Housing Commission

1/20/2022 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Robert Millar, Anna Wageling, Jack Commo, Jessica Bridge, “Deac” Decarreau, Stevya Muzuko City Staff Present: Heather Carrington Guests Present: Councilor Jim Duncan, Langley Smurthwaite Call to Order by: Robert Millar Meeting Start Time: 6:04 PM Minutes Recorded by: Anna Wageling II. Public Comment None III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Meeting minutes from 12/27/21 were approved. IV. Council Update City Council Liaison Jim Duncan updated the Housing Commission on the following: l The Council has been focused on budget discussions over the last month. The Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 24 th , will be the final discussion and Council approval of the proposed budget l The search for a city manager continues with the help of an executive search firm. The posting for applicants will close in early February, with interviews to be scheduled in the coming months. V. City Updates Staff liaison Heather Carrington provided the following update: The City of Winooski has been awarded a Municipal Planning Grant to hire a consultant for the development of an Equitable Housing Plan for the city. This work will build on the housing findings of the Equity Audit, which will be delivered in early 2022. The City was not awarded the Bylaw Modernization Grant, thus the work will be completed internally by staff with the policy guidance of the Commissions and Council. VI. Housing Trust Fund Roll Out The Housing Trust Fund roll out is imminent. Staff has developed simplified applications for each of the three programs: Construction and Rehabilitation (CoRe), Home Improvement Program (HIP), and Down Payment Assistance (DPA). These applications are the first step in the loan process. The forms will be utilized by the Housing Commission to determine applicant eligibility and will be the basis for recommendations to City Council for approval or denial of loans. Currently, staff is waiting for translations of each of the three forms into eight languages:  The Housing Trust Fund roll out is imminent. Staff has developed simplified applications for each of the three programs: Construction and Rehabilitation (CoRe), Home Improvement Program (HIP), and Down Payment Assistance (DPA). These applications are the first step in the loan process. The forms will be utilized by the Housing Commission to determine applicant eligibility and will be the basis for recommendations to City Council for approval or denial of loans. Currently, staff is waiting for translations of each of the three forms into eight languages: Arabic, Burmese, French, Nepali, Somali, Swahili, Vietnamese and Pashto. Concurrently, Opportunities Credit Union is developing promotional materials for each of the programs. The Commission will serve as the application evaluation committee for the Housing Trust Fund, and will make funding recommendations to the City Council. VII. Housing Quality The commissioners began to develop a values-based set of principles to guide their housing quality work. The group discussed the difficulties faced by renters, landlords and property managers related to housing quality. After much discussion, the Commission identified several values that would inform their future work on policy about housing quality: increasing educational support for tenants, landlords and partners; promoting accountability for landlords and tenants in maintaining properties; and, supporting vulnerable populations in the community who are struggling to access supports and services needed. In addition, the Commission identified an emergent need for a housing advocate role in the City that can serve as a connector and key point of contact to fill a gap in communication and connection to resources for landlords, property managers, community partners and residents. With many in the City struggling with housing issues under the added burdens related to the pandemic, City staff will bring this need to the Finance Commission for consideration alongside options for expanding the size of the Housing Trust Fund to address housing quality issues. VIII. Adjourn