Minutes_Housing Commission 07.23.24Copyrighted
November 4, 2024
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Airport Commission of September 24, 2024; Arts & Cultural
Affairs Advisory Commission of September 24, 2024; Cable
Television Commission of February 28, 2024; Community
Development Advisory Commission of September 4, 2024;
Equity and Human Rights Commission of September 10,
2024; Five Flags Civic Center Commission of June 13, 2024;
Historic Preservation Commission of September 19, 2024;
Housing Commission of July 23, 2024; Park and Recreation
Commission of August 13 and September 10, 2024; Resilient
Community Advisory Commission of September 5, 2024.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Airport Commission Minutes
2. Arts and Cultural Affairs Minutes
3. Cable TV Commission Meeting Minutes
4. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes 09.04.24
5. Equity and Human Rights Commission Minutes
6. Five Flags Civic Center Commission Minutes
7. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
8. Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
9. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes 08-13-24
10. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes 09-10-24
11. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
12. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of 9.30.24
13. Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of 10.7.24
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MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: Tuesday, July 23, 2024
TIME: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West 61h Street; Dubuque, IA 52001
Chairperson Rick Baumhover called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Rick Baumhover Ross Janes Julietta Scott
Cathy Dickens Renee Kehoe Sam Wooden
Amy Eudaley Rick Merfeld
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Alexis Steger Tonya England
Gina Hodgson Hollie Ohnesorge
Public Present: None
Landlords Serving on Housing Commission
Alexis Steger, Department Director, asked the Housing Commissioners to confirm whether they are
landlords. During roll call for the eight (8) Housing Commissioners, two (2) confirmed they were
current landlords —Commissioner Cathy Dickens and Commissioner Julietta Scott. During the
second roll call, Commissioner Dickens and Commissioner Scott verbally confirmed they will
contact the Department if they decide to accept a housing assistance participant and submit their
respective resignations.
Certification of Minutes — January 23, 2024, Housing Commission Meeting
Commissioner Sam Wooden moved to approve the Minutes for the January 23, 2024 Housing
Commission Meeting. Commissioner Renee Kehoe seconded. Eight (8) 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) Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing RFP
Steger reported one response went out for the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing RFP;
it is in the process of being signed. The Department will be looking to obtain comments; it will
be placed on the Agenda for the next quarterly Housing Commission Meeting. A Public
Hearing will be held in January 2025; Mary Bridget Corken-Deutsch will be presenting the
information.
b) HCV Briefing Update
Hollie Ohnesorge, Assisted Housing Coordinator, spoke about the Housing Choice Voucher
(HCV) briefing, which is a tool the Department uses to provide information regarding the rules
and regulations for the housing assistance programs. A 45-minute video was created to
replace the in -person briefing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assisted Housing is working to
recreate the video by the end of the year so that it is approximately 20 minutes long.
c) Deposit Assistance Fund Update
Gina Hodgson, Assisted Housing Supervisor, spoke about the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funding for the secuity deposit assistance program. She explained that
$50,000 was received from Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and $25,000 was received as
matching funds grant from the Community Foundation. Of the grant, $29,000 has been spent
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MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
and the balance is committed. Thirty-eight (38) applications have been completed or are in
the process of being completed. The timeline is from January to December for offering the
grant funding. If the Department decides to apply for additional funding, the application is due
by October 2024.
Steger added preference is given to homeless or at -risk for homelessness. The Commission
will be notified if the waiting list is reopened for the program.
d) Resident Advisory Board (RAB) Attendance
Hodgson stated the Resident Advisory Boad had thirteen (13) people to attend the last
quarterly meeting; there was a great discussion.
e) Delivering Dubuque Video Announcement
Mayor Brad Cavanagh and Alexis Steger completed a video regarding housing as part of the
Delivering Dubuque video series. Also, LaMetra Murdock, Family Self -Sufficiency
Coordinator, and a program participant completed a video that promoted the Next Level
Savings Program.
Reports
a) Community Development Advisory Commission Report
Commissioner Renee Kehoe reported on the meeting held on June 26, 2024 for the
Community Development Advisory Commission (CDAC). The Commission reviewed the by-
laws. Kehoe explained the meetings will change from being held monthly to being held when
necessary.
b) Assisted Housing Waiting List Statistical Summary
Ohnesorge stated the report dated 4/1/24 to 6/30/24 showed the most recent data for the
Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List. During May 2024, all applicants (174) were selected
and placed on the waiting list. In June 2024, all 190 applicants who applied for the HCV
program were selected and placed on the waiting list.
One hundred eighty-four (184) voucher holders are actively looking for units; 106 were from
the selection in May and June. Of all the applicants selected during May and June, twenty-
one (21) are already leased up and using their respective vouchers. Four (4) applicants
leased in place in June. One hundred sixty (160) applications were still being processed.
c) Housing Choice Voucher Participant Statistical Summary
Ohnesorge did not report additional information related to the Household Composition Report.
Information Sharing
a) Hodgson stated there were two (2) open seats on the Housing Commission.
b) Commissioner Wooden announced his term was ending prior to the next meeting and he was
not planning to apply for reappointment to the Housing Commission.
c) Commissioner Baumhover distributed information on meeting days/times for the neighborhood
associations in Dubuque.
d) National Night Out will be held in Comisky Park on August 6, 2024.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Wooden moved to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Dickens seconded. Motion passed by voice vote. Meeting
adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
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MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes taken by:
To ya En land
Recording Secretary
Respectfully Submitted:
Gina Hodgson
Assisted Housing Supervisor
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