IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee

108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 AGENDA IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 am, Friday, September 11, 2020 Virtual Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88688507240?pwd=ckdTaHVabncyMk1yeUg3UklOemE3 QT09 I. Call to Order II. Changes/Additions to Agenda III. Public Comment IV. Review of Minutes ​– August 2020 V. New Business A. Discussion:​ Inclusionary Zoning and Other Policies Affecting Housing Affordability, Nels Bohn, Director of Community Development, IURA B. Presentation: “​ 2-1-1 Helpline: Data and Updates from Six Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” John Mazzello, Director, 2-1-1, Human Services Coalition VI. Other Business A. IURA Grant Summary B. Staff Report VII. Motion to Adjourn If you have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate, please contact the ​C​ITY​ ​OF​ I​THACA​ C​LERK​’​S​ O​FFICE​ at 274-6570 at least 72 business hours prior to the meeting. 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 I​THACA​ U​RBAN​ R​ENEWAL​ A​GENCY​ (IURA) N​EIGHBORHOOD​ I​NVESTMENT​ C​OMMITTEE​ (NIC) DRAFT MINUTES 8:30 A.M., Friday, August 14, 2020 VIRTUAL MEETING In attendance: ​Karl Graham (Chair); Fernando de Arag॔on (Vice Chair); Tracy Farrell; Teresa Halpert; Paulette Manos. Staff: ​Anisa Mendizabal Guests: None I. Call to Order Graham called the meeting to order at 8:43 a.m. II. Changes to the Agenda None. III. Public Comment None. IV. Review of June 2020 Minutes Manos moved, Halpert seconded. ​Approved 5-0​. V. New Business A. Liddy Bargar, Coordinator of the Tompkins County Continuum of Care & Housing Tompkins, Human Services Coalition, discusses findings from Tenant Survey as Eviction Moratoria Expire Human service providers and planning agencies are attempting to provide relevant, COVID and non-COVID services during the ongoing public health crisis. However, due to the pandemic people are largely staying home and thus information-gathering has been harder than usual. Bargar posted an informal (non-scientific) survey regarding housing and eviction on the Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Page, in an effort to get a better sense of how renters in Tompkins County are managing. She shared some preliminary data, such as: ○ 204 respondents were City of Ithaca residents ○ 9% had previously been evicted ○ 17% had a history of homelessness ○ 40% had received some form of communication from their landlords during the pandemic ○ 18% felt uncomfortable with the communication from their landlord ○ 66% reported being low- to moderate-income ○ 60% reported a COVID-related income loss ○ 84% paid March - July rent in full ○ 17% were concerned they were in danger of eviction ○ 47% experienced significant trouble paying other (non-rent) bills Halpert noted that nationally, eviction affects single mothers disproportionately and asked if this is also true locally. Bargar affirmed that it was. There are about 2,100 households with Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) locally. If evicted, the household will lose their voucher. A Committee Member asked where a person who expected to be evicted in fourteen days would go. Bargar answered probably the Department of Social Services. They might apply at the Robin Fund, a local emergency fund. If a person becomes homeless, Bargar said, then they would enter the Coordinated Entry system managed by the Continuum of Care. This system utilizes a common screening tool, a vulnerability index for prioritization of available housing, and can be accessed by each of the service providers on the Coordinated Entry team. However, there is no such coordinated approach for people who are not homeless, but vulnerable for or nearing eviction. Bargar reported that $424,000 in HUD Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG-CV) funds from the CARES Act will be directed to Tompkins County. Bargar and the governing board of the Continuum of Care, which includes IURA Community Development Director Nels Bohn and HSC Executive Director Kathy Schlather have met with the Tompkins County Department of Social Services, which administers the funds, to devise the implementation plan. The Committee asked about people who are currently homeless. Graham noted the 300 block of W. Martin Luther King/State Street has become a gathering spot. Bargar said that substandard housing is a contributing factor; locations that normally provide respite from the conditions of  substandard housing (TCPL, Center Ithaca, the Friendship Center, and Loaves and Fishes), are open for discreet, time-limited services only-- not for gathering-- due to the pandemic. Southern Tier AIDS Project (STAP) is committed to being safe and has changed their staffing pattern so that usually there are 1-2 staff members on site to monitor gathering. The Street Outreach Team also makes regular visits. However, our community is very restrictive in terms of space. B. HUD Rule “Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice” https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/ENF/documents/6228-F-01%20Preserving %20Housing%20and%20Neighborhood%20Choice.pdf HUD has repealed the Obama-ear rule to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing. The City’s AFH Goals are now a part of the 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan and progress toward them will continue for the remainder of the Con Plan period. VI. Other Business A. IURA Grant Summary B. Staff Report Mendizabal reported that the former NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) site of approximately 8.1 acres will go up for auction on September 15, 2020. Minimum bid is set at $2.85M, so it is unlikely that a developer of affordable housing will acquire the site. The Federal Armory on West Hill could be surplused by the Army. If so, this site could be available for redevelopment. Arnot Real Estate of Corning is proposing five floors containing 130 units of market-rate housing to be built at 430-444 W. Martin Luther King/State Street, above Mama Goose. The Committee expressed concern and discussed the loss of affordability in the West End. Halpert questioned whether IURA could revive an effort for inclusionary zoning. Mendizabal will request that IURA Community Development Director Nels Bohn attend the next meeting.. On a related note, the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) on July 8, 2020, adopted a policy stating that projects applying for abatement will be required to include 20% of total units to be affordable to households earning 80% AMI, or to pay an in lieu fee of $5,000 per unit to the Community Housing Development Fund. The Committee discussed whether such a policy would achieve its aims. The Lakeview Mental Health building at 114 S. Geneva Street (corner of Green St.) is listed for sale at $540,000.  The 2-1-1 demonstrated great flexibility in meeting community needs during the pandemic. Catholic Charities of Tompkins-Tioga has voiced interest in making changes to its Security Deposit program. Graham observed that ESG funding has the potential to supplement the availability of security deposits. The COVID-19 Funders Response Network has today allocated $1.5M for local COVID-related needs. Information may be obtained on the Community Foundation’s website. The Community Foundation is also interested in creating a Racial Equity Fund, following this model. Per our HUD Representative, the City’s 2020 Action Plan and its CDBG-CV Substantial Amendment have been accepted. VI. Adjournment Graham motioned to adjourn; Halper seconded. ​Approved 5-0​. Meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m.  IURA Grants Summary July 2020 ON TRANSFERS TOTAL Entitlement Funds PI TOTAL # SCHEDULE HUD ENTITLEMENT ACTIVITIES OUT BUDGET EXPENDED UNEXPENDED UNEXPENDED UNEXPENDED % SPENT 2017 HOME Activities 17 2767 canceled 3.0 402 South Cayuga Street 80,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 11 2768 complete 4.0 Housing Scholarship Program 0.00 65,592.00 65,592.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 2769 complete 5.0 Security Deposit Assistance 0.00 62,700.70 62,700.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 23 2770 complete 21.0 828 Hector Street (CHDO) 4,309.08 41,378.00 41,378.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 2771 complete 20.0 HOME Admin 0.00 27,565.10 27,565.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 12, 17, 23, 24 2807 complete Unallocated 2017 HOME 104,286.88 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A 22 complete Home Admin (PI) 0.00 2,448.76 2,448.76 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 15 2810 ok Recaptured Funds (HP) 1,191.86 3,808.14 0.00 3,808.14 0.00 3,808.14 N/A 8 2809 ok Unanticipated Program Income (PI) 0.00 21,545.00 0.00 21,545.00 0.00 21,545.00 N/A Total 189,787.82 225,037.70 199,684.56 25,353.14 0.00 25,353.14 89% 2018 CDBG Activities 6002 ok 1.0 Neighbor to Neighbor Home Rehab 0.00 40,000.00 10,247.00 29,753.00 0.00 29,753.00 26% 6003 complete 2.0 Chartwell House 125,000.00 75,000.00 75,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6004 complete 8.0 Ramp Loan Program 0.00 25,000.00 25,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6005 complete 9.0 Mini Repair 0.00 32,500.00 32,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6006 complete 11.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program 0.00 110,000.00 110,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6007 complete 13.0 Volunteer Worker & Job Skill Training 0.00 71,800.00 71,800.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6008 complete 14.0 Work Preserve Job Training 2,607.89 67,500.00 67,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6009 ok 16.0 Targeted Urban Bus Stop Upgrades 0.00 13,500.00 6,794.50 6,705.50 0.00 6,705.50 50% 6010 complete 19.0 Immigrant Services 0.00 30,000.00 30,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6011 complete 20.0 Work Preserve Job Readiness 0.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6012 complete 21.0 2‐1‐1 Info and Referral 0.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6013 complete 22.0 Housing For School Success Year #3 0.00 27,005.00 27,005.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6014 complete 23.0 CDBG Admin 0.00 137,214.00 137,214.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6015 complete 25.0 Economic Development Loan Fund 0.00 151,052.00 151,052.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 25 6016 complete 17.0 Final Phase: Heating & Roofing 0.00 29,300.00 29,300.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 25 6017 ok 18.0 Domestic Violence Center Renovation 0.00 9,960.72 8,359.00 1,601.72 0.00 1,601.72 84% ok Unallocated 2018 CDBG 25,000.00 2,607.89 0.00 2,607.89 0.00 2,607.89 N/A Total 152,607.89 862,439.61 821,771.50 40,668.11 0.00 40,668.11 95% 2018 HOME Activities 8002 ok 3.0 402 South Cayuga Street 0.00 150,000.00 140,000.00 10,000.00 0.00 10,000.00 93% 2 8003 complete 4.0 Housing Scholarship Program 8,886.25 65,592.00 65,592.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 24,2 8004 complete 5.0 Security Deposit Assistance 6,250.00 48,250.00 48,250.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 24 8004a complete 6.0 Security Deposit Inspections 0.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 24 8005 ok 7.0 INHS Scattered Site 2 (CHDO) 0.00 100,000.00 93,116.00 6,884.00 0.00 6,884.00 93% 8006 complete 10.0 Additional Reserve (CHDO) 24, 26 99,374.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A 8007 complete Home Admin 0.00 36,880.30 36,880.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% ok 2018 HOME Unallocated 2 0.00 15,891.14 0.00 15,891.14 0.00 15,891.14 N/A Total 114,510.73 419,113.44 386,338.30 32,775.14 0.00 32,775.14 92% 2019 CDBG Activities 6022 ok 1.0 Homeowner Rehab 0.00 67,594.32 0.00 67,594.32 0.00 67,594.32 0% 6023 ok 2.0 Small Repair Program 0.00 32,500.00 9,917.72 22,582.28 0.00 22,582.28 31% 6024 ok 6.0 Finger LakesReUse Job Skills Training 0.00 95,529.00 24,495.44 71,033.56 0.00 71,033.56 26% 6025 ok 7.0 Work Preserve Job Training 0.00 67,500.00 3,302.70 64,197.30 0.00 64,197.30 5% 6026 ok 8.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program 0.00 110,725.28 0.00 110,725.28 0.00 110,725.28 0% 6027 complete 9.0 Ithaca ReUse Center Acquisition 0.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6028 complete 10.0 Economic Development Loan Fund 0.00 107,396.99 107,396.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6029 ok 11.0 Black Girl Alchemists Public Art Mosaic 0.00 7,500.00 1,066.46 6,433.54 0.00 6,433.54 14% 6030 ok 12.0 Housing For School Success 0.00 15,700.00 12,627.86 3,072.14 0.00 3,072.14 80% 6031 complete 13.0 2‐1‐1 0.00 15,000.00 15,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6032 ok 14.0 Work Preserve: Job Readiness 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0% 6033 ok 15.0 A Place To Stay 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0% 6034 ok 16.0 Immigrant Services 0.00 25,059.00 16,706.00 8,353.00 0.00 8,353.00 67% 6035 ok 17.0 CDBG Admin 0.00 137,679.40 94,602.34 43,077.06 0.00 43,077.06 69% Total 0.00 822,183.99 385,115.51 437,068.48 0.00 437,068.48 47% 2019 HOME Activities 8011 ok 1.0 Homeowner Rehab 0.00 42,151.58 0.00 42,151.58 0.00 42,151.58 0% 8012 ok 3.0 Immaculate Conception School Redev 0.00 199,900.00 0.00 199,900.00 0.00 199,900.00 0% 8013 ok 4.0 Housing Scholarship Program 0.00 70,560.00 3,544.20 67,015.80 0.00 67,015.80 5% 8014 ok 5.0 Security Deposit Assistance‐Vulnerable Hou 1,451.00 64,000.00 25,491.30 38,508.70 0.00 38,508.70 40% 8015 ok 18.0 HOME Admin 0.00 30,597.20 22,597.73 7,999.47 0.00 7,999.47 74% 2019 HOME Unallocated 3 0.00 1,451.00 0.00 1,451.00 0.00 1,451.00 0% Total 1,451.00 408,659.78 51,633.23 357,026.55 0.00 357,026.55 13% Total Unexpended Funds Unexpended CDBG Entitlement Funds 477,736.59 Unexpended CDBG Program Income Committed to Action Plan Activities 0.00 CDBG Revolving Loan Fund Balance (#02 Bank Balance excluding interest) 173,890.01 Unexpended HOME Entitlement Funds 415,154.83 Unexpended HOME Program Income 0.00 HOME Program Income Unassigned 0.00 Total Unexpended HUD Funds 1,066,781.43 1.5 CDBG Spend Down Ratio Analysis (must be less than 1.5 by June 1st of each year): CDBG Spend Down Ratio = total unexpended CDBG funds/most recent annual CDBG award Page 1 of 2  IURA Grants Summary July 2020 ON TRANSFERS TOTAL Entitlement Funds PI TOTAL # SCHEDULE HUD ENTITLEMENT ACTIVITIES OUT BUDGET EXPENDED UNEXPENDED UNEXPENDED UNEXPENDED % SPENT Most Recent Annual CDBG Award: 688,397 1.5 x Most Recent CDBG Award: 1,032,596 Current Unexpended CDBG Funds: 651,627 Current CDBG Spend Down Ratio: 0.95 Compliance With 1.5 CDBG Spend Down Ratio: Yes Amount Required to be Expended by 6/1 to Meet CDBG Spend Down Ratio: ‐380,969 Page 2 of 2