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Minutes_Housing Commission 04.25.23Copyrighted April 1, 2024 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 01. City Council Meeting ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of March 18, 2024; Civil Service Commission of March 7, 2024; Equity and Human Rights Commission of February 13, 2024; Historic Preservation Commission of February 15, 2024; Housing Commission of April 25, 2023; Library Board of Trustees of March 23, 2023, April 27, 2023, May 25, 2023, June 22, 2023, July 27, 2023, August 23, 2023, August 24, 2023, September 28, 2023, October 19, 2023, October 26, 2023, and November 16, 2023; Park and Recreation Commission of February 13, 2024; Zoning Advisory Commission Draft Minutes of March 6, 2024 and March 13, 2024; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of March 4, 2024 and March 7, 2024. SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Civil Service Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation Equity and Human Rights Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation Housing Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation Park and Recreation Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation Zoning Advisory Commission 3/6/24 Supporting Documentation Zoning Advisory Commission 3/13/24 Supporting Documentation Library_March 23, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_April 27, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_May 25, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_June 22, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_July 27, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_August 23, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_August 24, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_September 28, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_October 19, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_October 26, 2023 Supporting Documentation Library_November 16, 2023 Supporting Documentation City Council Proceedings of March 18, 2024 Supporting Documentation Proof of Publication 3.4.24 Supporting Documentation Proof of Publication 3.7.24 Supporting Documentation MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING DATE: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 TIME: 4:00 p.m. PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department 350 West 61h Street; Dubuque, IA 52001 Chairperson Yindra Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:12 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law. Commissioners Present: Rick Baumhover Yindra Dixon Amy Eudaley Commissioners Absent: Cathy Dickens Staff Present: Alexis Steger Gina Hodgson Ross Janes Renee Kehoe Calvin Jones Margie White Rick Merfeld Sam Wooden Hollie Ohnesorge Public Present: Jake Kurczek, Commissioner for Equity & Human Rights Commission Oath of Office — Ross Janes The Oath of Office was completed by Ross Janes. Oath of Office — Calvin Jones The Oath of Office was completed by Calvin Jones. Certification of Minutes — January 31, 2023, Housing Commission Meeting Commissioner Rick Merfeld moved to approve the Minutes for the January 31, 2023 Housing Commission Meeting. Commissioner Margie White seconded. Nine (9) in favor. Zero (0) not in favor. Zero (0) abstained. Motion passed. Correspondence/Public Input There was no correspondence nor public input. New Business a) Goal Setting 2022-2023 Successes 1. The Housing Commission set up subcommittees. The impact was the commissioners had an opportunity to engage with Housing leaders and they came up up with plans and ideas for improvement and community engagement. 2. The Housing Department completed implementation of new software. 3. The number of housing inspectors on staff increased. 4. The Commission met and held all meetings over the past year. The current and new members have attended meetings, which has enabled work to be completed. 5. Tenant education remains as an important element. Although there was no forward movement, the staff kept tenant education on their priority list. 6. The public has been invited to the meetings for the Housing Commission. 7. Representatives from the Housing Commission have attended meetings for City Council and neighborhood associations. 8. The guests at the meetings are recognized when in attendance at the meetings; this enhances public participation, input, and education. 9. The providing of information to the Housing Commission on ordinances and HUD laws and being given access to Sharepoint for communication of important documents enabled the Commissioners to effectively perform duties. MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING 2023-2024 Goals 1. Increase attendance of Housing Commissioners at each of the four neighborhood association meetings. It was determined that a copy of the schedule for the neighborhood associations would be added to Sharepoint. The following commissioners volunteered to attend the the meeting for the respective association: Downtown Neighborhood Association — Rick Merfeld & Amy Eudaley Point Neighborhood Association — Rick Baumhover North End Neighborhood Association — Margie White & Ross Janes Langworthy Neighborhood Association — Sam Wooden 2. Coordinate with the Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood Support to obtain information from the neighborhood association meetings when Housing Commissioners are not available to attend. 3. Create a list of talking points after each Housing Commission Meeting that should be shared at the neighborhood association meetings 4. Increase landlord acceptance of Housing Choice Vouchers by 10 through enhancement of tenant education process 5. Increase lease -ups without creating a disparact impact 6. Increase public awareness to destigmatize public housing assistance for everyone in the community 7. Increase safe, affordable housing for low- and extremely low-income tenants in all under served populations 8. Continue to create community awareness of Housing Choice Voucher programs 9. Increase data from landlords on why the Housing Choice Voucher is accepted/not accepted through rental license application process Commissioner Amy Eudaley moved to approve the 2022-2023 Successes and the 2023- 2024 Goals. Commissioner Merfeld seconded. Nine (9) in favor. Zero (0) not in favor. Zero (0) abstained. Motion passed. b) Discuss research, outcomes and marketing for preference point process Commissioner Yindra Dixon reported it is imperative that the audience for marketing the preference point process is understood and the marketing plan is known. It was suggested that the outcomes be created and reported if the process is implemented. Also if the audience is not being reached or has limitations, a plan should be created for the Housing Commissioners to support the marketing plan. c) Collaboration strategies with local utilities for program participants Commissioner Dixon stated that currently landlords are asked to decrease rent because a tenant may need to use money from vouchers for payment of utilities. Alexis Steger, Department Director, explained tenants may receive assistance through other resources for utilities; the utilities may not be adjusted until the resource may be considered as income. d) Security deposits and 13-month lease payments Commissioner Dixon asked whether resources are available for security deposits and 13- month leases that include security deposits. Steger stated HUD does not provide for that with Section 8; the Department is looking to apply for funding at the state level through Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) to assist with providing deposits. There are some non-profit partners that provide for security deposits; the funding is usually depleted early in the year. MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING Reports a) Community Development Advisory Commission Report Commissioner Renee Kehoe stated the Community Development Advisory Commission approved a $135,000 grant for Catholic Charities to start on the installation of elevators at Ecumenical Towers. b) Assisted Housing Waiting List Statistical Summary Hollie Ohnesorge, Assisted Housing Coordinator, reported the Waiting List Summaries show were 150 applicants were randomly selected in January and February 2023. For March 2023, all 179 applicants who applied were placed on the waiting list; there was no random selection. c) Housing Choice Voucher Participant Statistical Summary Ohnesorge shared information on current voucher holders reported on the Housing Choice Voucher Participant Statistical Summary. There are 790 families being served; the report breaks down the information by demographics. d) Denial/Termination Meeting Results Ohnesorge stated there were no housing participants up for termination. Several applicants came up for denial of assistance due to criminal background; it was decided by the team that either the applicants could go on the program or had to reapply for the program at a later date. Information Sharing a) The next Housing Commission Meeting will be held in July 2023. b) Shane Hoeper, Combination Inspector, was recognized for obtaining the cerification of Master Code Professional. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Ross Janes moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner White seconded. Motion passed by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Gina Hodgson Assisted Housing Supervisor