Review of Minutes – Minutes for November 9, 2018 V. New Business A. Organizational Meeting for the 2019-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2019 Action Plan B. Q & A with Johanna Anderson, Executive Director, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services C. Q & A with Nels Bohn, Director of Community Development, IURA VI. Other Business A. IURA Grant Summary B. Staff Report C. Next Meeting: February 8, 2019 VII. Motion to Adjourn If you have a disability and require accommodations in order to fully participate, please contact the IURA at 274-6559 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.  Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 274-6565 DRAFT MINUTES IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 am, Friday, November 9, 2018 Common Council Chambers, Third Floor City Hall, 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 Present: Karl Graham, Chair; Tracy Farrell, Vice Chair; Teresa Halpert Excused: Fernando de Aragón; Paulette Manos (leave of absence) Staff: Anisa Mendizabal; Nels Bohn Guests: Cindy Ye, Master’s Candidate, Cornell University, Dept. of City & Regional Planning I. Call to Order Chair Graham called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. II. Changes/Additions to Agenda None. III. Public Comment None. IV. Review of Minutes – Minutes for October 12, 2018 Farrell moved, Halpert seconded. Carried 3-0. V. New Business A. Discussion: 2017 CAPER Highlights The CAPER is the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, submitted to HUD by IURA at the end of each Actual Planning year. All communities with a Consolidated Plan for Entitlement Funding are required to submit a CAPER. The Committee reviewed the chart entitled “2017 CAPER Summary: Goals and Outcomes + Projections for Completion of the Con Plan Cycle.” Mendizabal noted there was some updated information for the “Projected Goal Attainment by End of Con Plan (2019) column: Line 3, “Rental Units Constructed”: The projected outcome is currently listed as 21 units, but could rise to 25 units or even 30 units. Reason: The INHS Scattered Site II project includes 9 rental units that will be rebuilt from the ground up. Four of the Elm Street units have been offline for about 5 years; 1 unit has been offline since January 2018. These offline units (or at least the four that have been offline for 5 years), when rebuilt, will contribute to a net increase of affordable rental housing in the City. Therefore, the outcome/deliverable could be noted in Line 3, instead of where it is currently noted: Line 4 “Rental Units Rehabilitated.” It is possible that all 9 of the units could be considered simply “new construction.” Anything categorized as “new construction” necessarily will be subtracted from the number reported at Line 4 “Rental Housing Rehabilitated” completion number. It depends on whether the activity on Elm Street is deemed “reconstruction” or new construction, according to HUD guidance. New construction that replaces existing units and is substantially similar to what was there previously is classified as a rehabilitation activity and called “reconstruction.” At other times, such an activity is simply “new construction.” There are arguments for both classifications at Elm Street. Line 15 “Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities for Low/Moderate Income Housing”: A similar classification issue affects Chartwell House, and whether, in terms of beneficiaries, it is considered one household or multiple households. Staff has reviewed HUD guidelines for classification of group homes and SROS, and has also consulted with the HUD Buffalo Field Office and a consultant. Chartwell meets the group home classification (one household). Chair Graham inquired how the public learns about the outcomes outlined in the CAPER. And whether a press release would be useful. Mendizabal stated that, as required, a notice of availability is placed in the Ithaca Journal, and the document is made available for public comment. Farrell and Graham recalled other conversations with the IURA Board regarding ways to raise public awareness of the investment of public monies (HUD Entitlement Funds) in many projects around town. A idea that has been suggested is a window cling or sticker that funded projects could place on their front door or similar. Halpert agreed that such an item would increase the public’s awareness and also show where tax dollars are coming back to be reinvested in the community. The Committee directed Mendizabal to begin a list of funded projects for posting to the IURA’s website. Graham brought the Committee’s attention to Mini-Repair as a project that supports LMI homeowners along with improving neighborhood stability. Mendizabal reported that she had been in touch with INHS this week about a matter having to do with Mini-Repair, and, as reflected on the Grant Summary, the project appears to be moving slowly. Farrell would like to see staff follow up further with Mini-Repair, in order to let the Committee how it is progressing. Farrell asked about Funded Activity Projects for 2018. Mendizabal reported they are still being developed and reviewed by IURA attorneys. The delayed federal budget had ripple effects in finalizing contracts and beginning reimbursements in 2017, as well. B. Discussion: Creation of AFH Goal and Guidance Goal #7 of the City’s Assessment of Fair Housing was created to encourage applicants to come forward with projects that would promote Fair Housing or otherwise affirmatively further fair housing. Overcoming patterns of segregation is a primary focus of the AFH. Though HUD data showed no RE/CAPs (Racially and Ethnically Concentrated Areas in Poverty) in the City of Ithaca, there are areas in Ithaca that afford less access to opportunity to residents than others. Increasing access to affordable housing in a broader range of Ithaca’s neighborhoods, for example, could be considered increasing opportunity and reducing barriers to housing choice. The Committee discussed different ways current development in Ithaca could promote housing choice. New developments in Collegetown will bring more units online, but the prices will be out-of-reach to many college students and also to people who have housing vouchers. In neighborhoods such as Fall Creek, property values have risen such that it is difficult to know if deteriorated housing in such neighborhoods is still viable for acquisition and rehabilitation by CBDOs. The Committee called on Director of Community Development, Nels Bohn, for more information. Bohn clarified that there is no reason why CDBG and HOME funds can’t be used for housing in Fall Creek or any other neighborhood. Public facilities, however, must meet a “benefit test” to ensure low- to moderate-income neighborhoods are receiving the primary benefit. Bohn went on to say that though foreclosures tend to be rare in Ithaca, this is another way that properties can be acquired, improved, and offered for affordable homeownership. He recalled a time when INHS explored putting housing in an underutilized area in Fall Creek, but site challenges thwarted the effort. Discussion continued regarding opportunities that could arise for affordable homeownership and/or rental units at the Immaculate Conception site. Bohn informed the Committee that Assistant Deputy Secretary for Field Policy and Management, Matthew Hunter and HUD Region II Administrator, Lynne Patton, along with others from HUD, made a visit to Ithaca. They met briefly with Mayor Svante Myrick and Bohn and toured 210 Hancock. Graham observed that other strategies beyond construction and rehabilitation could be considered. Down payment assistance is an example. Currently, a matched savings program called “First Home Club” offered by the Federal Home Loan Bank offers a $7,500 match when the client saves $1,875 (a 4:1 match). A proposed change in the program could allow applicants with just $1,000 to receive a $15,000 match, however, as worded it is not clear that the applicant must be LMI. Banks are awaiting guidance on the matter. Farrell expressed concern over deteriorating rental housing in various City neighborhoods. Is there a way to convert such properties for affordable homeownership? Bohn noted that such properties are also being acquired by people intending to keep them as rentals. Halpert agreed; this was particularly rampant after the 2008 housing crisis. Investors saw foreclosed homes as an opportunity.  Discussion turned to AirBnB and vacation rentals as impediments to creation of an abundance of affordable housing. Bohn reported that Tom Knipe, Deputy Director of Economic Development has found that AirBnB properties much be rented 60-70 nights in order to make more annually than having a single long-term rental. Mendizabal commented that variable rates are also common on vacation rental sites; property owners can charge more during peak demand, unlike the fixed terms of a 12-month lease. Graham brought the conversation back to the Mini-Repair and Homeowner Rehab programs. This keeps people in their homes, especially in gentrifying neighborhoods. Halpert wondered if there is a mechanism to get LMI homeowners maximum repair benefit and then enroll the home in the housing trust fund. Bohn recalled that Lynn Truame had written a grant for such a project, but it was not funded. This could be something ask INHS—are they interested in exploring such a project. The Committee showed interest in a number of questions relating to INHS. Graham directed Mendizabal to contact Johanna Anderson, INHS’ CEO to invite her to a meeting. Mendizabal will prepare a list of questions for Committee members to review and add to in advance. The Committee reviewed options for inclusion of language specifying an AFFH-directed goal into the application and instructions for the 2019 Action Plan (see “Goal 7 – Linking to Action Plan” document). The Committee voiced preference for Option 2, which would add a question asking the applicant to explain how its project addresses any of the fourteen factors contributing (“Contributing Factors”) to fair housing issues and problems in the City of Ithaca. “Promotion of Fair Housing” will also be added to the “Selection Criteria” section of the application. Staff will make these this to the applications. Farrell asked how applicants will be able to find information about the fourteen Contributing Factors. Mendizabal responded that the online version of the application could include a link to the Contributing Factors, much as it now includes a link to the identified priority needs within the Consolidated Plan. It will be made available in hard copy, as well. VI. Other Business A. IURA Grant Summary Mendizabal has reached out to TCAction, INHS, and Historic Ithaca about slow-moving projects. Further, Bohn has been in touch with Tim Logue of the City’s Engineering Department, and other voucher for Spencer Road Sidewalks is expected. Projects that have not expended their 2017 CDBG funds will receive a letter from Mendizabal reminding them of the need to request an extension if they project their need for funds will continue past December 31, 2018. B. Staff Report Mendizabal was forwarded a request from a community member about eviction data and is compiling it. She will bring it to December’s meeting. C. Next Meeting: December 7, 2018 VII. Motion to Adjourn Meeting adjourned by consensus at 10:31 am.   Please note this DRAFT 2019 City of Ithaca HUD Entitlement Grant schedule is subject to change without Consolidated + Action Plan Schedule notice. Milestone Date 8:30 A.M., Thursday, December 13, 2018, IURA Meeting Organizational Meeting Common Council Chambers, City Hall Call for Funding Proposals Issued Tuesday, January 8, 2019 Organizational Meeting #2 8:30 A.M., Friday, January 11, 2019 Neighborhood Investment Committee Meeting, 3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall 10:15 A.M., Wednesday, December 5, 2018, CoC Homeless & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Housing Task Force, 6th Floor Conf. Room, TC Mental Health 6:00 – 7:00 P.M., Monday, January 14, 2019 Community Life PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Commission, 2nd Floor Conference Room, City Hall 6:00-7:30 P.M., Thursday, January 17, 2019, Borg Warner PUBLIC INFORMATION & INPUT MEETING #1 Room (East), Tomkins County Public Library 5:30-7:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 23, 2019, Greater Ithaca PUBLIC INFORMATION & INPUT MEETING #2 Activities Center (GIAC) Gym, 301 W. Court Street 12:00 noon – 1:30 P.M., Thursday, January 24, 2019, PUBLIC INFORMATION & INPUT MEETING #3 Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 5:00 – 6:00 P.M., Monday, January 28, 2019, 2nd Floor PUBLIC INFORMATION & INPUT MEETING #4 Conference Room, City Hall 6:00 – 7:00 P.M., Monday, February 18, 2019* Community PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Life Commission, Council Chambers, City Hall * = Holiday: TBC FUNDING APPLICATIONS DUE: Noon, Thursday, February 28, 2019 8:30 A.M., Friday, March 8, 2019 Neighborhood Investment Committee Meeting #1 3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall TBC: 3:30 P.M., Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Economic Development Committee Meeting #1 Common Council Chambers, City Hall 8:30 A.M., Friday, March 15, 2019 Neighborhood Investment Committee Meeting #2 3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, March 28, 2019 IURA MEETING #1 ― PUBLIC HEARING #1 Common Council Chambers, City Hall 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, April 4, 2019 IURA MEETING #2 ― PUBLIC HEARING #1 (CONT. INCL. ED) Common Council Chambers, City Hall 3:30 P.M., Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Economic Development Committee Meeting #2 Council Chambers, City Hall 8:30 A.M., Friday, April 12, 2019 Neighborhood Investment Committee Meeting #3 3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, April 18, 2019 IURA MEETING #3 Common Council Chambers, City Hall 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, April 25, 2019 IURA MEETING #4 Common Council Chambers, City Hall IURA Adoption of Draft Consolidated/Action Plan 8:30 A.M., Thursday, April 25, 2019 Draft 2019 Consolidated/Action Plan Available for 30- Friday, April 26, 2019 Day Public Comment Period PUBLIC HEARING #2 ― Planning & Economic 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Development Committee of Common Council Close 30-Day Comment Period on Draft Action Plan 12:00 P.M., Monday, May 27, 2019 Common Council Approval of 2019 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 5, 2019 Consolidated/Action Plan  IURA Grants Summary November 2018 ON TOTAL # SCHEDULE HUD ENTITLEMENT ACTIVITIES SPONSOR BUDGET EXPENDED UNEXPENDED % SPENT 2015 CDBG Activities 2521 complete 1.0 Hancock Street INHS 250,403.50 250,403.50 0.00 100% 2522 complete 2.0 Mini Repair INHS 35,000.00 35,000.00 0.00 100% 2531 complete 6.0 Temporary Ramp Loan Program Finger Lakes Ind. Center 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 100% 2532 complete 7.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program GIAC 109,372.86 109,372.86 0.00 100% 2523 complete 8.0 Work Preserve Job Training Program Historic Ithaca 87,500.00 87,500.00 0.00 100% 2524 NO 9.0 Spencer Road Sidewalks City of Ithaca 100,000.00 28,106.50 71,893.50 28% 2525 complete 10.0 2-1-1/I&R Service Human Services Coalition 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 100% 2526 complete 11.0 Building for the Future7 Southside Community Center 21,227.76 21,227.76 0.00 100% 2527 complete 12.0 Immigrant Services Catholic Charities 16,000.00 16,000.00 0.00 100% 2528 complete 13.0 A+ Tuition Assistance BJM Enrichment Program 17,410.00 17,410.00 0.00 100% 2529 complete 14.0 ReSET Job Training Expansion Finger Lakes ReUse 23,759.00 23,759.00 0.00 100% 2530 complete 15.0 CDBG Grant Administration IURA 134,329.20 134,329.20 0.00 100% 2912 complete Unallocated 2015 CDBG7 N/A 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A Total 835,002.32 763,108.82 71,893.50 91% 2016 CDBG Activities 1913 ok Unallocated 2016 CDBG 18, 20, 25 N/A 1,390.00 0.00 1,390.00 N/A Total 1,390.00 0.00 1,390.00 0% 2016 HOME Activities 2758 ok 5.0 202 Hancock Townhouses 26 INHS 317,768.64 314,125.00 3,643.64 99% Total 317,768.64 314,125.00 3,643.64 99% 2017 CDBG Activities 2561 NO 1.0 Chartwell House Tompkins Community Action 22,000.00 0.00 22,000.00 0% 2562 NO 2.0 2017 Homeowner Rehab INHS 75,000.00 0.00 75,000.00 0% 2563 ok 6.0 Mini Repair INHS 26,000.00 19,899.00 6,101.00 77% 2564 ok 7.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program GIAC 100,000.00 98,845.45 1,154.55 99% 2565 canceled 8.0 Ithaca ReUse Center Expansion Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc. 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 2566 ok 10.0 Work Preserve Job Training: Job Placements Historic Ithaca 67,500.00 35,519.53 31,980.47 53% 2567 ok 11.0 Food Entrepreneurship CCE of Tompkins County 36,587.00 26,204.89 10,382.11 72% 2568 NO 12.0 Urban Bus Stop Signage & Amenities TCAT 25,000.00 0.00 25,000.00 0% 2569 complete 13.0 DICC Heating & Roofing Replacement6, 7, 19 DICC 49,000.00 49,000.00 0.00 100% 2570 complete 14.0 Immigrant Services Catholic Charities 30,000.00 30,000.00 0.00 100% 2571 ok 15.0 Work Preserve Job Readiness Historic Ithaca 20,000.00 9,811.35 10,188.65 49% 2572 complete 16.0 2-1-1 Info and Referral Human Services Coalition 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 100% 2573 ok 17.0 A Place To Stay: Supportive Services Catholic Charities 15,925.00 14,456.20 1,468.80 91% 2574 ok 18.0 Housing For School Success: Year #2 ICSD 13,280.00 13,018.46 261.54 98% 2575 complete 19.0 CDBG Admin IURA 128,882.00 128,882.00 0.00 100% ok 22.0 Economic Development Loan Fund IURA 56,886.24 0.00 56,886.24 0% complete 9.0 Harriet Gianellis Child Care Center Tompkins Community Action 84,200.00 84,200.00 0.00 100% ok Unallocated 2017 CDBG16, 19, 25 N/A 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A Total 770,260.24 529,836.88 240,423.36 69% 2017 HOME Activities 2767 canceled 3.0 402 South Cayuga Street17 Habitat for Humanity 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 2768 ok 4.0 Housing Scholarship Program11 The Learning Web 65,592.00 44,090.42 21,501.58 67% 2769 ok 5.0 Security Deposit Assistance Catholic Charities 62,700.70 61,999.50 701.20 98.88% 2770 ok 21.0 828 Hector Street (CHDO) 23 INHS 41,378.00 34,219.63 7,158.37 83% 2771 complete 20.0 HOME Admin IURA 27,565.10 27,565.10 0.00 100% 2807 ok Unallocated 2017 HOME12, 17, 23, 24 N/A 4,314.08 0.00 4,314.08 N/A complete Home Admin (PI)22 N/A 2,217.30 2,217.30 0.00 100% ok Recaptured Funds (HP)15 N/A 5,000.00 0.00 5,000.00 N/A ok Unanticipated Program Income (PI)8 N/A 21,545.00 0.00 21,545.00 N/A Total 230,312.18 170,091.95 60,220.23 74% 2018 CDBG Activities 6002 ok 1.0 Neighbor to Neighbor Home Rehab Love Knows No Bounds 40,000.00 0.00 40,000.00 0% 6003 ok 2.0 Chartwell House Tompkins Community Action 200,000.00 0.00 200,000.00 0% 6004 ok 8.0 Ramp Loan Program FLIC 25,000.00 0.00 25,000.00 0% 6005 ok 9.0 Mini Repair INHS 32,500.00 0.00 32,500.00 0% 6006 ok 11.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program GIAC 110,000.00 0.00 110,000.00 0% 6007 ok 13.0 Volunteer Worker & Job Skill Training Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc. 71,800.00 0.00 71,800.00 0% 6008 ok 14.0 Work Preserve Job Training Historic Ithaca 67,500.00 0.00 67,500.00 0% 6009 ok 16.0 Targeted Urban Bus Stop Upgrades TCAT 13,500.00 0.00 13,500.00 0% 6010 ok 19.0 Immigrant Services Catholic Charities 30,000.00 0.00 30,000.00 0% 6011 ok 20.0 Work Preserve Job Readiness Historic Ithaca 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0% 6012 ok 21.0 2-1-1 Info and Referral Human Services Coalition 20,000.00 8,483.60 11,516.40 42% 6013 ok 22.0 Housing For School Success Year #3 Ithaca City School District (ICSD) 27,005.00 0.00 27,005.00 0% Page 1 of 2  IURA Grants Summary November 2018 ON TOTAL # SCHEDULE HUD ENTITLEMENT ACTIVITIES SPONSOR BUDGET EXPENDED UNEXPENDED % SPENT 6014 ok 23.0 CDBG Admin IURA 137,214.00 0.00 137,214.00 0% 6015 ok 25.0 Economic Development Loan Fund IURA 26,052.00 0.00 26,052.00 0% 6016 ok 17.0 Final Phase: Heating & Roofing 25 DICC 29,300.00 0.00 29,300.00 0% 6017 ok 18.0 Domestic Violence Center Renovation 25 Advocacy Center 9,960.72 0.00 9,960.72 0% ok Unallocated 2018 CDBG N/A 25,000.00 0.00 25,000.00 N/A Total 884,831.72 8,483.60 876,348.12 1% 2018 HOME Activities 8002 ok 3.0 402 South Cayuga Street INHS 150,000.00 0.00 150,000.00 0% 8003 ok 4.0 Housing Scholarship Program The Learning Web 65,592.00 0.00 65,592.00 0% 8004 ok 5.0 Security Deposit Assistance 24 Catholic Charities 48,250.00 5,778.00 42,472.00 12% 8004a ok 6.0 Security Deposit Inspections 24 TCA 2,500.00 0.00 2,500.00 0% 8005 ok 7.0 INHS Scattered Site 2 (CHDO) 24 IURA 100,000.00 0.00 100,000.00 0% 8006 ok 10.0 Additional Reserve (CHDO) 24, 26 TBD 95,730.84 0.00 95,730.84 0% 8007 ok Home Admin IURA 36,880.30 0.00 36,880.30 0% Total 498,953.14 5,778.00 493,175.14 1% CDBG Spend Down Ratio (must be less than 1.5 by June 1st of each year (60 days prior to program year): CDBG Spend Down Ratio = total unexpended CDBG funds/most recent annual CDBG NO Current Method: Total Unexpended CDBG funds: Line of Credit + CDBG Revolving Loan Fund: 1.663 Maximum Unexpended CDBG Funds to Satisfy 1.5 CDBG Spend Down Ratio 1,029,107 Amount Required to be Expended by 6/1 to Meet CDBG Spend Down Ratio of 1.5: 336,502 Total Unexpended HUD Entitlement Funds CDBG Activities 965,473.74 CDBG Program Income Activities 224,581.24 CDBG Revolving Loan Fund Balance 400,134.90 HOME Activities 557,039.01 HOME Program Income Activities 125.70 HOME Program Income Unassigned 0.00 Total Unexpended HUD Entitlement (Including PI) Funds 1,922,647.65 Page 2 of 2