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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-14; Housing Commission; MinutesMinutes of: Time of Meeting: SPECIAL HOUSING COMMISSION 6:00 P.M. Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: CALL TO ORDER NOV EM BER 14, 2017 COUNCIL CHAMBERS Acting Chairperson Newman called the Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Evans led with the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners: Arline Carrillo Joy Evans Absent: Staff Present: Alan Newman, Acting Chairperson Shaunee Williams Kristy Randall Interim Community & Economic Director: Debbie Fountain APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of March 9, 2017, were approved with one correction at the bottom of page 2, change the second "Williams" to "Carrillo." ITEM NOT ON AGENDA There were no items not on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Chairperson Newman brought the meeting to order. Elections were held for the Chairperson and the Co-Chairperson for the Housing Commission. Commissioner Williams moved to appoint Commissioner Newman as the new Chairperson, and Commission Carrillo seconded the motion. Commissioner Carrillo moved to appoint Commissioner Williams as the Co-Chairperson, and Commissioner Evans seconded the motion. In addition, a CDBG Advisor was needed to be appointed. Commissioner Williams moved to appoint Commissioner Evans as the new CDBG Advisor, and Commissioner Carrillo seconded the motion. Alan Newman -Chairperson Shawnee Williams -Co-Chairperson Joy Evans -CDBG Advisor Debbie Fountain, Interim Community & Economic Director, gave the presentation of the staff report on the City of Carlsbad Homeless Response Plan. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES N9vember 14, 2017 PAGE 2 of 5 Commissioner Carrillo commented that it is admirable how many people in the community are coming together in this effort. Commissioner Evans commented that so many of the homeless are mentally ill. She asked if they would be separated and going to a different place. Ms. Fountain said that staff has heard from some homeless that they feel they have become more mentally ill since becoming homeless. The mentally ill and those that are addicted are the most difficult cases. We need to work to get them into programs without having to force them. The housing first model is important because sometimes you need to get them housed first so they have a roof over their heads and a place to get a meal. Commissioner Evans asked how they are responding to this. She noticed that people in San Diego are hesitant to be part of the plan to house the homeless. Ms. Fountain said the City of Carlsbad is not actually proposing more shelters. We are trying to move towards permanent housing, such as a group home or apartment, rather than a temporary fix. We are not planning to make parking lots into shelters like San Diego is doing. We are trying to help them to move forward with a case manager and an action plan. We are going to look at alternatives for housing such as tiny homes; a different product that may be more transitional. We would hope that eventually as we get issues addressed, we could move them into an apartment or housing. The average cost of an apartment is $300,000; land, construction can be very high. We are trying to utilize other ways to come to that same point. A tiny home village may be an alternative. Shelters are just not possible sometimes because of the problems associated with shelte'rs. The smaller you are able to get with a home, the more affordable. We may look at prefab homes with pads donated because we have an inclusionary housing development. We will try to bring more partners together to help with job training for instance. Commissioner Carrillo commented that she has seen an interest in small housing. It is a win win. Ms. Fountain added that the State has just changed the rules for building the tiny homes. The state defines tiny homes as 400 square feet or less. Small homes are designated at 500 square feet or less. Another idea could be to buy an old hotel and convert the units. Commissioner Evans said you could use abandoned buildings. Ms. Fountain said you could use mixed use. In addition, there are a lot of second dwelling units in the city. We may be able to apply more pressure to homeowners to use them for an affordable unit. Commissioner Carrillo said she has seen so many people wanting to rent out their office space. Ms. Fountain added that years ago the city helped Solutions for Change with their apartment complex on Chestnut. We are trying to be more creative and working with developers to be more creative. With developers that have the inclusionary, we are asking them to accept rents at 30% to help the people who only receive social security. In the past, the city has been good at handing out pamphlets with HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES November 14, 2017 PAGE3of5 information, but now we want to have case managers to help serve as advocates. We did explain to the City Council that we cannot guarantee 100%, but this is a better answer. Commissioner Carrillo added it is more organized. Chairperson Newman said you will only be able to help those people who want to be helped. Ms. Fountain said we will focus on the easiest cases first. Chairperson Newman added that if we are successful, we may draw more people to Carlsbad. Ms. Fountain said we have been cautioned about that very issue. That is the reason we are not advertising about our plan. We are just focusing on Carlsbad's problem and we are not trying to help the whole region. Many people in the business know this is the direction we need to go in. We need to work with churches who already have something in place. Chairperson Newman asked if there is a quest for the current Commission to bless the fact that the Commission will be happy to participate. Carlsbad is almost built out so there will be less and less affordable housing. This gives this Commission a purpose. Ms. Fountain said it will be helpful to have a special workshop with the public and then the Housing Commission where we can invite the public also. The City Council was very supportive of this idea. You do not have to vote. You only need to let me know if you are opposed to this idea. Chairperson Newman made a motion that the Housing Commission participate. Commissioner Williams seconded the idea. All four of the Housing Commissioners are in favor. Ms. Fountain said our goal is to get as many people as possible aware. We are going to establish a protocol so no matter where a person comes into a city facility, they will know how to handle a person who has a meltdown and needs a mental health official or to call on the HOT team. We plan to have case workers who can help people in need with an action plan. Commissioner Carrillo asked if there are two police officers. Ms. Fountain said we have three officers responding in the past, but now we are expanding that. We have people in our department who go out with the police officers and are able to talk with the people. Kerry Jezisek will be working with the police on encampments. She has had some success in being able to get someone living in the encampment to the hospital as well as connecting with professionals who can help them. We actually have quite a few homeless individuals who come into City Hall. We have been able to house a number of them through our Rental Assistance Program. We need to help the homeless understand where the resources are to help them. Commissioner Carrillo said communication is important. Commissioner Evans added that she has a brother who needs extra help and that process can be overwhelming. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES November 14, 2017 PAGE 4 of 5 Ms. Fountain added that when you are already distressed, one more thing in your brain can be overwhelming. We have even discussed having homeless advocates to assist them with their plan. Commissioner Evans commented that is good. Ms. Fountain sa id we are trying to be more creative. Commissioner Evans said a bunch of brochures do not help if you aren't ab le to use them. Ms. Fountain commented that we do not have emergency assistance in our department, though we do try and direct them to the correct place. Our hope is to be focused in our effort. We would like to contract with one organization that w ill help us with motels and other services as well as have a specific action. There are new changes with how cities develop affordable housing, and it is beginning to take away the authority from the cities. We are having an attorney come to the city on December 4 and 5, 2017, Barbara Katz from Goldfarb and Lipman. In the morning of December 4 th, she will be meeting with staff to discuss the new changes. In the evening of December 4th, she will be meeting with the public to give the same presentation and this will be at the Faraday Building. On December 5th from 3 to 5 p.m. we will be having a joint Planning Commission and City Council to hear the presentation. We would like for the Housing Commission to attend if possible for either the afternoon presentation on December 4th at Faraday· or the afternoon presentation at the City Council on December 5th. Commissioner Evans asked if they are both at Faraday. Ms. Fountain clarified that the one on December 5th will be in the Council Chambers and the one on December 4th will be at Faraday. We would like to have you as a Housing Commission attend one of them to listen in the audience. We will be sending out notices of these presentations. Our City Attorney felt it was important to have experts come in and explain the new changes. Chairperson Newman said the problem is when the builder or developer presents, the people in the city may not want that. He added that the City Council must have a backbone and they cannot fold. Ms. Fountain said the City Council can blame it on the State even if they wanted to approve it. The rea l estate fees probably will not make people happy. It was proposed 10 years ago, but it has taken this long to get approved. Th ere are other funding so urces that aren't as controversial. The Special Housing Commission for November 14, 2017, was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Fountain Housing & Neighborhood Services Director HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES November 14, 2017 PAGE 5 of 5 PATRICIA CRESCENTI, Minutes Clerk MINUTES ARE ALSO TAPED AND KEPT ON FILE UNTIL THE WRITTEN MINUTES ARE APPROVED.