HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCDC 10.21.16.pdf
AGENDA
Housing and Community Development Commission
Thursday, October 21, 2016 – 6:30 P.M.
Helling Conference Room, City Hall
410 East Washington Street
1. Call meeting to order
2. Approval of the September 15, 2016 minutes
3. Public comment for topics not on the agenda
4. Discuss recent inspection findings at CHARM Homes property
5. Discuss $100,000 in surplus CDBG funds
6. Consider amendments to FY2016-2020 CITY STEPS
7. Discuss education and outreach objectives in the Affordable Housing Action
Plan
a. Facilitate tenants’ ability to report housing code violations
b. Promote benefits of subsidized housing programs to landlords and developers
8. Staff/Commission Comment
9. Adjournment
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 – 6:30 PM DALE HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Peter Byler, Syndy Conger, Christine Harms, Bob Lamkins, Harry Olmstead, Dorothy Persson, Emily Seiple, Paula Vaughan MEMBERS ABSENT: John McKinstry
STAFF PRESENT: Kris Ackerson, Steve Rackis
OTHERS PRESENT: Shawn McRoberts
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
By a vote of 8-0 the Commission recommends approval all proposed amendments to the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan.
CALL TO ORDER:
Byler called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
NOMINATE AND ELECT OFFICERS (CHAIR/VICE CHAIR):
Persson nominated Byler to continue as the Chair. Seiple seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-0.
Byler next called for nominations for Vice Chair. The previous Vice Chair was Jim Jacobson who left the Commission earlier in the year and was not replaced. Persson noted that she replaced Jacobson as the
Vice Chair.
Olmstead nominated Persson as Vice Chair. Conger seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 8-0.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 18, 2016 MINUTES:
Persson noted a misspelling of her name in the minutes.
Seiple anticipated recommendation #6 was to read “actively pursue.” Seiple also noted on recommendation #14 and #15 should include tenant or landlord education. Byler noted that there was
mention of education in recommendation #12 which was one of the Commissions priorities “Create an education program to promote the benefits of subsidized housing projects to landlords/developers.”
Persson questioned recommendation #15 and had thought something was going to be added to the minutes that would show what the simpler language was going to be. Ackerson noted that the memo that
went to the City Council had specified that but it will be up to the City Manager to craft the final document. Vaughn said it is noted in the minutes that simpler language should be used. Ackerson noted it will be a
policy that will need to be crafted. Harms asked if that policy would come to the Commission. Ackerson replied that no, the recommendations that the Commission sent to the Council will be considered at their
next meeting on September 20. Persson asked if the Commission would see the final document. Ackerson noted it would be in the City Packet and could be reviewed there.
Housing and Community Development Commission September 15, 2016 Page 3 of 11
Olmstead moved to approve the minutes of August 18, 2016 with the edits. Harms seconded the motion. A vote was taken and motion passed 8-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TOPICS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
Shawn McRoberts (St. Mark’s United Methodist Church) stated he was present because he was very interested in what this Commission was doing and was present to learn more.
PUBLIC MEETING & APPROVAL OF THE FY16 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE & EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) – ONLINE AT WWW.ICGOV.ORG/ACTIONPLAN:
Byler opened the public hearing.
Ackerson passed out one of the reports that did not make it into the PDF packet. The report summarizes
how the money was spent last year and how much was rolled over for the next year. The report also has a list of the various projects broken down by the type. Ackerson also noted that the format that is online is
a new template the HUD has created online so there are lot of quirks with the layout.
Byler asked if there were anything particular that Ackerson would recommend the Commission spend time reviewing. Ackerson replied that most of the document is just summary of what the Government
requires, the tables are the most beneficial to review are on pages 35, 36 and 37. Those tables are a list of the CBDG and HOME projects that the City completed so it is a good summary to see what actually got
done.
Conger said at previous meetings the Commission had asked for distinction of what monies were used for owner-occupied versus rentals. Ackerson said that information is in the report. Ackerson said he would
find those tables and send them to the Commission.
Byler closed the public hearing. Conger moved to approve the FY16 Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER) with minor typo edits. Olmstead seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion
carried 8-0.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF PROJECT MONITORING VISITS IN FY17:
Byler noted that the schedule is in the Commission’s packets. Ackerson noted that he outlined the dates that he will ask the grant recipients to present. In the past the Commissioners would sign up to go out and
see the projects themselves, but that was hard to schedule so the partners come to a meeting to present.
Olmstead questioned if the Commission could not do both. Ackerson said that was acceptable, noting that the Commissioners are all welcome to contact the recipients and go visit the sites.
Byler suggested that the entities come to the meetings and present and then if there are particular
projects the Commission would like to visit that can be set up after the presentation. Seiple agreed that would work well.
Byler asked if Ackerson could add to his memo on each line the amount awarded to each entity and a
description of the project.
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UPDATES AND AMENDMENTS TO THE IOWA CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY’S HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (HCVP) ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN:
Rackis from the Iowa City Housing Authority stated that this agenda item had previously been on an
earlier meeting’s agenda but he pulled it thinking they would be adding some items to the discussion, but never did. Rackis also noted he thought the meeting was next Thursday so that is the date he gave to the
Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board so their absence here tonight is not a lack of enthusiasm for their own project, it was due to Rackis relaying misinformation. Rackis stated that
everyone is excited about the FUSE (Frequent Users System Engagement) Housing First initiative and noted he has been on the steering committee for about two years and they came up with this Special
Admission as a way to help with the cash flow of the project. The individuals that this project is discussing may ultimately qualify for social security or social security disability but they have not been in one place
long enough to apply and go through the application process. Rackis noted that is the problem with chronic homeless, some of these individuals have come to the top of the waiting list five times but they
never follow through with the paperwork. Rackis also said that instead of tying the voucher to the unit they encouraged the FUSE project to go with Special Admission because they are optimistic that if they house
someone first and provide the services then maybe someone can move on transitional housing or supportive community living or even independent living they would then have a voucher to take with them
to ensure that housing is affordable. The FUSE project would then make another referral for that person that moved out.
Rackis noted that the Housing Authority only as 1215 vouchers and cannot go over, but there is always
turnover and attrition which averages out to be about 200 per year to go to people on the waiting list. Rackis explained that even if they are at 100% they are still going to issue a voucher because at the end
of the calendar year it should even out. It is in fact a gamble but it hasn’t been a risk.
Byler declared he has no issues with the changes to the language but does question how many homeless people there are in Iowa City. The memo just states FUSE assists chronically homeless individuals who
are the most frequent users of high cost services at public expense. These individuals:
a. Continuously cycle through a variety of social and public services. b. Experience chronic homelessness and are a small fraction of the overall homeless population (4-
5%). c. Have complex behavioral and social challenges that make it difficult for them to succeed in
traditional services.
Byler notes that implies that there are 300 homeless people in Iowa City if they are building thirteen FUSE units. Rackis informed that there would be 24 units. Byler concedes then that implies that there are 700 or
so homeless in Iowa City. Lamkins stated he read the 4-5% as 4-5% of the homeless population, not the City’s population. Byler agreed but if 4-5% of the homeless would fill 24 units, that would mean the
homeless population is 500-600 which seems astonishing.
Persson stated that the City tries to count the number of homeless each year and if Crissy Canganelli (from the Shelter House) was here she would likely have that data as they help between 700 and 900
people at the shelter every year.
Rackis stated he took the language from the FUSE brochure. The goal is to have 24 units and the Coordinating Board had determined that maybe 10 will meet 100% of the FUSE criteria. Based upon the
zoning change that City Council passed the architect was able to expand from an 8-12 unit building to a 24 unit building. Rackis contends that what Crissy Canganelli would confirm is that there are 8-10 people
that will hit all of the FUSE criteria (such as the monetary criteria) and the other people that will be referred to them may not hit the monetary criteria but they will hit the other criteria in terms of that they
had multiple contact with law enforcement, multiple contact with University Hospitals and Clinics, multiple contact with mental health, etc.
Olmstead mentioned a program being put together by the County for mental health where they are going
to do substance intervention and asked if the City has been involved with that at all. Rackis is not aware
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of that initiative. Olmstead also noted that this morning there was a report on poverty in the United States from the Census Bureau which concluded what states and cities were high and low in poverty, Iowa City
was not on either end of that list but right in the middle.
Rackis stated that he can give Ackerson copies of the brochure that the FUSE project created to help clarify what some of the numbers mean. Rackis noted that when the School District counts, even families
that are doubled up, they don’t get a count of 700.
Persson said she would like to know that number, noting that she has volunteered at the Shelter House and in the winter/wet shelter so she feels that it could be a high number. Rackis confirmed that the winter
overflow shelter did have numbers up to 120 people and Shelter House at 70 was full so that is already 200.
Seiple asked if this definition supersedes the locational (residency) preference. Rackis confirmed that this
is a Special Admissions, and likely the 24 individuals that will be referred to them are “living” in Iowa City – they don’t have a legal domicile but they are living here.
Seiple also asked if differentiating for the people that will get vouchers that they can carry after this or
having project based vouchers affects the funding then. Rackis replied that there will not be and that their funding is based on two things, one is voucher utilization because they cannot go over the 1,215 so part
of it is unit based but part is budget based. If they spent $16.9 million in calendar year 2016 then they can anticipate what HUD will give them for calendar year 2017.
Rackis is very excited about this FUSE project, his understanding is they plan to purchase the site by the
end of September and then it’s just a matter of putting all the funding in place and building.
Persson asked how Shelter House’s Lodge Program fit into this program. Rackis replied that they are supporting individuals in the lodges with vouchers.
Byler questioned that when the FUSE facility opens 24 people will come to the top of the list so if
someone is on the waiting list it will likely be for six weeks or so until placement. Rackis said if they get 24 referrals on impact that will make a very minimal impact on someone on the waiting list. When working
with the waiting lists they usually take 100 people off at a time, the usual rule of thumb is if 100 are offered, about 50 will respond.
Olmstead asked if there was any minimal time of residency required. Rackis responded that HUD allows
housing authorities as a local preference to have residency preferences but there cannot be a residency requirement.
Olmstead asked if there would be any special consideration for Veterans. Rackis said there wouldn’t be
however there will be referrals and they can add a Veterans preference, but the need hasn’t yet been identified. Persson noted that a lot of Veterans get help at Shelter House because they do have a
Veterans program.
Olmstead moves to recommend approval of all proposed amendments to the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan. Lamkins seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion
passed 8-0.
UPDATE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANT PROGRAM WITH AMERICORPS AND MIDAMERICAN:
Ackerson wanted to notify the Commission that the City is working on this new project partnering with AmeriCorps. This is a project operated out of UNI that have set up teams in communities that spend a
year visiting cities conducting energy audits of all the publically-city owned housing units. Ackerson noted this will be great for the tenants because the improvements that are made can help reduce utility bills.
This group will conduct what is known as “blower door” test where they try to find leaks in windows, doors and foundations and fixing those. They will be replacing lighting, checking the furnace and air conditioning
Housing and Community Development Commission September 15, 2016 Page 6 of 11
units, and then make a list of things that the City can do after fact (like adding insulation into the walls or attics or replacing doors, etc.).
Vaughn questioned if any inefficient appliances will be part of the review or faulty plumbing. Ackerson
replied that he is not sure about the plumbing but he will find out, as also with the appliances.
UPDATE FROM CITY ATTORNEY REGARDING CRIME FREE ADDENDUM:
Byler noted the response (in the agenda packet) from Susan Dulek, Assistant City Attorney, was very thorough and thanked the City Attorney for that work.
Persson asserted her concern because this was presented to them but were not give motivation as to
what presented to them. Seiple stated she was the one that requested this information. Persson understood the conversation but feels that if there are problems with a landlord using this addendum too
much they should have a right to respond and there should be fairness. Byler noted that this memo was meant to clarify fairness and non-discrimination for all tenants, but especially for those projects receiving
city assisted funds.
Byler noted that perhaps if this Commission wants to pursue this topic perhaps as a future meeting agenda item for perhaps an email address compliant system for people who feel they have been wrongly
treated with regards to a crime-free addendum in a lease. It could be treated similarly has the Human Rights Commission complaints where Staff would follow up.
DISCUSS HOW HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION WANTS TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE:
Byler began by reiterating the current policy that the Commission has is if anyone wants information
included into the Commission’s packets, which comes out a week before the meeting, has to forward that information to Ackerson. Byler stated that items can always be passed out at the meetings, but the policy
is to not pass out any new information at a meeting and act on it at that meeting. It needs to be placed on a future agenda. If information becomes available between the week of the packet distribution and the
meeting date, it still needs to be sent to Ackerson to be distributed.
Ackerson noted that because this Commission allocates funding it is important for the Commission to be as transparent as possible and the City will not distribute materials to the Commission without also
making them available to the public. Ackerson said he has been considering adding a correspondence item to each agenda because there are people who find articles that are housing related either locally or
nationally. That way if they are on the agenda there is an opportunity to discuss them if people want to, but they are not action items.
Olmstead asks that Staff not censor anything that the Commission gives to be added to the packet.
UPDATE ON PUBLIC INPUT BEING SOUGHT REGARDING CITY STEPS:
Ackerson explained that every year the Commission tries to do outreach to the community and get additional input and identify if there are any changes that need to be made to CITY STEPS (the five-year
plan) and identity if there are any new priorities. Tracy Hightshoe is meeting with folks in Mobile Hospital today and then later this month on the 28th Ackerson will visit IC Compassion, which works with refugees,
so if anyone is interested in going with Ackerson let him know. Staff will bring the feedback from these visits to the Commissions next meeting. At the October meeting the Commission will also have the
opportunity to propose any amendments to the Plan they might have.
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STAFF/COMMISSION COMMENT:
Seiple noted that she attended the Iowa Finance Authority Conference in Des Moines last Wednesday
and saw the presentation Crissy Canganelli on the Lodge Project, the FUSE project, and the new zoning that is facilitating that project.
Olmstead declared he is in need of volunteers for Election Day. There is a group that will provide
transportation to persons with disabilities to the precincts but they would like persons at the precincts to greet them.
Byler noted that in the last round of applications to this Commission a person stated that they feel they
would be a good person to be added to this Commission and that prompted Byler to send an email to the Mayor noting his opinion is in disagreement. That email was released through an open records request,
so Byler just wanted to make everyone aware. ADJOURNMENT:
Olmstead moved to adjourn. Seiple seconded the motion. A vote was taken and motion carried 8-0.
Housing and Community Development Commission Attendance Record
Name Terms Exp. 10/22 11/19 1/21 2/18 3/10 4/21 5/19 6/16 8/18 9/15
Byler, Peter 7/1/17 X X X X X X X X X X
Conger, Syndy 7/1/18 O/E X X X O/E X O/E O/E X X
Harms, Christine 7/1/19 --- --- --- --- --- --- X X X X
Lamkins, Bob 7/1/19 X X X X X O/E X O/E O/E X
McKinstry, John 7/1/17 --- --- --- --- --- --- X X O/E O/E
Olmstead, Harry 7/1/18 --- --- X X X X X X X X
Persson, Dottie 7/1/17 X X X O/E X O/E X X X X
Seiple, Emily 7/1/18 X X X X X X X X X X
Vaughan, Paula 7/1/19 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- X X
Key:
X = Present O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Vacant
Date: September 8, 2016
To: Housing and Community Development Commission From: Community Development Staff
Re: October 20 Meeting
The following is a short description of the agenda items. If you have any questions about the agenda, or if you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Kris Ackerson at 356-5247 or
Kristopher-Ackerson@Iowa-City.org.
Discuss recent inspection findings at CHARM Homes property
The City Council and HCDC members received correspondence (enclosed) regarding a unit owned by CHARM Homes LLC, which received federal funds to acquire the property for SRO
units. Stan Laverman, City Housing Inspector, will attend to answer questions, if any. Update on $100,000 surplus CDBG funds
Due to program income and carryover funds, the City has a surplus of approximately $100,000
in CDBG funds available to program. The funds will be added to FY18 allocated this winter.
Consider amendments to FY2016-2020 CITY STEPS Staff met with clients at Iowa City Compassion and the mobile health clinic at Pheasant Ridge. The input received is attached.
Discuss education and outreach objectives in the Affordable Housing Action Plan As part of the Affordable Housing Action Plan, we intend to address the following objectives: 1)
facilitate tenants’ ability to report housing code violations; and 2) promote benefits of
subsidized housing programs to landlords and developers. We will discuss opportunities to addresses these objectives.
2016 CITY STEPS ANNUAL REVIEW
IC Compassion
Church of the Nazarene
September 28, 2016 – 6:45PM
Approximately 30 people in attendance
City Staff: Kris Ackerson
Comments Received:
1. Bus Services
Currently, there is no service provided on Sundays or late at night. Transfers also make it
very time‐consuming to get from one place to another. These issues are difficult for
people that work 2nd and 3rd shift.
2. Clearinghouse and/or website
It is difficult to find information. It would be useful to have one website or one place to go
to find out about all of the available services. City staff discussed the Johnson County
public services directory and shared the web address. However, Iowa City Compassion
staff said the directory does not provide filters that would be helpful for immigrant
website users.
3. Language Barrier
Signs, services, city websites, and many services are only in English. The languages
spoken at the meeting include Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, Swahili,
Laotian, Japanese, and Portuguese.
4. Driver's License
It is currently difficult and humiliating to try and get a driver's license. The DMV is not
accommodating for people with language barriers.
5. Housing
Availability, accessibility, affordability
6. Legal Assistance
When and where are services provided? City staff discussed the following resources:
Human Rights Commission humanrights@iowa-city.org If you have been discriminated against in the workplace, when looking for housing, etc., you may contact them. Legal Assistance When: 2nd Tuesday of every month Time: 5:30 PM Location: Iowa City Compassion Immigration Law Services When: Every Tuesday and Wednesday Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Location: Iowa City Compassion 7. Complicated Forms It is difficult and time-consuming to try and fill out necessary forms and paperwork. It would helpful if there volunteers available to help immigrants complete documents.
Mobile Health Clinic
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County September 15, 2016 – 6PM Approximately four families in attendance City Staff: Tracy Hightshoe
Comments Received:
• Mental health awareness for people of color
• Financial literacy for young people – high school to 21
• Housing expensive in Iowa City, need units with lower rents
• Transportation is not very convenient as does not go to certain places like S. Riverside Drive and does not run fully on weekends – no Sunday service
• Need affordable childcare
October 3, 2016
Dear Iowa City Council Members,
My husband and I are writing to share our experiences and judgment regarding the care that Bruce
Teague and his CHARM home provided as a landlord to the property at 1804 Lakeside Dr, Iowa City. My
mother was the first resident in that home and lived there until she died in May 2015. I was in the home
on a daily basis, dropping in at different times of the day. Every time we visited, you could tell that Bruce
and his staff had been attentive to the needs of the residents and the building in which they lived. The
grounds were always well cared for, the interior was always very clean. We never had any problems
with the upkeep of the home. We knew the residents, both on the main floor and in the basement, and
never heard a complaint from any of them. I recall there was a plumbing issue at some point (I don’t
recall the date), but it arose on a weekend, and it was resolved that day.
It is unimaginable to us that Bruce would not go above and beyond any expectation in caring for the
home in which his clients live. Bruce’s love and concern for his clients was always evident. The
difference that living in that home made in my mother’s quality of life was immeasurable and we will
always be grateful for the love and attention that Bruce and his staff showed my mother and the other
residents.
I don’t know the particulars of the matter before the Council, but based on my years of experience
dealing with Bruce and his CHARM home, I am 100% confident that if there was a problem, the ONLY
reason it wasn’t fixed immediately was that Bruce was not informed of the nature of the problem. It is
not in Bruce’s character to risk the well-being of his residents – the desire to give them top quality care
is what drew Bruce into this line of work in the first place. Bruce played no part in composing this letter,
it is based solely on our own independent judgment.
Please feel free to contact either of us if you have any questions. You can reach me at 319-331-8960 and
my husband Cary at 319-331-5830.
Sincerely,
Cathy and Cary Covington
2755 Hickory Trail
Iowa City IA 52245
ccovington425@gmail.com