Minutes_Housing Commission 10 27 09MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: 27 October 2009
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West 6~' Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001
Vice Chairperson Eddy, follotiving staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting La~v, called
the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
Commissioners Present: William Helling Lynn Sutton Judie Root
David Kapler Linda Frommelt Dorothy Culbertson
Char Eddy Jim Holz
Sister Dorothy Schtivendinger, OSF
Commissioners Absent
All Present
David Harris
Joleen Patterson
Janet Walker' Jessica Kieffer
Cpl. Mike Kane
Staff Present:
Public Present:
Barb Fischer
Review and Certification of Minutes of 25 August 2009 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Root moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Holz seconded. All present
in favor. Motion passed.
Correspondence/Public Input
None
Commissioner Kapler joined the meeting at 4:1 lpm.
Old Business
Liaison with Community Development Commission
David explained that there is an open position on the Community Development Commission and
shared a list of duties and responsibilities for the open position. Commissioner Eddy stated that
she would be interested in participating. Commissioner Holz motioned to nominate
Commissioner Eddy to the Community Development Commission. Commissioner Root
seconded. All present in favor. Motion passed.
New Business
Rehab Program Delinquency Report
In response to a previous inquiry from a Housing Commission member, Joleen explained that the
Rehab Department has 5751oans in the city system worth $8.5 million and only 3% are
delinquent.
Arrest Activity Analysis in Section 8 Housing
David explained that Alta Vista Research has been contracted to conduct a study to compare
arrest frequency in both Section 8 and non-Section 8 rental units in the City of Dubuque. The
report should be available by the November meeting.
Section 8 Annual Settlement Report FY 2009
David distributed a reprint from the National NAHRO Monitor to inform -the Commissioners
what's happening with programs around the country regarding the insufficient administrative
fees. He explained that the current HUD Administration is performing a nationwide survey on
PHAs.to find out what the short falls are and what is needed from the PHAs.
For fiscal year 2009, the Section 8 Program experienced a loss of $166,000. Janet explained that
one thing that largely affects the program is that HUD prorated the Administrative fees and only
paid 90.715% of what was actually earned, resulting in a reduction of $39,600. Other
contributing factors were that investments did not earn as much money as previous years. Last
year there was a higher turnover rate of clients and as a result the leasing and occupancy rate
decreased which came to an approximate loss of $38,700. Janet explained that to reestablish full
utilization, four briefings per week were held (approximately 80-100 people per tiveek) to get
more applicants. There was also an increased expense for the Section 8 Investigator of $82,600
and now apart-time receptionist. Some of the ideas for addressing the funding short-falls
include applying for a grant to cover the FSS coordinator salary, proposing that the Police
Department pay the investigator salary and remaining 100% occupied and leased.
Discussion of Illegal or Objectionable Landlord Practices; Complaint from Barb Fischer on
Behalf of Participants
David explained that Barb had previously met with him and discussed the treatment of a tenant
she knows by a certain landlord. Barb is concerned that landlords are able to continue renting
units in Dubuque when they are using objectionable practices. In the instance she knows of, the
landlord accepted a security deposit from a prospective tenant, moved this person into a unit and
within 10 days of the tenant moving in, sent an eviction notice even though the tenant's rent was
not due for another 10 days. Barb is asking staff if there is something that the Housing
Commission can do to assist with Landlord behaviors.
Janet explained that the Section 8 program has a strict code of conduct for both tenants and
Landlords. If a landlord violates the rules that have been set forth, their contract could be
terminated.
Commissioner Holz asked staff if the landlords have to be licensed. David explained that the
rental units are licensed however it's based on the Housing Code Standards, not the landlords
behavior. Commissioner Holz stated that for landlord behavior problems that are not Section 8
units, it would be a legal issue not a Housing Department issue.
Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) Evaluation - FY 2009
Commissioner Holz congratulated Janet and her staff on their performance and 100% score.
Amendment to Administrative Plan: To Address Student Homelessness
Janet explained that she and David rnet with Shirley Horstmann from the Dubuque Community
School District regarding homeless students in grades K - 12. Staff is proposing to allow
preference points for residency if the family can provide proof that the children are enrolled in
school. The children could be provided more stability in their lives however there maybe
applicants that enroll their children in school just to get the preference points to move to the top
of the waiting list. It vas discussed that some applicants may receive their voucher after getting
the residency points for enrolling their children in Dubuque schools and then port to another city
with their voucher at the soonest possible date. It was suggested that the rule allowing residents
to port to another city in less than a year be changed, requiring that all voucher holders not port
until they've been in Dubuque for at least a year. Commissioner Root recommended the
discussion be tabled until staff can fmd out if the porting rule can be changed. All present in
favor.
Information Sharin
Safe Community Task Force
Commissioner Sutton explained that the Safe Community Task Force is meeting tonight
(October 27) to discuss what they hope to accomplish and to create four subcommittees: 1)
neighborhood engagement/social capital, 2) enforcement, 3) management of physical
environment, and 4) research and facts. Four to five task force members will serve on each
subcommittee and additional volunteers are being sought.
Adi ournment ~
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Holz moved to
adjourn the meeting at 5:20PM. Commissioner Helling seconded. All present in favor.
Minutes taken by:
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Jessica Kieffer
Recording Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
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David Harris
Department Director
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