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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-11; Housing Commission; MinutesMinutes of: Time of Meeting: Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: CALL TO ORDER HOUSING COMMISSION 6:00P.M. SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 COUNCIL CHAMBERS Acting Chairperson lgoe called the Meeting to order at 6:00p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Debbie Fountain led with the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Staff Present: Commissioners: Brian Andrews Emelda Bradwell Susan lgoe Craig Kirk Bobbie Smith Housing & Neighborhood Services Director: Debbie Fountain APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of March 13, 2014, meeting were postponed until the next meeting since there was not a quorum from the people who were present at the March 13, 2014, meeting. ITEM NOT ON AGENDA There were no items not on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Debbie Fountain, Director of Housing & Neighborhood Services, gave a presentation to the Housing Commission of Solutions for Change, requesting $2,890,000 in financial assistance for acquisition of existing apartment units at 945 Chestnut Avenue in the northwest quadrant of the city for graduate homeless families of the Solutions for Change University. Commissioner Andrews commented that it sounds like a terrific program. He asked if it was permanent housing. Ms. Fountain answered yes, they will be able to stay there long term. In most of the affordable housing developments if you start to become over income, then we would want them to move out to make the unit available for someone else who is in need. The only restrictions are related to income. This project will be managed by Solutions for Change, not the city. Commissioner Andrews asked about the existing tenants; do they stay for the remainder of their lease? HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES September 11, 2014 PAGE 2 of3 Ms. Fountain said yes, they are entitled to relocation benefits. Initially there were only four families impacted as they are over income. There will be 12 in Phase 3 when they receive additional money to relocate those families. If their lease expires, they are still entitled to relocation money. Commissioner Bradwell commented that it is an excellent project. She asked if the Housing Office will be involved in case management services or will Solutions for Change be responsible for helping the tenants with strategies for sustaining a home and not becoming homeless in the future. Ms. Fountain answered that SFC does the case management. They follow through the transitional shelter, and they will be owned by Solutions for Change. They continue to do case management. They did this in the Vista project. If the tenants have problems or concerns, SFC will work with them, including job training, job education and basic life skills. Commissioner Bradwell asked is housing contingent upon successfully completing the program? Ms. Fountain said when they enter the program, they take them through their University Program and they are living in the transitional shelter in Vista. Once they graduate, Solutions moves them into permanent affordable housing and that is what these types of projects are used for. If they solve the homelessness problem, then it would be a standard affordable housing project like the others. Commissioner Bradwell asked if the city will offer an accelerated section 8 program to clients or would they apply on their own? Ms. Fountain said they still have to apply separately. The purpose of this project is to help those families coming in with restricted rent. They will have adequate jobs if something were to happen, SFC would provide those services. If we open the Section 8 list, they would have the ability to apply. If they set the rent at SO%, the families will be able to afford it. The goal is to get them into housing and have them start paying rent. Commissioner Bradwell recommended the city approve Resolution No. 2014-003 to the City Council to provide up to $2,890,000 in financial assistance from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Housing Trust Funds for the Solutions for Change's acquisition of a 16 unit existing apartment complex at 945 Chestnut Avenue to be subsequently rent restricted to be affordable to lower income homeless families who have successfully completed the Solutions for Change University. Commissioner Andrews seconded. VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: 3-0 Andrews, Bradwell and lgoe None None Kirk and Smith DIRECTOR'S REPORT-Ms. Fountain said she has a couple of things to share. First, Carolyn Harding Project is moving forward and will have their application in within the next few months. The Coastal Commission approved the density. They are going to do a tax credit project as well, probably a two phase approach HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES September 11, 2014 PAGE 3 of 3 because it is difficult to get that money and a challenge for them to get all the property they need. They now own all but one of the duplexes. The remaining one they do not need to make it work. We are starting to see development of housing pick up. There are smaller projects than we have had in the past because new development being built is smaller. The vacancy rate is really low in Carlsbad, less than 2%. That makes it really hard to find housing in Carlsbad, especially affordable housing. The nationwide vacancy rate is low too, at about 5%. ADJOURNMENT By proper motion, the meeting of September 11, 2014, was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Fountain Housing & Neighborhood Services Director PATRICIA CRESCENT! Minutes Clerk MINUTES ARE ALSO TAPED AND KEPT ON FILE UNTIL THE WRITIEN MINUTES ARE APPROVED.