Rehabilitation Review Committee

MINUTES OF THE REHAB REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 21, 2009 8:45 AM Members Present: Jim Troeger, Joe East, Jim Roberts, Susan Goldman Others Present: Jennifer Gottlieb, Wayne Sharkey, Linda Lee Smith In the absence of chairman Rodney Bowie, Jim Troeger called the meeting to order at 8:51 a.m. Joe East made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 10, 2008 meeting. Jim Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Old Business Recommendation on Equity Requirement for HOME Application At the present time there is a 20% equity requirement to participate in the Property Rehab Program. There was some discussion on reducing the equity requirement on the HOME funds the Office of Community Development is applying for. CHFA and FHA accept 3% as a downpayment on property. There would be no paybacks to the City of Norwich anyway on HOME funded projects because those paybacks go to the State. The 20% equity requirement precludes many people from participating in the program, especially relatively new homeowners. As we want to encourage new homeownership, this is counter-productive. Joe East made a motion to recommend reducing the Equity Requirement to 3% for the HOME application. Jim Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. New Business There was some discussion about halfway and boarding houses. The Community Development Office will contact HUD and the City’s Corporation Counsel regarding boarding houses. If boarding houses are allowed, a quota on how many can be served annually should be implemented to prevent boarding houses from dominating the program. Other At this time there was no further information from Uncas Health District on the lead testing in the schools that started in January 2009. Adjournment Motion was made by Joe East to adjourn. Jim Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Rehab Review Committee meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.