HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-30-2004
IOWA CITY SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASKFORCE
MEETING AGENDA
30 August 2004
City Hall, Lobby Conference Room
5:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes from August 16,2004
3. Presentation by University of Iowa - Phil Jones
4. Presentation by Iowa City Area Homebuilders Association
5. Presentation by Heather MacDonald, Professor, Urban & Regional Planning
6. Adjourmnent
Description of Research Materials Distributed on August 16. 2004
Item A
Item B
Item C
Item D
Item E
Item F
Item G
Item H
Item I
Item J
Item K
Item L
Item M
Item N
Item 0
Item P
Item Q
Item R
Item S
Item T
Item U
Item V
Item W
Item X
Item Y
Item Z
Deconstructing "Deconcentration"
Expanding Affordable Housing, Inelusionary Zoning
Evaluating Inelusionary Zoning Policies
Field Guide to Inelusionary Zoning
The Effects of Subsidized Housing on Communities
KnowledgePlex Week in Review: various artieles
Exclusionary Zoning and the Fair Share Doctrine
Issues Associated with the Imposition of Inelusionary Zoning
Developing a Fair Share Housing Policy for Florida
Newspaper Articles/Other Materials
Expanding Housing Options through Inelusionary Zoning
Burlington Zoning Ordinance
Affordable Housing and Smart Growth
Affordable Housing is the Law in One North Carolina Town
Housing Planning
The Fair Housing Act (New Jersey)
Smart Growth Solutions
Inclusionary Zoning: A Viable Solution to the Affordable Hsg Crisis?
Inelusionary Zoning: Pros and Cons
City Changes Policy to Promote Assisted Housing (Charlotte)
Inelusionary Zoning: Some Doubts
Consider Compact Lot as Affordable Housing Option
Design of Affordable Housing: The Return ofthe Homestead
City of Raleigh Scattered Site Policy
Housing Choice Vouchers Location Patterns
Scattered Site Housing: Characteristics and Consequences
IOWA CITY SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASKFORCE
AMENDED AGENDA
30 August 2004
City Hall, Lobby Conference Room
5:00 p.m.
I. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes from August 2, 2004 and August 16,2004
3. Presentation by University ofIowa - Phil Jones
4. Presentation by Iowa City Area Homebuilders Association
5. Presentation by Heather MacDonald, Professor, Urban & Regional Planning
6. Adjourmnent
Description of Research Materials Distributed on August 16. 2004
Item A
Item B
Item C
Item D
Item E
Item F
Item G
Item H
Item I
Item J
Item K
Item L
Item M
Item N
Item 0
Item P
Item Q
Item R
Item S
Item T
Item U
Item V
Item W
Item X
Item Y
Item Z
Deconstructing "Deconcentration"
Expanding Affordable Housing, Inelusionary Zoning
Evaluating Inclusionary Zoning Policies
Field Guide to Inelusionary Zoning
The Effects of Subsidized Housing on Communities
KnowledgePlex Week in Review: various artieles
Exelusionary Zoning and the Fair Share Doctrine
Issues Associated with the Imposition of Inelusionary Zoning
Developing a Fair Share Housing Policy for Florida
Newspaper Artieles/Other Materials
Expanding Housing Options through Indusionary Zoning
Burlington Zoning Ordinance
Affordable Housing and Smart Growth
Affordable Housing is the Law in One North Carolina Town
Housing Planning
The Fair Housing Act (New Jersey)
Smart Growth Solutions
Inelusionary Zoning: A Viable Solution to the Affordable Hsg Crisis?
Inelusionary Zoning: Pros and Cons
City Changes Policy to Promote Assisted Housing (Charlotte)
Inclusionary Zoning: Some Doubts
Consider Compact Lot as Affordable Housing Option
Design of Affordable Housing: The Return of the Homestead
City of Raleigh Scattered Site Policy
Housing Choice Vouchers Location Patterns
Scattered Site Housing: Characteristics and Consequences
MINUTES
SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASKFORCE
AUGUST 2, 2004
SENIOR CENTER, LOWER LEVEL CLASSROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Anciaux, Jerry Anthony, Darlene Clausen, Matthew Hayek,
Jan Leff, Joan VandenBerg
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jan Peterson, Sally Stutsman
STAFF PRESENT:
Steve Nasby, Steve Rackis
OTHERS PRESENT:
Charles Eastham, Gerry Klien
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Hayek called the meeting to order at 5:07 pm.
Approval of Julv 12. 2004 and Julv 19. 2004 Minutes:
MOTION: A motion was made by Leff, seconded by Clausen to approve the July 12 Minutes as
presented and to approve the Juiy 19 Minutes, as revised. The Motion carried 6-0.
Review of Iowa Waoe Survev Data
Rackis said that he previously worked at Workforce of Iowa for several years. He provided an explanation
and review of the wage data presented in the meeting packets. In 2002, Workforce of Iowa developed the
wage survey. Adjustments to the cost index were made to the fourth quarter of 2003. When the report
was printed, the 75% and 90% percentile wage columns were accidentally cut-off. Rackis has the
information if anyone would like to review it. The NACIS codes were used as the basis for the job
classifications. Entry level wages in Iowa City are likely to be $7.00 to $8.00 per hour average.
Experienced wage, on average, was the upper 67% of wages.
VandenBerg asked if this could be compared to State or Federal information. Rackis said it was possible
to do a comparison. Jim Van Sayak would be the contact person, and Deb Osten for Workforce
Development.
Rackis said wages don't tend to adjust by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) but adjust with the market. He
said that there are usually big jumps up or down. Quarterly data from payroll reports submitted to the
State, for the unemployment insurance program, generally show this type of information.
Hayek asked if this was for just Iowa City or the whole Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Rackis said
that the information was for Johnson County that is the MSA. Nasby noted that the Iowa City MSA now
includes Washington County as of June 2003. Rackis said that he was unaware of that addition, so the
information presented is not for the current MSA.
Rackis said that the labor unions in Johnson County get credit for contributing information for the wages
survey. Rackis said that when one is relating jobs to housing the basic question is "Do people travel great
distances to take lower paying retail type jobs?" He thought that the answer was "Yes", when is a large,
new business is coming into an area (e.g. Coral Ridge Mall); however, after these retail centers are
staffed and up an running they are not attracting a large segment of new people to the area. He noted
that a large number of the people that would relocate for a retail type of job have sketchy job histories, are
looking for a "fresh" start or take one job to consolidate several part-time jobs.
Anciaux asked if this information was a follow-up to the statement by Shelter House. Hayek said he
believed it was in response to a question asked of Sheiter House to "what was the triggering event" for
the increase in homeless persons in the area when Crissy said Coral Ridge Mall and Wal-Mart were the
events.
Anciaux asked if Coral Ridge Mall and Wal-Mart still draw people to the area or was She iter House talking
about the homeless persons already here?
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
August2,2004
Page 2
Rackis said Crissy had been asked what date or event triggered the increase in need. She said Coral
Ridge Mall. Clausen said Hy-Vee was a major employer as listed on the sheet too.
In response to a question, Rackis said the Iowa City Community School District is not included in the data
he provided due to them not being covered by the State's unemployment insurance program.
Hayek said the total UI employment number equals the top 25 other employers combined, and they were
not on the list either. Anciaux said Proctor and Gamble was not included on the list, as they don't have a
top 20 impact in Region 10.
VandenBerg said she didn't want to get off track as Coral Ridge Mall caused the problem. It was the
national economy. Rackis said in the 1990's, the job market was tight and now it is a bit different with a
slightly higher number of unemployed persons.
Hayek inquired about Iowa City unemployment versus State and National rates. Rackis said Iowa City
always has the lowest unemployment rate of those three. He said the State is higher than Iowa City, and
the Federal rate is higher than the State unemployment rate.
Hayek inquired regarding Iowa City's average wage versus the rest of the State. Did a tighter job market
equate to a higher wage rate? Rackis said that statement was correct.
VandenBerg said Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) data showed $40,060 in wages for
households in Johnson County versus $39,469 as the State average. Rackis said the largest employers
in the area were the University of Iowa, ICCSD, and these are your highest wage jobs, which is why Iowa
City is higher than the State averages.
Hayek said service jobs were the ones to compare versus State or other City's wages. VandenBerg said
she had looked through Iowa City numbers of jobs and wages for comparisons. Rackis said the wage
data was provided to them for Johnson and Linn counties. He cautioned that the Quarterly Report was
only a snap shot of current conditions.
VandenBerg said the percentage of househoids getting public assistance was lower in ICCSD than
throughout the State and a higher percentage of people were working. Clausen said she believes it
showed that persons who are homeless are also working.
Rackis added that some numbers from the Iowa City Housing Authority show that a higher percent of
Section 8 and Public Housing households (Iowa City program) have an income from wages at a rate that
is higher than State and Federal averages.
Iowa Citv Housina Authoritv - Update
(Handouts were included in the information packet)
Rackis said that this was in response to the taskforce's questions about where active participants lived
when they were admitted into the program and their state of residence when they originally applied.
Active applicants: Hayek asked why were there so few moving into housing in the last couple of quarters
or had there been a drop off in participants? Rackis said that turnover in the programs had decreased so
fewer new people are moving in. He said that 77 new households were admitted between January 1 and
June 30, 2004.
Hayek inquired regarding applications that had been received and if that information was available.
Rackis said yes, they were listed in the last four pages of the hand out.
VandenBerg asked if only there had been only four applicants in 2002. Rackis said the data reflected the
active list Q!l]y. it was not a total of all applicants from that quarter. Some names had been dropped off the
list when it had been cleaned up. VandenBerg inquired if an inclusive list was available. Rackis said just
the "total" column.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
August2,2004
Page 3
Hayek asked how many applicants were in this quarter. Rackis said 177 in the second quarter of 2004.
Clausen said the eight listed for the third quarter of 2004 was only for the time period of July 1 to July 20,
2004.
Hayek said it looked like they still lost in these numbers. Rackis said the information was on the quarter in
which they applied. Hayek asked if they received housing or were they on a wait list? Rackis said they
were on a waiting list.
Hayek noted that he was not seeking differences between the wait list versus total numbers of applicants.
He wanted a total all households applying. Nasby said these sheets show different things. He clarified
that only people up to December 31, 2002 were processed, meaning they got a Section 8 voucher. So,
all of the numbers beginning with the first quarter of 2003 to present were the total of everyone who
applied.
VandenBerg asked why there was no wait list prior to 2000. Rackls said national recession or other
factors such as September 11th
Hayek asked if Staff could try to get application data from early years. Rackis said the data had been
lumped pre-1998 due the low numbers. Hayek said he wanted to see 2002 and earlier years. Rackis said
the list does not include people removed from list or identified as "inactive". Rackis said staff could run an
inactive list if the taskforce wanted one. Clausen requested that this waiting list be provided.
Rackis said 23% of the program participants applied prior to 1998. He said that the ICHA could run an
inactive list for total applicants. Hayek said he was trying to get a trend over time in terms of number of
applicants. Clausen also asked about the total number of vouchers. Rackis said the dates new vouchers
were obtained by the ICHA were on the handout (100 in 1998, 63 in 2002 and 64 in 2003). Hayek noted
that the 64 was not a "net increase" but shift from property owner based to tenant based as Cedarwood
opted out of the Section 8 program.
Rackis said the ICHA had just applied for 20 vouchers for people with disabilities, but the grant was
based on the poverty rate. He didn't know if the ICHA would receive them.
Rackis said about 1,500 people were taken off the waiting list, as they had no current address on file.
Rackis said that when a household applies they ask for a permanent or mailing address so the ICHA can
keep in touch with the applicant. If the applicant does not respond to the ICHA or the letter is returned the
applicant is removed from the waiting list.
Leff said it would skew the numbers (showing what State of residence applicants indicate) if people gave
an Iowa City address if there were living with Iowa City relatives, friends or at a homeless shelter.
VandenBerg said if the households are doubled up, and all gave Iowa City addresses, then would they
count as being an Iowan on the ICHA application form? Rackis said that was correct. Rackis said that in
Burlington, IA that housing authority had 20 people giving the same address.
In response to a question, Rackis said that the ICHA decrease in turnover was due to the elderly and
persons with disabilities. Rackis said that in the past there was a preference for persons who are
homeless. However due to some problems this has since been eliminated.
VandenBerg asked if a household came from Chicago and lived at a shelter, would it be an Iowa or
Illinois address? Rackis said Iowa, but they did keep origination addresses if it was available. Rackis said
Illinois residents usually apply for the program via telephone or the Web. VandenBerg asked if most
Illinois have housing. Rackis said yes, they had some type of housing in Illinois but maybe not Section 8.
Anciaux asked about the shelter house or "homeless" preference. Rackis said the ICHA had had it, but
not anymore. He said the preference was changed and single people are eligible for the programs only if
they have a disability or are elderly.
Anciaux asked how much flexibility did the ICHA have in their rules. Rackis said a lot. The only rule or
requirement is if a government action displaces people or if there is a federally declared disaster. Rackis
said there could not, however, be a residency requirement.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
August2,2004
Page 4
Anciaux asked where those households with Iowa address were coming from. Rackis said Black Hawk
County was sending people to Linn and Johnson counties.
Taskforce Committee Plannina for Upcomina Meetinas
Hayek said 2-3 months of presentations and a public hearing is scheduled. He wanted to know how the
taskforce wanted to look at research materials. Hayek said that specific research requests should be
given to him or Steve Nasby either now or later.
Leff asked how other communities had handed this issue. Anthony said some cities undertake activities
to increase the supply of affordable housing. These include inclusionary zoning, Bonus density, and
Linkage programs. He noted that some design programs to de-concentrate lower income housing, but he
did not have examples of deconcentration. Anciaux asked if the Cabrini Green renovations would be that
kind of designed program. Anthony said that project was the destruction of large complexes in favor of a
lower number of low-income housing units.
VandenBerg said other examples are needed and good models could be used to help this group. Hayek
said that a way to keep the numbers of units the same and re-distribute them throughout the community
via attrition is an alternative. Chicago tried this type of scattering but not same number of replacement
units added. Hayek said that he too wants this type of information on what has worked in other places.
Leff said they should not reinvent the wheel.
Anthony said Montgomery County, Maryland has inclusionary zoning. San Francisco has a linkage
program (commercial development to affordable housing) and there are many other examples. Clausen
said she thought Houston, Texas had something. Leff said Houston or Austin?
Anciaux said Boulder, CO, has some inclusionary zoning, but due to their growth limits policies that this
was a self-imposed problem. Anthony agreed that it was an anti-sprawl issue.
Anciaux noted that there are 1,213 Section 8 vouchers in place. What he wanted to know was "Did this
increase the price of housing?" "Would housing price decrease if there were not 1213 Section 8 units
rented in this market?" Anthony said that is a good question and he does not know the answer and it
could go either way (Market versus Section 8 supported units). Anciaux noted that Section 8 required
more frequent inspections so units might be in better condition than if they were not in the Section 8
program. Hayek said if a unit is Section 8, then HUD would set the unit rent and if it is a market rate unit
maybe they could not get that level of rent. Anciaux said the ICHA purchased houses off the market and
this practice competed with private citizens. He said that GICHF purchases some units the same way but
he thought this okay since they acquire the unit then rehabilitate it.
Hayek said to get research requests to Nasby or himself.
UDcomina meetinas:
August 16 - Wells Fargo presentation
August 30 - open date
September 20 - Neighborhood Council and Board or Realtors
VandenBerg could get more information on the school impact. Hayek said some information from law
enforcement. VandenBerg said that she like to see crime information, maybe Downtown versus other
areas of the community. Hayek said the Iowa City Police Department was not presenting but data was
available.
The taskforce thought that having two public hearings would be okay. One would be pre-
recommendations input; and the second public hearing could be on Recommendations (if any) that are
going to be made to the City Council.
VandenBerg said that maybe staff couid define some of the terms the group has been discussing at the
August 30 meeting. Clausen said they would need help overlaying the ICCSD information with the
housing information.
Scattered Site Housing Taskforce Minutes
August2,2004
Page 5
Hayek said the group needs to look at the "BIG" picture. The taskforce agreed that ending by a
Thanksgiving would be a target date. The upcoming meetings could be September 20 presenters,
October 2 meetings - scheduled and November 2 meetings - scheduled.
Anciaux said the City's Deveiopment Code was being redone and this some items may be applicable to
both.
Hayek said they could wrap up by December. Anciaux said end of November would be best for him.
VandenBerg said end of November is good for her too. Jan Petersen was going to let United Way know.
VandenBerg asked about banks and CRA. What do banks do? Hayek noted that the UI impact on
housing markets was very high and that information would be needed. Anciaux said some are waiting for
the Lodge to be coming on-line. Nasby said CITY STEPS was also collecting the housing information.
Hayek asked if the number of units being produced versus affordability could be shown. Hayek noted
that the taskforce should not rush this process to be done for CITY STEPS or the CDBG/HOME process.
VandenBerg asked if they should drop the date if there were no August 30 presenters.
Clausen said she had a Habitat question on their difficuity in purchasing lots and did they try housing
rehab for older units in established areas. Hayek said no it was a lead based paint issue when they use
any federal funds. VandenBerg asked if Habitat could get units in all neighborhoods that way. Hayek said
he would ask Habitat.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the taskforce, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm.
s:fpcdlrrMnutesfScattered/Oa-02.Q4 sshLdoc
MINUTES
SCATTERED SITE HOUSING TASKFORCE
AUGUST 16,2004
CITY HALL, EMMA HARV AT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Don Anciaux, Jerry Anthony, Matthew Hayek, Jan Leff, Jan
Peterson, Joan VandenBerg
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Darlene Clausen, Sally Stutsman
STAFF PRESENT:
Robin Butler, Tracy Hightshoe, Steve Long, Steve Rackis
OTHERS PRESENT:
Charles Eastham
CALL TO ORDER: Hayek called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m.
New information from Steven Rackis, Iowa City Housing Authority, was distributed. He noted
that the information is in response to questions from the last meeting.
Clarification of definitions
- Applicant: Person who has applied for assistance and is currently on the Iowa City
Housing Authority (ICHA) waiting list.
Active Participant: Person who is currently getting assistance. They are under a private
lease and the ICHA is paying a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to the landlord.
"-- Inactive Participant: Person who once received assistance, but the ICHA is no longer
paying a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) for that elient. Client remains in the ICHA
computer system, but is not active.
Presentation bv Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (Jayne Sandler)
1. Introduction
Thanks for invitation to speak
Been in Iowa City for 9 years
In 2003, Wells Fargo was involved in 25% oflocal home transactions
2. Trends in Home Ownership
Have seen an increase in number of people able to purchase homes.
Iowa City has a rotating community. Ifhere for more than three years, many people
decide to purchase home.
Wells Fargo wants as many people to buy as possible. A renter is a potential homebuyer.
~
3. Programs at Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo has over 1,400 loan programs
General home ownership programs inelude: CPA (Community Program Assistance)
down payment; Iowa Finance Authority Bonds, forgivable grants; and general down
payment assistance programs.
Types of people looking to purchase a home & types of programs available
(a) Good to excellent credit, and has down payment
- smallest group
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(b) Good credit, and has down payment
- All sorts of programs available, including 100% financing, help with
closing costs, and seller aid in closing costs.
(c) Bad credit, and has down payment
- Increasing number of people who have no credit established
- Try to establish non-traditional credit, i.e. cell phone or medical bills,
churches, family members
(d) Bad credit, and has no down payment
- Homebuyers education programs to remove obstacles that prevent
person from buying home, credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling
4. Other Loan Programs
FHA Loans. More health and safety requirements for borrower, i.e. lead based paint
inside and outside home, insulation
Iowa Bonds. Special financing via FHA or conventional loans.
5. Impact of Home Loaning on Scattered Sites
Doesn't matter to Wells Fargo where a home is located, as long as home meets appraised
value.
~
6. Impact of Appraisal
Home purchase must include comparables. Look in 1/2 mile radius of home for other
purchases within 6 months. If cannot find any homes that have sold, extend radius out to
1 mile. If still no sales comparable, extend radius further out.
Possible scattered site impact: If appraiser has to go outside 1/2 radius, then can lead to
decrease in property appraisal.
Ability to find comparables will depend on time of year. Times more homes sold, more
likely to find a comparable.
Can adjust comparables if there is not an exact matching house type with in radius.
Example of impact: One builds a new 1,200 square foot affordable home in Walnut
Ridge. No comparable homes within 1/2 mile radius, so keep extending radius until a
comparable is found. The price of the homes is likely to decrease as radius is extended.
Who does this scenario hurt? Person building the home needs to know that the unit will
appraise for at least as much as what they put in the house. Therefore, builder might not
want to build affordable housing in a non-affordable neighborhood.
Person looking for home in lower price range may need services-- for example, bus
service--not available in an area such as Walnut Ridge. (Although many mobile home
parks don't have bus service.)
7. Socio-Economic Questions
- There is an increase of people buying homes. Does that hold true for all socio-
economic groups? (Asked by Matt Hayek)
Wells Fargo seeing an increase ofLMI (low to moderate income) borrowers
Very few under 60- 70% median income; none below 50%
If less than 20% down, split into 2 loans and PMI (Private Mortgage
Insurance) mandated.
Congress trying make possible to deduct PMI on taxes. Not passed yet.
Less down payment, the more PMI.
Our community has very few foreclosures.
2
Via Community Reinvestment Act, banks and lenders must reinvest back into
their community, thus make loans available for affordable housing.
~
- Are there any programs that target under 80% LMI? (Asked by Matt Hayek)
National Home Ownership Emerging Markets Program.
Wells Fargo will look at secondary income and unreported forms of income
(i.e. eleaning houses and being paid cash) and co-signers that don't live in
unit.
Debt ratio can go up to 55% of gross income. Problem becomes people being
able to afford upkeep of home once they have purchased it.
Credit scores can be as low as 580
Credit scores range from 300 to 850.
740: Excellent
680: Good
580-640: Marginal
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- Have people in 70-80% of median income range done better in home buying in Iowa
City? (Asked by Matt Hayek)
Yes.
Interest rates helping market. People able to buy more home for their money.
Changes in debt definitions. Year 1/2 ago, if student loans in deferment for a
year, didn't count as debt in a conventional loan.
Under 70% LMI, Wells Fargo thinks prices them out of home ownership.
Getting harder to find less priced homes in outlining areas.
Seems rare to find a home in Iowa City for $85,000 to $105,000.
Catch 22: affluent people able to buy homes, and therefore driving prices up.
Many affluent people purchasing affordable homes for rentals.
Rental market hurting a little this past year.
- Do you give loans for manufactured homes? (Asked by Don Anciaux)
- Manufactured homes: Brought to site could have axles and wheels. To
qualify for a loan it must not have axles and wheels.
- Modular Home: Can be loaned on
- Mobile Home: Can not be real estate loan, instead is a personal property loan.
Distribution of Scattered Sites Research Material
1. New information distributed. Not everything, but getting close.
2. 250 pages compiled by city staff, including issues, case studies, impact of Section 8
vouchers, and media articles.
Committee Planning for Upcoming Meetings
1. Proposed scheduled passed out.
2. Discussion about proposed schedule.
3. Issues and Questions Raised
How do Task Force members synthesize all the information being presented?
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At what point do Task Force members synthesize the materials? Before all materials and
presenters are done, or after?
When should deliberations begin? Before all materials and presenters are done, or after?
What is City Council looking for from the Task Force? What should the final product
look like?
What constitutes a problem? How does the Task Force define the problem? Does the
problem need defining? How do we know we have a problem? Jerry Anthony gave the
example that if the Task Force suggests that builders will have to make 4 out of every
100 units affordable, the builders will be up in arms, and the Task Force needs to have a
defense.
How does Task Force define problems without defining them too narrowly? Tracy
Hightshoe pointed out that needs are very broad. Both HACAP and GICHF have
affordable housing, but serve different needs.
Federal government defines a housing concentration when there are over 2,000 units
within a certain area. By this definition, Iowa City does not have a concentration
problem.
Steve Rackis raised the questions: is there a concentration problem or a density problem?
Don Anciaux raised the question: Is the City responsible for providing housing? Does
assisted housing increase market rents? Steve Rackis pointed out that assisted housing
rents are limited by a household's income and rents must meet a rent reasonableness
comparison. In many cases landlords actually lower rents to accommodate Section 8
parameters.
J an Peterson raised the question: The school initially raised this as a problem. Are other
groups having problems too? She also stated that the impact of concentration is the
possible problem, not the concentration itself.
Neighborhood Council will present on September 20th. The Council is made up of
representatives of20-30 neighborhood associations. Steve Long pointed out that
neighborhood associations often form in response to a problem or issue.
Matt Hayek reported that staff is compiling crime statistics.
Steve Nasby is working on getting census data on demographics
Don Anciaux questioned whether Task Force had map of school districts with low-
income housing shown. Steve Rackis suggested that Task Force might want to evaluate
statistical boundaries instead of school boundaries. That way committee can get
comparable and parallel data. Tracy Hightshoe pointed out that committee needs to be
aware of slight changes. For example, Weber looks low income because of Pheasant
Ridge, but can one say that Weber is low income?
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4. Conelusions & Actions
To give more time for deliberations may limit time of presenters on August 30th.
Deliberations should not begin until finished with presenters.
There will be two public hearings: one pre-findings and recommendations, and one-post
findings and recommendations. Sub-committee to write report to be posted to the public
via city web site. Public hearing needs to be posted at least 24 hours prior, but preferably
a week prior.
Don Anciaux suggested that members go back to the Task Force charter and review
duties.
Proposed future schedule looks unrealistic at this time. Task Force may need to extend
out to the end of January/early February. Housing Commission funding goes into high
gear in March, so Task Force needs to be complete prior to March.
4
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First half of schedule possible. Will review schedule at the October 18th meeting.
Joan Vandenberg, Matt Hayek and Steve Nasby to create an outline, or study guide to the
materials handed out to Task Force.
Task Force members should try to have readings complete by September 20th.
Need to be careful of rules and regulations of Task Force, thus Task Force members
should email Matt with questions instead of communicating with each other directly.
Matt Hayek encouraged Task Force members to not stress too much. Need to identify if
there is a problem, and if a problem then make some basic recommendations to City
Council. Council is not looking for specific policy recommendations; instead they are
looking for broader issues.
At the Task Force's request, Matt will speak to staff about city staff presenting their
opinions on this topic. Tracy Hightshoe raised the concern of giving the impression of
city staffleading the charge.
Adiourmnent
Motion to adjourn: Joan Vandenberg. Second: Jan Leff. Motion Passed 6-0. Meeting adjourned
at 6:52 p.m.
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