Housing SRO HOME Funds S.PotterMEMORANDUM
November 19, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Application from Scott Potter for HOME Program Funds
Scott Potter has built two single reom occupancy (SRO) facilities on Garfield Avenue for
Iow and moderate income men since 2000. He and his family manage these facilities,
totaling 38 rooming units in two structures. Mr. Potter now intends to construct a third
facility adjacent to the properties he owns on Garfield. He has purchased a derelict
single family home that he intends to demolish; he then will construct a third SRO, with
rooms for 12 Iow-moderate income men. At the November 17 City Council meeting, a
requested rezoning for this purpose was approved.
Mr. Potter further intends to request that this property be designated an Urban
Revitalization District for purposes of City financial assistance through a 10-year
property tax abatement on improvements, This status was conferred on both Davis
Place properties previously constructed. This request has been justified by the Council
for reason of the high cost of new construction and the low ($250/month) rents allowed
under the terms of the previous financing secured by the Housing Department from the
Iowa Department of Economic Development for the two Davis Place buildings
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris is
recommending City Council approval to support the Potter application to the Iowa
Department of Economic Development for HOME Program funds for a 12 room SRO,
adjacent to the existing Davis Place on Garfield Avenue.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
19 November 03
To: Mike Va~,~ ~lligen, City Manager
From: David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
Re: Application from Scott Potter for HOME Program funds
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council's approval of the
attached resolution, indicating support from the City for an application from Scott
Potter to the Iowa Department of Economic Development for HOME Program
funds.
Discussion
Scott Potter has built two single room occupancy (SRO) facilities, on Garfield
Avenue, for Iow and moderate income men, since 2000. He and his family
menage these facilities, totaling 38 rooming units in two structures. He has done
an exemplary job in constructing and managing these facilities. He provides a
variety of supportive services to the residents, including counseling and referrals
to other social service agencies, and demonstrates a genuine level of concern for
the welfare of his tenants.
Mr Potter now intends to construct a third facility adjacent to the properties he
oWns on Garfield; these consist of the two Davis Place SROs and a single family
home, in which the project menager (his daughter) resides. He has purchased a
derelict single family home, which he intends to demolish; he then will construct a
third SRO, with rooms for 12 Iow-moderate income men. At the t7 November
City Council meeting, a requested rezoning for this purpose was approved.
Mr Potter intends to apply the Department of Economic Development for funds
from the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program. Working with the
Housing Department, we have met with IDED representatives, who have
encouraged the application for this purpose.
Mr Potter further intends to request that this property be designated an Urban
Revitalization District, for purposes of City financial assistance through a 10-year
property tax abatement on improvements. This status was conferred on both
Davis Place properties previously constructed. This request has been justified by
the Council for reason of the high costs of new construction and the Iow
($250/month) rents allowed under the terms of the previous financing secured by
the Housing Department from IDED for the two Davis Place buildings,
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Council support the Potter application to IDED for
HOME Program funds. The record that Scott Potter and his family have
established during the past two years in management of the Davis Place facilities
indicates that the proposed project should be similarly successful. Many very Iow
income individuals have been significantly assisted through the interventions of
the owner.
Action Step
The action requested of the City Council is to approve the attached resolution of
support for HOME Program funding for a 12-room SRO, adjacent to the existing
Davis Place on Garfield Avenue.
RESOLUTION NO. 484-03
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FROM SCOTT
POTTER TO THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT FOR HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (HOME)
PROGRAM FUNDS
Whereas, Scott Potter has successfully developed and managed two
single room occupancy (SRO) facilities on Garfield Avenue since 2000; and
Whereas, Mr Potter has worked in collaboration with the Housing and
Community Development Department in obtaining State and local funding for
these facilities; and
Whereas, a continuing need for single room occupancy housing remains,
as evidenced by full occupancy and a waiting list at the Davis Place facilities
developed by Mr Potter; and
Whereas, Mr Potter intends to make application to the Iowa Department of
Economic Development (IDED) for HOME Program funds to subsidize
construction of another Garfield Avenue facility, for 12 rooming units for Iow and
moderate income men
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The City is supportive of the application from Scott Potter for
HOME Program assistance from the Iowa Department of Economic
Development.
Passed, approved and adopted this 1st day of December, 2003.
Tetrance M Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F Schneider, CMC City Clerk