Minutes_Housing Commission 4 27 21Copyrighted
May 17, 2021
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 5/3; Community Development Advisory
Commission of 4/21; Housing Commission of 4/27; Library Board of
Trustees of 3/20, 3/22, 3/24, and 3/25; Zoning Advisory Commission of
5/5; Zoning Board of Adjustment of 4/22; Proof of Publication for City
Council Proceedings of 4/19.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 5/3/21 Supporting Documentation
Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 4/21 /21
Housing Commission Minutes of 4/27/21 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 3/20/21 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 3/22/21
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 3/24/21
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 3/25/21
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 5/5/21
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 4/22/21
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
4/19/21
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: Tuesday, April 27, 2021
TIME: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West 61h Street, Room 250; Dubuque, IA 52001
Chairperson Rick Baumhover called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Rick Baumhover Jeff Lenhart
Michelle Becwar Cynthia Washington
Janice Craddieth (arrived 4:37 p.m.) Gail Weitz
Hilary Dalton Margie White
Amy Eudaley
Commissioners Absent: Sam Wooden
Staff Present: Alexis Steger
Gina Hodgson
Tonya England
Public Present: Amanda Dupont
Oath of Office — Jeff Lenhart
Jeff Lenhart read the Oath of Office.
Oath of Office — Cynthia Washington
Cynthia Washington read the Oath of Office.
Oath of Office — Margie White
Margie White read the Oath of Office.
Kris Neyen
Cate Richter
Introduction of Housing Commissioners
The Housing Commissioners introduced themselves.
Certification of Minutes — March 23, 2021 Housing Commission Meeting
Commissioner Hilary Dalton moved to approve the Minutes for the March 23, 2021 Housing
Commission Meeting. Commissioner Michelle Becwar seconded. Roll call. Seven (7) in favor. Motion
passed.
Commissioner Gail Weitz spoke to say that she was listening to the meeting; she did not indicate
whether or not she was in favor of the certification of the Minutes.
Correspondence/Public Input
None
New Business
a. Input for City Council Goal Setting
Alexis Steger, Department Director, explained City Council is preparing for their Goal Setting
Session in June 2021. City Council is looking for input from the Boards and Commissions on
things they would like to see in the community. Items the Housing Commission recommended
last year included Source of Income Ordiance and more affording housing units.
The Housing Commission suggested the following for the Board & Commission Successes
(2020-2021):
MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
1. The Housing Commission successfully acted on the additional requirements caused by the
Cares Act to take care of pressing housing priorities of the community.
2. Approval of the landlord incentives for Section 8 housing
3. Approval of a new Administative Plan for Housing Choice Voucher, which aided policies to
get applicants housed quicker and helped remove barriers for landlords
4. Voted to take the Source of Income to the City Council
5. The staff have been phenomenal with dealing with the additional workload during the
pandemic and with the expansion of the department by adding two new positions --an
inspector and assistant director.
6. The Housing Commission came together as one voice even though there was a loss of 3
Commissioners. There were two (2) emergency meetings held with a quorum.
Commissioner Amy Eudaley moved to approve the Board & Commission Successes as stated.
Commissioner Dalton seconded. Roll call. Eight (8) in favor. Motion passed.
The Housing Commission provided the following for the Board & Commission Initiatives (2021-
2022):
1. Renter education
2. Safe, affordable, equitable housing stock for existing and new build
3. Focus on mental health
4. Using assistance to purchase homes
5. Landlord education about Housing Choice Voucher program
6. Focus on assistance on mobile home renters against predatory practices
Commissioner Amy Eudaley moved to approve the recommendations for the Board and
Commission Initiatives for 2021-2022. Commissioner Gail Weitz seconded. Roll call. Nine (9) in
favor. Motion passed.
b. Administrative Plan Revision: Repayment Agreements
Gina Hodgson, Assisted Housing Supervisor, explained the department looked at the chapters
that spoke about repayment agreements this month. She highlighted proposed changes to
Chapters 3 Eligibility and Chapter 16 Program Administration. A copy of the Housing &
Community Development Department Public Housing Authority Administrative Plan Amendment
is attached.
The Housing Commission recommended changing verbiage under 3-III.C. OTHER PERMITTED
REASONS FOR DENIAL OF ASSISTANCE, second bullet from "The family has breached the
terms of a repayment agreement entered into with a PHA, unless the family repays the full
amount of the debt covered in the repayment agreement prior to being issued a voucher." to
"The family has broken the terms of a repayment agreement entered into with a PHA, unless the
family repays the full amount of the debt covered in the repayment agreement prior to being
issued a voucher."
Commissioner Eudaley moved to approve the Administrative Plan Revision: Repayment
Agreements with the recommended change. Commissioner Dalton seconded. Roll call. Eight
(8) in favor. Motion passed.
Reports
a. Community Development Advisory Commission Report
MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
Commissioner Dalton stated the Community Development Advisory Commission met on April 21,
2021 at 5:30 p.m. They reviewed a block grant application for Liberty Recovery Center --a 24-
person facility for individuals recovering from substance abuse and related illnesses. The
application requested a new roof, new air conditioning, new concrete in the front of the property.
The grant application was approved.
They also worked on the successes and initiatives for City Council. Chris Lester is moving to a
position in the Water Department.
b. Assisted Housing Waiting List Statistical Summary
Cate Richter, Assisted Housing Coordinator, stated the Waiting List for the Housing Choice
Voucher opened in February. Due to funding, the Waiting List did not reopen in March and the
applicants selected in February have not been pulled from the Waiting List.
There are currently three (3) waiting lists for Mod Rehab. She is working to move applicants
from the Mod Rehab Waiting List to the new Mod Rehab One -Bedroom or Mod Rehab Two -
Bedroom Waiting List.
c. Housing Choice Voucher Participant Statistical Summary
Richter reported the Housing Choice Voucher Participant Statistical Summary showed an
increase in participants to 903 participants —as of March 2021. The Department has not had 900
participants on the program since 2011.
d. Denial/Termination Meeting Results
Richter explained the caseworkers, Family Self Sufficiency Coordinators, Gina Hodgson and her
meet as a group to determine whether or not applicants and participants should be allowed onto
or terminated from a program.
Hodgson stated they are working with HUD to determine whether or not there is funding
available in the budget to continue lease ups.
e. Rehab Report
Kris Neyen, Rehabilitation Supervisor, reported four (4) properties have been sold since
October —which is when they took over the properties from True North. She will send a copy of
her report for the May Housing Commission Meeting.
The adult HEART Project will be bidding 2527 Washington Street. The student HEART Project
will be bidding 821 Washington Street.
Continuum of Care Special Needs Assistance Program
Amanda Hohmann -Dupont, Regional Homeless Coordinator with East Central Development
Corporation, explained the Housing Commission is the advisory board for the Continuum of Care
Special Needs Assistance Program (CoC SNAP). CoC SNAP is a permanent supportive
housing program for individuals who are chronically homeless who have a history of
homelessness and have a physically disabling condition related to physical health, mental health,
substance abuse, and/or HIV/AIDS.
MINUTES FOR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
Hohmann also discussed the Housing First Model. This model works first on assisting
individuals who have been identified through the coordinated entry program with obtaining
housing. The focus is then placed on the barriers that have prevented the individuals from
maintaining stable housing and on connecting the individuals with resources to support other
needs they have.
The program is currently supporting 15 households; one single individual and a family with
children were recently added as participants. The number of households supported depends on
the CoC SNAP budget.
Information Sharinq
a. The May Housing Commission Meeting will be held on May 11, 2021 at 4 p.m.; it is the public
hearing for the PHA Annual Plan. A copy of the draft PHA Plan is currently posted on the
website at https://www.citvofdubuque.org/1484/Administrative-Plans.
b. Michaela Freiburger presented on energy efficiency in older buildings at the Convivuum in
Dubuque.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Eudaley moved to
adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Dalton seconded. Motion passed by voice vote. Meeting
adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
nya E gland
Recording Secretary
Respectfully Submitted:
Gina Hodgson
Assisted Housing Supervisor
8b) Administrative Plan Revision:
Repayment Agreements
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Administrative Plan Amendment
Proposed Changes — Chapter 3 ELIGIBILITY
3-III.C. OTHER PERMITTED REASONS FOR DENIAL OF ASSISTANCE
o Previous Behavior in Assisted Housing [24 CFR 982.552(c)] (pg 3-27 to 3-
28)
o Under PHA Policy (pg 3-27): Change wording to indicate that the PHA will
deny assistance to an applicant family of the family owes rent or other
amounts to any PHA in connection with Section 8 unless the family repays
the full amount of the debt prior to being issued a voucher or enters into a
repayment agreement and payments are current (pg 3-27). Note —
previously stated prior to being selected from the waiting list.
o Add language (pg 3-28): The family has breached the terms of a
repayment agreement entered into with a PHA, unless the family repays
the full amount of the debt covered in the repayment agreement prior to
being issued a voucher. Failure to pay in full will result in removal from
the waiting list.
The family owes the City of Dubuque more than $1,000. The balance
must be paid in full or brought down to $1,000 to be eligible to enter a
repayment agreement.
Proposed Changes — Chapter 16 PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
16-IV.B. REPAYMENT POLICY
Owner Debts to the PHA (pg 16-29):
o If the owner refuses to repay the debt, does not enter into a repayment
agreement, or breaches a repayment agreement, the PHA will ban the
owner from future participation in the program until it is paid. (Old
language stated to pursue other modes of collection)
o Family Debts to the PHA (pg 16-29):
City of Dubuque, Housing & Community Development Dept.
Public Housing Authority, Administrative Plan
o Remove language that states family needs to pay within 30 days
and just add option to enter into Repayment Agreement from the
start.
o General Repayment Agreement Guidelines for Families (pg 16-29):
o Remove down payment requirement. Just allow family to enter into
repayment agreement and begin making payments on it — no down
payment required.
o Payment Thresholds (pg 16-30):
PHA Policv
The PHA has established the following thresholds for repayment of
debts:
Amounts between $1,000 and the Small Claims Court Maximum in
Iowa must be repaid within 48 months.
Amounts below $1,000 require a minimum payment of $25 per
month unless the family can provide evidence of an undue hardship
as stated below.
If applicant is not a current participant and owes a PHA more than
$1,000, the balance must be brought below $1,000 in order to
reapply.
`Removed Federal or State threshold for criminal prosecution because it is an arbitrary
# that is never defined. Removed the FSS budgeting meeting requirement as well.
o Execution of the Agreement (pg 16-30):
o Add: The agreement must be notarized.
o Due Dates (pg 16-30):
o Change due date from 15"' of month to the last business day of the
month.
o Late or Missed Payments (pg 16-32):
o Change language to indicate that if a family misses another
payment after they have received a delinquency notice for late
payment without prior approval, the repayment agreement will be in
default and PHA will terminate assistance in accordance with
policy. *Old language gave them 3 delinquency notices before
proposed termination.
o No Offer of Repayment Agreement (pg 16-32):
o Add when the amount owed by the family exceeds the state
threshold for Small Claims Court (previously stated Fed or State
threshold for criminal prosecution.)