Minutes_Housing Commission 8 24 10MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: 24 August 2010
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Housing and Community Development Department
350 West 6 Street, Suite 312, Dubuque, IA 52001
Chairperson Kapler, following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law, called the
meeting to order at 4:01 pm.
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present:
Public Present:
Lynn Sutton
David Kapler
Judie Root
William Helling
Lisa McAllister
David Harris
Janet Walker
Jim Holz
Dorothy Culbertson
Sister Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Cpl. Mike Kane
Jessica Kieffer
Alex Kornya, staff attorney at Iowa Legal Aid
Review and Certification of Minutes of 27 July 2010 Commission Meeting
Commissioner Schwendinger moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Root seconded.
Commissioner Holz abstained. All others present in favor. Motion passed.
Oaths of Office to Re- Appointed Commissioners: Sr. Dorothy Schwendinger, Judie Root
The City Council reappointed Commissioners Schwendinger and Root for another term. The
Commissioners took their oaths of office.
Correspondence/Public Input
Commissioner Kapler shared that Commissioner Frommelt resigned from her position on the
Housing Commission effective immediately.
Old Business
Vacancies
David reminded the commissioners that there are now two open seats on the Housing
Commission as well as the open position on the Community Development Commission for a
Housing Commission liaison.
New Business
Administrative Plan Change: Authorized moves during first year
Janet explained that staff was requesting to change the administrative plan regarding portability
during the first year. The requested change would require that if neither household head nor
spouse had a legal residence in the jurisdiction of the housing authority at the time of application,
the family must lease a unit in the housing authority jurisdiction for one year before becoming
eligible for portability. David explained that this policy change would be recommended to the
City Manager and be subject to the Manager's approval. Commissioner Root motioned to
approve the policy change. Commissioner Schwendinger seconded. All present in favor.
Policy Change: Moratorium on issuing housing vouchers
Janet discussed that the projections are showing as of September 1, 2010 the number of Section 8
vouchers should be below 900. Staff is uncertain if vouchers will begin to be issued again or if
voucher issuance will remain frozen. Commissioner Kapler stated that going below 900
vouchers would result in loss of more administrative dollars than budgeted. Commissioner
Schwendinger motioned that a letter be written to the City Manager on behalf of the Commission
stating that the Commissioners are not in favor of further reduction to the number of vouchers at
this time. Commissioner Culbertson seconded. All present in favor.
Alex Kornya, staff attorney from Iowa Legal Aid joined the meeting at 4:07pm.
Homeless Assistance (HPRP) Program Policy Changes
1.) Requiring Criminal Background Checks
2.) Requiring Section 8 Program Local Preference Points for Eligibility
David explained that staff is requesting that in order for applicants to be eligible for the HPRP
program, a criminal background check be instituted. In addition, a policy requiring HPRP
applicants to qualify for local preference points as they would to qualify for the Section 8
program would be instituted as well. Staff has conferred with HUD and has received the
approval for these changes. Alex Kornya expressed his concern that implementing a criminal
background check will limit some persons from receiving assistance and he questioned where
else they would turn to for assistance. Alex discussed that other Community Action Agencies
that are administering the HPRP program in Iowa are less restrictive and assist people who are
otherwise not served by traditional programs. He feels that non - violent simple misdemeanors are
holding people back from getting assistance. Janet explained that the integrity of the HPRP
program and any City program must be maintained. Corporal Kane added that people must be
held accountable for their behavior. After a lengthy discussion, the Commissioners requested
that a memo be distributed to them outlining what actions staff would like taken and the rationale
behind it before they make any recommendations for policy changes.
Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP)
The Commissioners received a summary of the SEMAP report that staff submitted to HUD.
Janet explained that the SEMAP assessment is required annually within 60 days after the end of
its fiscal year. The assessment concerns the performance of the PHA and provides assurance that
there is no evidence of deficient performance. HUD uses the information and other data to assess
PHA management capabilities and deficiencies and to assign overall performance rating to the
PHA.
Information Sharing
Complaints Received
Commissioners received a summary of the complaints the Housing Department has received
since the last meeting.
Commissioner orientation materials
The Commissioners received an updated packet of orientation materials including a staff
directory, glossary of terms, Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet, Top 10 Myths: Dubuque's
Section 8 Housing Program and a list of the recently- adopted administrative changes to the
Section 8 program. David explained that some of this information is also on the City of
Dubuque's website. Commissioner Schwendinger suggested that the Top 10 Myths be changed
to say Top 10 Misconceptions or Top 10 Misnomers.
Project Concern fmancial assistance programs
The Commissioners received a memo from Jenny Manders, Information and Referral Director
for Project Concern, explaining their homeless assistance programs.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at
4:55pm.
Minutes taken by:
)'5, ALL
essica Kieffer
Recording Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
David - Iarris
Department Director