Source of Income Committee Final Report Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Action Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Source of Income Committee Final Report
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending the City Council concur with
the Source of Income Committee's Final Report and direct
the City Manager to move forward with the Implementation
Strategy for Options #4 and #6 recommended in the
Committee's Final Report.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Concur
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Source of Income Committee Final Report-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff memo Staff Memo
Report Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E i"
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012.2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Source of Income Committee's Final Report
DATE: February 14, 2017
In December 2014, the City Council formed a Source of Income Committee to conduct a
two-year study and then report their findings and options. At the work session, the
Source of Income Committee transmitted a report on their two-year study with six
preliminary recommendations.
The City Council concurred on Option #4 and Option #6 and directed staff to continue
work on these options:
• Option #4. Adopt and implement a mix of educational / outreach programs to
increase participation in Housing Choice Voucher program.
• Option #6. Adopt and implement a mix of financial incentives / policies for
creation of Housing Choice Voucher units throughout community.
Subsequently, the Source of Income Committee met on November 30 and
December 15, 2016, and on January 18, 2017 to discuss a final report to City Council
with recommendations to implement Options #4 and #6.
At the January 2017 meeting, City staff recommended changes to the original wording
for Option #4 and Option #6, which were not the exact wording as the original Source of
Income Committee recommendation that the City Council reviewed and approved at the
work session. The Committee agreed to these wording changes by consensus, and
they are highlighted in the final report.
The Source of Income Committee's Final Report to the City Council includes a
recommended Implementation Strategy for Options #4 and #6. This strategy includes
Re-Branding the Housing Choice Voucher Program and increasing affordable housing
opportunities and housing provider participation in the Housing Choice Voucher
program through a mix of educational / outreach programs and financial incentives /
policies.
Housing and Community Development Director Alvin Nash, Human Rights Director
Kelly Larson, City Attorney Crenna Brumwell, Community Development Specialist Erica
Haugen and Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens recommend the City council
concur with the Source of Income Committee's Final Report and direct the City Manager
to move forward with the Implementation Strategy for Options#4 and #6 recommended
in the Committee's Final Report.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen'-4 s
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Alvin Nash, Housing & Community Development Director
Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director
Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
Erica Haugen, Community Development Specialist
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
2
THE MYOFF Dubuque
DTL E NI-nmeencaCAY
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2009•2012•2013
MEMORANDUM
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alvin Nash, Housing and Community Development Director
Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director
Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Erica Haugen, Community Development Specialist
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
SUBJECT: Source of Income Committee's Final Report
DATE: February 15, 2017
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum transmits the Source of Income Committee's Final Report to the City
Council in response to direction provided at the November 28, 2016 work session for
implementation of Options #4 and #6. The Final Report is for consideration at the City
Council's regular meeting on February 20, 2017.
BACKGROUND
In December, 2014, the City Council formed a Source of Income Committee to conduct
a two-year study and then report their findings and options. At the work session, the
Source of Income Committee transmitted a report on their two-year study with six
preliminary recommendations.
The City Council concurred on Option #4 as a baseline and directed staff to continue
work on expanding upon that option. The City Council also concurred with the City
Manager that the City is already doing most of Option #6.
• Option #4. Adopt and implement a mix of educational / outreach programs
to increase participation in Housing Choice Voucher program.
• Option #6. Adopt and implement a mix of financial incentives / policies for
creation of Housing Choice Voucher units throughout community.
DISCUSSION
Subsequently, the Source of Income Committee met on November 30 and December
15, 2016, and on January 18, 2017 to discuss a final report to City Council with
recommendations to implement Options #4 and #6.
At the January 2017 meeting, City staff recommended changes to the original wording
for Option #4 and Option #6, which were not the exact wording as the original Source of
Income Committee recommendation that the City Council reviewed and approved at the
work session. The Committee agreed to these wording changes by consensus, and
they are highlighted in the final report.
At the January 2017 meeting, the Committee consensus was to support the staffs
recommendation for a collective impact model, to have their requests for revisions
considered, and then to be given the opportunity to review and comment on a revised
final draft recommended by staff. Committee input was addressed, and further
comments were received and incorporated in accordance with the consensus reached
at the January meeting into the enclosed Final Report.
The Source of Income Committee's Final Report to the City Council includes a
recommended Implementation Strategy for Options#4 and #6. This strategy includes
Re-Branding the Housing Choice Voucher Program and increasing affordable housing
opportunities and housing provider participation in the Housing Choice Voucher
program through a mix of educational / outreach programs and financial incentives /
policies as outlined in Options#4 and #6.
RECOMMENDATION
The recommendation is for the City Council to receive, file and concur with the Source
of Income Committee's Final Report, and to direct the City Manager to move forward
with the Implementation Strategy for Options#4 and #6 recommended in the
Committee's Final Report.
Enclosure
cc: Source of Income Committee
F oUsersVLCARSTEMWPASource of IncomeAMemo SOI Comm final report to CC.doc
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THE CITY OF
DUB TE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
City of Dubuque
Source of Income Committee
Final Report
February 2017
Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................3
Background ...................................................................................................................................................3
Discussion......................................................................................................................................................3
Recommendation..........................................................................................................................................4
ImplementationStrategy ..............................................................................................................................5
Summary ......................................................................................................................................................................9
Dubuque
All-America City
1
2007 • 2012 • 2013
SOURCE OF INCOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
• Alvin Nash I Housing and Community Development Director
• Kelly Larson I Human Rights Director
• Crenna Brumwell I City Attorney
• Laura Carstens I Planning Services Manager
• Janet Walker I Assisted Housing Supervisor
• Patrick Norton I Zoning Advisory Commission
• Lisa Eubanks I Resident Advisory Board
• Teresa Caldwell I Community Development Advisory Commission
• John Pregler I Long Range Planning Advisory Commission
• Jim Holz I Housing Commission
• Anthony Allen I Human Rights Commission
• KathySutton I NAACP
• Tom LoGuidice I NAACP
•
Jerry Maro I Dubuque Area Landlords Association
• Lynn Lampe I Dubuque Area Landlords Association
• Diane McClain I Dubuque Area Landlords Association
•
Tom Smith I Dubuque Area Landlords Association
Source of Income Committee Final Report
Introduction
The City of Dubuque's Source of Income Committee Is pleased to present the City Council with our final
report In response to direction from the City Council at the November 28,2016 work session.
The direction provided by the City Council was to continue work on expanding option #4 and option#6:
Option#4. Adopt and implement o mix of educational/outreach programs to increase
participation in Housing Choice Voucher program.
Option#6. Adopt and implement o mix of financial incentives/policies for creation of Housing
Choice Voucher units throughout community.
Background
In December 2014, the City Council approved forming a Source of Income Committee to conduct a two-
year study, and then report their findings and options. Committee members were drawn from City Boards
and Commissions, Dubuque Area Landlords Association, and Dubuque Chapter of NAACP to meet with
City staff from the Legal, Housing&Community Development, Human Rights, and Planning Services
Departments to study the Issue.
In this two-year period, the Source of Income Committee undertook the following work:
o researched definitions related to fair housing and source of Income
o conducted research and prepared a comparative analysis of source of Income ordinances at the
state, city and county levels
o reviewed data and Information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program
o developed, distributed and analyzed results of residential rental surveys for housing providers
and a separate one for renters
o planned,conducted, and analyzed Input received at community dialogues opportunities with
key stakeholders
Discussion
On November 28, 2016, the Source of Income Committee provided a preliminary report to the City
Council on the results of this work, and then outlined six preliminary options.The options being:
(1) Maintain the status quo
(2) Add a Source of Income definition to the current discrimination ordinance
(3) Create a Source of Income Housing Ordinance separate from discrimination ordinance
(4) Adopt and implement a mix of education/outreach programs to increase participation in the
Housing Choice Voucher program
(5) Adopt and implement a mix of financial incentives to increase participation in the Housing Choice
Voucher program
(6) Adopt and implement a mix of financial incentives/ policies for creation of Housing Choice
Voucher units throughout the community
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Source of Income Committee Finol Report
The City Council concurred on Option#4 as a baseline and directed staff to continue work on expanding
upon that option.The City Manager Informed the City Council that the City already Is doing most of
Option #6.The City Council also concurred that the City Is already doing most of Option #6.
The Source of Income Committee met on November 30 and December 15, 2016 to discuss specifically:
(1) What do you think the City can do to increase housing provider participation in the Housing
Choice Voucher program using a combination of Options#4 and#6, without an ordinance?
(2) Is there anything that you or your organization can do to help the City meet this goal?
Recommendation
The Source of Income Committee Is recommending a collective Impact approach to Implementing the
City Council's direction to continue to work on expanding option#4 and option#6 through a re-branding
and redesign of the Housing Choice Voucher program.
There are a variety of programs that exist within different public, private and non-profit agencies that are
not collectively orchestrated to address low-Income renter Issues around the city like they could. It Is also
clear the that the topic of Housing Choice Vouchers and greater Issues related to affordable, quality low-
Income rental units Is complex and a collective Impact model Is needed.
Collective Impact Initiatives Involve a backbone organization, In this case the City,and a structured
process that leads to a common agenda, shared measurement, continuous communication, and mutually
reinforcing activities among all participants.
The collective Impact model for Re-branding the Housing Choice Voucher program will be led by the City's
Housing&Community Development Department as the backbone organization. The Department will
utilize the Commissions and other advisory groups that play an Important role In the governance of
Department programs. Members are community volunteers whose contributions help maintain and
Improve the quality of life for Dubuque residents.
Housing Commission: Carries out analyses of housing needs and meeting such needs and making results
of such studies available to the public; recommends proposed projects In area of low-and moderate-
Income housing; and monitors the City's housing programs.
Community Development Advisory Commission: Identifies community development needs, particularly
the needs of persons of low and moderate Income through monitoring and evaluating program activities
funded by the Community Development Block Grant.
Resident Advisory Board: Provides the City and the Assisted Housing Participants with a forum to provide
Input about the policies and procedures for the Assisted Housing Program.
The Source of Income Committee has served an Important research and dialogue role for the past two
years.The time has come to move Into an Implementation strategy that reaches the broader realm of
community partners beyond the Individuals who represented these partners on the committee.
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Source of Income Committee Finol Report
The collective Impact model would be used to structure the ongoing monitoring of the various programs
of options#4 and#6 around the common goal of Increasing voluntary participation of housing providers
In the Housing Choice Voucher program under the City Housing Commission and creating more
affordable housing options and opportunities.
The City of Dubuque would serve as the backbone organization responsible for monitoring partners'
collaborative efforts and working with them to Identify outcomes, Indicators and performance measures.
The City of Dubuque would communicate and share progress on outcomes and measurements on a
periodic basis amongst community partners.
Implementation Strategy for Options #4 and #6
Based on the City Council's direction at the November 281h work session, and Committee input received,
the Source of Income Committee recommends the strategy for Implementation of Options#4 and#6 be
part of a Re-Branding of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.This re-brand was not presented at the
City Council work session, but was discussed and supported by the Committee at their November and
December,2016 and January, 2017 meetings.
The Source of Income Committee recommends that City Council sanction a rebrand of the Dubuque
Housing Choice Voucher program.The Information gathered by the Source of Income Committee over 23
months of review and research revealed that there Is a huge deficit of understanding of the Housing
Choice Voucher program among property owners and the public, necessitating re-branding.
Rebranding the Housing Choice Voucher program will also address affirmatively furthering fair housing,
the de-concentration of poverty, and the Increased participation of housing providers Into the Housing
Choice Voucher source of Income option.
We want to modernize and rebrand what Is known as the Housing Choice Voucher program and how It Is
managed and delivered as a product In Dubuque and perhaps cities around the country.
Goal:
To rebrand and redesign a model Housing Choice Voucher program that responds to the local needs of
Dubuque's demographics and ensures viable, livable and equitable opportunities for all qualifying
residents. A rebrand and redesign of the Housing Choice Voucher program would represent the greatest
response to the local needs of Dubuque's demographics, fair market and equitable opportunities, namely:
• Connect Housing Choice Vouchers to sustainability.
• Equal housing opportunity and the development of affordable housing at all Income levels.
• The Housing Choice Voucher program Is one of the largest assistance to the low-Income veterans,
seniors and persons with disabilities In the City.The faces and stories of program residents as well
as program Housing Providers should be made readily available to the entire community.
• Publicize economic Impact of the Housing Choice Voucher program and the positive effect on the
local economy.
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Source of Income Committee Final Report
• Increase the participation of housing providers who will contract with the Clry for the Housing
Choice Voucher program.
• Connect residents to the Fam ily Self-Sufficiency(FSS) program and the Circles Initiatives.
• Improve the public understanding of the Housing Choice Voucher program.
The Source of Income Committee recommends that the rebranding of the Housing Choice Voucher
program include a combination of options#4 and#6 as follows. (Note:Changes are recommended to
original wording for Option#4 and Option#6 from what the City Council reviewed and approved are
highlighted below in yellow).
Option#4.Adopt and implement a mix of educational/outreach programs to increase
participation in Housing Choice Voucher program,such as:
(1) Voluntary Voucher Provider Participation Pilot.
a. Research best practices to create a model for Dubuque.
b. Develop a budget estimate for Implementing a pilot program.
c. Once approved, partner with the Dubuque Area Landlords Association to recruit
participants.
(2) Housing Provider Education Program on Benefits of Voucher Participation.
a. Research best practices to create a program for Dubuque.
b. Develop a budget estimate to develop an education program and to make
presentations to housing providers,community partners and other Interested groups.
(3) Createbrochures on Renter Responsibilities/Being a Good Neighbor for all
housing providers to distribute to their renters.
a. Develop a budget estimate for printing and distribution costs.
b. Once approved, work with housing providers who accept Housing Choice Vouchers
and the Dubuque Area Landlords Association to develop the brochure.
c. Once developed, partner with the Dubuque Area Landlords Association to encourage
all licensed housing providers to distribute the brochure.
d. Incorporate the program Into the Successful Rental Property Management training
program.
e. Incorporate the brochure Into the annual rental license renewal mailing.
f. Incorporate the brochure Into the orientation sessions for all new renters participating
In the Housing Choice Voucher program.
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Source of Income Committee Finol Report
g. Share the Information with new customers In the City of Dubuque Utility Billing
Department.
h. Share the information with developers of rental propertyvia the Economic
Development and Planning Services Departments.
(4) Active webpage of Housing Choice Voucher-participating sites and available rental units.
a. Develop a draft webpage and test with housing providers and renters.
b. Implement webpage and promote through a variety of traditional, electronic and
social media to reach housing providers and renters.
(5) Collective self-monitoring by City, housing providers, public and select commissions.
a. Use the collective Impact model to structure the ongoing monitoring of the
effectiveness of the participation pilot,education, and outreach programs around the
common goal of Increasing voluntary participation of housing providers In the Housing
Choice Voucher program.
b. Assign the City of Dubuque Housing&Community Development Department to serve
as the backbone organization responsible for monitoring partners' collaborative
efforts and create a task force of City staff to Identify desired outcomes and develop
Indicators and performance measures that align with the Voluntary Compliance
Agreement(VCA) Action Plan submitted to HUD.
c. Communicate and share progress on outcomes and measurements on a periodic basis
(such as quarterly meetings and an annual report) amongst community partners, each
of whom will collaborate on working towards the Identified goal by doing what they
and their organizations are uniquely equipped to do In order to assist, Including but
not limited to the following community partners:
o Dubuque Area Landlords Association,
o Dubuque Chapter of NAACP,
o Licensed Housing Providers,
o Housing Choice Voucher renters,
o Housing Commission,
o Community Development Advisory Commission,
o Resident Advisory Board,
o Human Rights Commission,
o Long Range Planning Advisory Commission,
o Zoning Advisory Commission.
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Source of Income Committee Final Report
d. Utilize progress on outcomes and measurements to provide periodic updates to HUD
as part of the VCA Action Plan reporting requirements.
Option#6.Adopt and implement a mix of financial incentives/policies for creation of Housing
Choice Voucher units throughout community,such as:
(a) Foster partnerships with private and non-profit housing developers to provide a
11P e�ep affordable housing units; e.g., rent-to-own homes, adaptive reuse of historic
properties, new construction.
(i) Research best practices for rent-to-own, rehab and new construction to create
affordable housing opportunities throughout the City.
(ii) Utilize CHANGE Program (Comprehensive Housing Activities for Neighborhood Growth
and Enrichment) to continue acquisition and rehab of older, historic and marginal
properties.
(b) Housing TIE (tax incrementfinancing) incentives to build affordable housing, including but not
limited to, mixed Income housing developments; i.e., that Include"market rate" and "low-
Income rate" units.
(i) Research best practices for housing TIF incentives to create components for the Housing
Choice Voucher program In Dubuque.
(ii) Utilize CHANGE program to provide housing TIF funds to low/moderate income
households using Housing Choice Voucher program (e.g., down payment assistance,
rent-to-own program).
(iii) Promote approved housing TlF projects,such as Timber-Hyrst and English Ridge
subdivisions, that serve as a source of funding for affordable housing.
(iv) Share the information with developers of residential propertyvia the Economic
Development and Planning Services Departments.
(c) Support for Low Income, Workforce, and Senior Housing Tax Credit projects, with emphasis
outside areas of concentrated poverty.
(i) Research best practices for housing tax credits to create components for the Housing
Choice Voucher program In Dubuque.
(ii) Promote approved housing tax credit projects, such as Applewood IV, University Lofts,
Marquette Place, and Fifteenth Street Apartments,as examples.
(iii) Share the information with developers of residential propertyvia the Economic
Development and Planning Services Departments.
Dubuque
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Source of Income Committee Finol Report
Summary
The City of Dubuque Is committed to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing through Improving existing and
Implementing new programs, policies, regulations,and practices.This commitment is evidenced by the
City's Voluntary Compliance Agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) and the City Council's 2016-2018 Policy Agenda of Goals& Priorities.This City commitment
Includes Re-Branding the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Increasing affordable housing
opportunities and housing provider participation In the Housing Choice Voucher program through a mix
of educational/outreach programs and financial Incentives/ policies as outlined above.
Dubuque
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Kevin Firnstahl
From:Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
Sent:Monday, February 20, 2017 4:29 PM
To:Kevin Firnstahl
Subject:"Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name: Matthew Zanger
Address:
Ward:
Phone: 5635836788
Email: mzanger@mchsi.com
City Department: City Council
Message: Dear Council Members: I was disappointed to read in the TH that the Source of Income Ban is, practically speaking, no
longer being considered. My understanding is that the council was convinced that pursuing actions outlined in "Options 4 and 6" will
be sufficient. I disagree. Implementing the ban will go a long, long way to changing the culture of this city to one that is hospitable to
the elderly, the poor , children who live in impoverished and/or violent areas, and people of color. As a violence prevention educator,
parent, volunteer and professional trainer, I have learned about how to impact culture change. The greatest myth is that change can
only come when one person does one big thing. The reality is just the opposite: Culture change comes when many people do one thing
differently. While many communities within our city are welcoming, safe and enjoy high quality of life, there is another side that
stinks. It has been there a long time and is continually defended and justified, primarily because it "seems OK" or is "working for
me.". Sometimes we see this in racism, discrimination, NIMBYism, parochialism, patriarchy and other forms of oppression. People of
color come to our community and many leave because they are not welcome. Single mothers and struggling families migrate here for
a better life, only to find that our helping hands don't reach out to "them." Many are forced to live in squalor because we employ
systems and policies that look past the root causes of injustice and focus on bottom lines. All of you are making a difference in this
city and I applaud each of you for your service. I know how greatly each of you often struggles to make the best decision. That is why
I implore you to pass this ban, or some similar legislation that will force our community to stop doing things the way they have
,always been done or the way we assume we need to. For all the positive things that happen here in Dubuque, we cannot overcome the
stench of the injustices that remain. You know what I mean and you know that it is there. One person cannot do one big thing to
change our world and eliminate that stench. But each of us can do one small thing differently. My one, small, different action tonight
is to appeal to you - when I normally trust you - to challenge what you think you should do and consider what is morally right – to do
something that can truly have a meaningful impact for so many others . I am hoping that each of you will also do one thing differently
tonight. I am hoping each of you can find the courage to vote for true culture change in our city. Thank you. Sincerely, Matthew
Zanger
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