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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-09; Housing Commission; MinutesMinutes of: Time of Meeting: Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: CALL TO ORDER HOUSING COMMISSION 6:00 P.M. MARCH 9, 2017 COUNCIL CHAMBERS Acting Chairperson Newman called the Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Williams led with the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners: Arline Carrillo Absent: Staff Present: Joy Evans Alan Newman Shaunee Williams Susan Igoe, Chairperson Housing Program Manager: Bobbi Nunn APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of February 9, 2017, were approved as written. ITEM NOT ON AGENDA There were no items not on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Chairperson Newman brought the meeting to order. Bobbi Nunn, Housing Program Manager, gave a presentation of the Carlsbad Annual Public Housing Agency Plan. Chairperson Newman commented the $1915 for a two-bedroom, that sets the price that the rental has to be for Section 8. Ms. Nunn said that is what we will subsidize. If they had a two-bedroom voucher, and they were looking for a unit to rent, they would want to rent a place that was right at $1915 so they are not paying more than 30% of their income towards their rent. Chairperson Newman asked if the $1915 is supposed to include utilities. Ms. Nunn answered correct. Chairperson Newman asked can people rent for more than that and then just pay the difference. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES March 9, 2017 PAGE 2 of 4 Ms. Nunn answered within a limit. When they are first moving into a unit, they cannot pay more than 40% of their adjusted income toward their rent. That is a federal regulation. The rent and utility allowance needs to be factored in when we are looking at whether we can approve a higher rent when it is more than the payment standard. Chairperson Newman said if they keep it at the $1915, then the most they have to pay is 30%. Ms. Nunn answered correct. Chairperson Newman said then it can actually stretch their income. It will give them a little more leeway. Ms. Nunn said correct. It will give them a little more flexibility. Of course, it depends on what their income source is too. The more income the participant has coming in, then the higher their 10% is going to be, which gives them more flexibility in choosing a rental. Chairperson Newman said that was a big leap. Ms. Nunn said it was a very nice surprise. It has helped, especially in this very tight market. Commissioner Evans said she has a question. First thing, thank you for a wonderful presentation. My question is, the Seagrove Townhouses, six units for sale, what does that mean. I didn't know Section 8 could buy anything. Ms. Nunn answered actually it is not Section 8. Someone would have to be able to qualify on their own with their own income. It is not a Section 8 subsidized unit. They are the same thing as our affordable complexes, but once in a while we will have developers that will provide their requirement in a for sale product instead of a for rent product. For most of our affordable units, developers choose to do it in a for rent product. They can also get additional funds from the state and the federal government for tax credits. This one developer decided to do it as a for sale product. There are six units for sale. The prices are based on 80% of the median income. I am just throwing out numbers, but if something would be on the market selling for $550,000, but if you figured out the 80%, it may only be $200,000. Someone would have to be able to have enough income to qualify for that unit and be able to make that payment and make the associated costs and their costs can't exceed 30% of their income. It has nothing to do with the Rental Assistance Program. It is something that we report on to the Housing and Urban Development to advise them what we are doing as an agency and as a city to promote affordable housing besides the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program and affordable housing options. Chairperson Newman said thank you for the presentation. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve that the Housing Commission adopt Resolution No. 2017-002, recommending that the Community Development Commission approve the Carlsbad Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan for fiscal year 2017 for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Commissioner Carillo seconded the motion. VOTE: 4-0 AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Carrillo, Evans, Newman and Williams None None Igoe HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES March 9, 2017 PAGE 3 of 4 Ms. Nunn gave the Housing Commissioners a flyer about one of the affordable complexes, Juniper at the Preserve, which is the one in the Quarry Creek area. It will have 64 units. Commissioner Newman commented that is the one we approved about a year ago. Ms. Nunn said right. The flyer has their phone number and also information about their bedroom layouts. There is not a waiting list yet. This is just an interest list. Also, Debbie wanted to share with you information that was sent to the Mayor and City Council members regarding homelessness in Carlsbad. I believe that was a major topic of conversation at your last Housing Commission meeting. She asked me to share this briefing paper that is an Executive Summary with a strategy of what the city is looking to do regarding the homeless situation here in Carlsbad. Right now we were involved in the Point in Time count, which it was the first year we did that as a city itself. Marie Jones-Kirk in our office is the Community Services Coordinator and she initiated the City of Carlsbad doing their own Point in Time count. The Point in Time count happens every January, where we go out at 4 a.m. to count homeless people and count places that look like people are sleeping or if they are sleeping in cars. This is turned into the Regional Center, and then at the end of April they will actually tabulate all of that information and then advise us what they feel our numbers are for homelessness in Carlsbad. At that time, that information will be taken to City Council for direction on what they would like to do from that point. Commissioner Carrillo commented that she lives at Pacific Wind. The developer met at the school, Jefferson Elementary. Ms. Nunn asked which place is that. Is it the one where they are taking out the duplexes and putting in 93 units? Commissioner Carrillo said yes. I plan to stay unless I get a higher rent. The developer was really nice and told us what the future plans are. He said the plans are to help people find places starting in January. Ms. Nunn asked January 20187 Commissioner Carrillo said yes, the beginning of next year. Ms. Nunn added she wanted to advise the Commission about the Hiring Center. I am not sure if you are aware that the City of Carlsbad has had a Hiring Center for a while now. They recently changed contract and Interfaith Community Services is now in charge of the Hiring Center. Interfaith Community Services has a grand opening on April 6th. I wanted to give the Commission invitations to the grand opening. Not only is the Hiring Center moving out of the modular trailer that it was in over by the water building, it is moving in to a new location on Palmer Way, and they will also have case management, employment training, job readiness, ESL classes, Cal Fresh applications for people to apply; Cal Fresh is the new term for food stamps or a food supplement program, and then they will have storage for emergency food supplies and hygiene items for clients. In May of 2016, the City Council approved $600,000 of Community Block grant money to assist Interfaith with the property acquisition and the building that they are now in. It is easily accessible to residents from all over the city as it is just off of El Camino Real and Faraday. It is conveniently located by the bus route. We are excited about that, and it is down the street from La Posada de Guadalupe. That is all of the announcements. HOUSING COMMISSION M INUTES March 9, 2017 PAGE 4 of4 The Housing Commission for March 9, 2017, was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ULLJ:,w Deborah Fountain Housing & Neighborhood Services Director PATRICIA CRESCENTI, Minutes Clerk MINUTES ARE ALSO TAPED AND KEPT ON FILE UNTIL THE WRITIEN MINUTES ARE APPROVED.