Minutes_Housing Commission 1 25 11MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE: 25 January 2011
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 :02 pm.
Commissioners Present:
Staff Present:
Correspondence/Public Input
None
Lynn Sutton
David Kapler
Lisa McAllister
Commissioners Absent: Jim Holz Judie Root
David Harris
Janet Walker
Sister Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Ricardo Woods
Dorothy Culbertson
Cpl. Mike Kane
Jessica Kieffer
Public Present: Jerry Maro, Amanda Hohman, Anthony Allen, Greg McClenahan,
RF Stewart
Review and Certification of Minutes of 23 November 2010 Commission Meeting
Commissioner McAllister moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Sutton seconded.
Commissioners Schwendinger and Woods abstained. All others present in favor. Motion
passed.
Old Business
Commission Vacancies
David reminded the Commissioners that there are still two open seats on the Housing
Commission.
New Business
Request from Anthony Allen, Chair, Human Rights Commission, to address Commission
regarding joint goal setting
Anthony Allen explained that one of the goals of the Human Rights Commission is to establish a
tenant association, similar to the landlord's association, to empower tenants in the City of
Dubuque. This association would enable tenants to be educated on their rights, to ask questions,
discuss housing issues and to work with the landlord association. Anthony discussed that the
Human Rights Commission sponsored a testing of the housing market in regard to race and
disability, performed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. The Commission is awaiting the
results and once received, would like to educate the landlords and tenants and alleviate some of
the problems in the City of Dubuque. Anthony has proposed the Housing Commission have a
joint goal setting meeting on March 25 This meeting would unite the Housing Commission
and Human Rights Commission and both groups would help facilitate the educational
component. Ultimately Anthony would like to have a housing forum in August or September.
Commissioner Kapler suggested that when the results of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission
study are received, the information be shared with the Housing Commission and discuss again.
NIU study on crime and poverty
The Commissioners received an excerpted executive summary from the 700+ page report, plus a
staff summary prepared by Kelly Larson, Human Rights Dept Director. The Commissioners
mentioned that they would like to have a special meeting to discuss the study on crime and
poverty. Staff will coordinate a date for this meeting.
Request for appeal: Project Concern/HPRP homeless program
David explained that an application was received by Project Concern for the HPRP homeless
program. The applicant was a previous Section 8 participant, whose benefits were terminated for
failure to provide required information for an annual re- certification. This person would not be
eligible to reapply for the Section 8 program until April 2011. This information disqualifies
them from the HPRP homeless program until that time as well. Section 8 policy allows a Section
8 participant to request the Housing Commission to allow a staff appeal hearing. As the Section
8 and HPRP programs are administered according to the same policies, Project Concern has
prepared a request for appeal on the applicant's behalf.
The Commissioners received several letters of recommendation from service agencies currently
working with the applicant. The applicant was unable to attend the meeting due to training for a
new job and was represented by Amanda Hohman from Project Concern. Amanda explained the
applicant had been in an unhealthy relationship and was making poor choices at the time of this
relationship. She stated that the applicant is working voluntarily with DHS to improve her life
and would like the opportunity to have a staff appeal. Commissioners McAllister and Woods
stated that they would like to offer the opportunity for a staff appeal. Commissioner Woods
motioned to approve the request. Commissioner McAllister seconded. All present in favor.
Motion passed.
Request for project -based vouchers: Greg McClenahan, Evergreen Development
David explained that Greg McClenahan, with Evergreen Development in Minneapolis is
attempting to develop an `affordable assisted living facility' in Dubuque. He is interested in the
possibility of project - basing vouchers in connection with the project. This would require the
Housing Commission to approve a specific policy for use of housing vouchers for this purpose,
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at
5:34pm.
Minutes taken by:
Jessica Kieffer
Recording Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
David Harris
Department Director
create and publish an RFP to interested developers, and then select a qualifying proposal.
Mr. McClenahan stated that assisted living is unaffordable for 75% of elderly. The facility
would be 60 -70 units with rents ranging from $450 to $600 per month, located near Cedar Cross
Road and Lake Ridge Drive. The state of the art facility would have two meals furnished each
day, a social director and an office with staff available 24 hours per day. The Commissioners
received copies of the proposed rents and the floor plans for the 3 story building; which includes
a planting room, craft room and movie theater. Janet expressed concern that a one - bedroom
project -based unit was listed at $570 per month. If the facility would be in an exception rent
area, the payment standard for a one - bedroom unit would only be $514 per month. Mr.
McClenahan explained that at this time he is requesting sponsorship for up to 25% of the units to
be project- based. He stated that he would need a commitment letter stating this information
before 8 March 2011. Commissioner Schwendinger motioned to proceed with the steps to
sponsor up to 25% of the units as project -based vouchers, with staff working with Mr.
McClenahan regarding the rent rates. Commissioner Culbertson seconded. All present in favor.
Response: Landlord Surveys
The Commissioners received copies of the landlord responses to the surveys sent to find out their
satisfaction with the Section 8 program.
Information Sharing
Complaints Received
Commissioners received a summary of the complaints the Housing Department has received
since the last meeting.
Consolidated Plan FY2009
Commissioners received a copy of the consolidated end -of -year review from the HUD area office
for Program Year 2009.
December `Community Matters' newsletter
A copy of the Housing and CD Department newsletter `Community Matters' was distributed to
the Commissioners.
FSS recruiting update
Commissioners received an update of FSS recruitment, including a list of goals and a timeline to
implement each goal.
City Council approval of SCTF recommendations
Commissioners received a summary of the City Council approved SCTF recommendations
which included mandating that landlords conduct renter background checks, creation of a
"priority category" designation, and requirement for completion of the Crime Free Multihousing
Program training.
Rental Rehab Program (RRP) policy for use of funds
Commissioners received a copy of a memo outlining the uses for the Rental Rehab (RRP)
Program revenue uses.