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Minutes Housing Comm 12 21 04 MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING DATE: TIME: PLACE: 21 December 2004 4p.m. Carnegie-Stout Public Library Board Room Chairperson Kapler called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law. Commissioners Present: Angie Mozena Harry Neustadt John Plein Bill Helling Dave Kapler Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF Commissioners Absent: Dorothy Culbertson Char Eddy Danita Grant Jim Holz Staff Present: David Harris Tusdee Blus Janet Walker Public Present: Jo Ellen Reed Sarah Davidson Review and certification of Minutes of 26 October 2004 Commission Meetin!! Commissioner Plein moved to approve the 23 November 2004 Còmmission meeting minutes. Commissioner Schwendinger seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed. Correspondence I Public Input Jo Ellen Reed and Sarah Davidson, both Section 8 participants, were present for the meeting to provide input regarding the suggested reduction in voucher payment standards. Ms. Reed presented her position as to how the proposed changes would impact her. She passed out background documentation she felt would further depict her plight. Sarah Davidson addressed the Commission regarding the same. She shared some of her thoughts as to the future of the Section 8 program and her hopes of what it could become. She stated that her current unit is not accessible. She felt in an ideal situation, an accessible living space would be designed to provide her and others with disabilities a communal living environment (separate bedrooms, with one kitchen, bathroom, etc.). Both Sarah and Jo Ellen would like to see contractors on future projects solicit the input of disabled persons. David Harris addressed Sarah's concerns with her current unit and its non-compliance with ADA guidelines. He stated that Kelly Larson of Human Rights has gathered information on this issue and suggested that Sarah contact her with regard to accessibility violations. He also felt that we could offer the property owner a grant for accessibility improvements. Also, David stated that communal living is now allowed under Section 8 program regulations. And finally, he noted that John Gronen's Dubuque Casket Company project will offer persons with disabilities accessible units and supportive services. Jo Ellen questioned the impact of changing the voucher payment standards on persons of higher income, and whether it would force them off of the Section 8 program. Janet Walker stated that income has always affected participants due to the fact that the higher their income goes, the more they are responsible for. Once their income allows them to pay their entire rent, and this occurs for 6 months, the tenant is then no longer eligible to receive Section 8 assistance. Jo Ellen commented that if the payment standards are lowered, she felt the "poorest of the poor" would receive the same increase as those who have higher incomes ($500/mo. vs. $1,000/mo.) She asked if a safety net could be built into the system, and David stated that our safety net is our reserves, which he noted would be depleted within 2 - 3 years if changes are not made (I.e. lowering the payment standards). Jo Ellen suggested creating a committee to address the current and future problems of the Section 8 program. Commissioner Mozena spoke to the landlord's perspective regarding the decrease in VPS (voucher payment standards). She stated that landlords are frustrated with tenants who destroy their apartments. Jo Ellen made the suggestion that classes be required of tenants to instruct them on how to take care of their living space. Janet noted that there are restrictions on what we as a housing authority can require and she was not certain that this would be allowable as a requirement of participation. Janet then addressed questions from the Commission on how the voucher payment standards would actually change. Commissioner Helling asked where our reserves come from and David stated that it is a surplus acquired from under-spending since 1976 ($10,000 per year average profit). However, he also stated that HUD is examining the option of taking that money back and only allowing a one week reserve. At this time, David asked Janet to explain the VPS spreadsheet provided to the Commission in their packet. (For further discussion, see the item under "Old Business"). Old Business Amended Voucher Payment Standards Janet detailed the spreadsheet, noting the options that we have taken to combat the funding cuts, the current deficit, and the current budget compared. She also reviewed the upcoming months and what we have to do to maintain the 100% lease-up. The fourth page lists possible solutions to come up with additional funds. It also states what the VPS reductions would be based upon 90%, 95% and 100%, and notes the funding we've already filed for from HUD's central fund. She explained the hard-to-house numbers. Also she noted the net results for each option listed on the spreadsheet. David stated that if the Commission would approve the changes now, we could realize the full impact of the results for a complete 12 month period. Janet noted that HUD's intent is to make the tenants' payments higher and increase their responsibility, in an effort to spend less on the program. The effects will be widespread and could result in people doubling up (moving home) and increased pressure on faith-based agencies or homeless shelters to help those who drop out of the program. However, HUD is making this a directive and we have to take action to keep the program running within the guidelines we are given. Commissioner Neustadt asked about varying the percentages between the bedroom sizes (one and two bedroom to 100%, three four and five to 95% or even 90%), as opposed to a straight percentage decrease across the board. David stated that he could provide these calculations. Chairperson Kapler asked how would this impact the tenants and landlords, and Janet stated that at the higher percentage (100%) for the one bedroom units will only decrease the payment standard by $29, which would be the tenants' increase in their rental payments. New tenants going on the program and unit changes would be immediately affected. Either the landlords would have to lower their rents or the tenants would have to incur the increase. Commissioner Mozena stated that the $29 figure seemed more reasonable and easier to handle for the tenants and landlords, and that perhaps there could be a compromise with landlords lowering their rents and tenants paying higher amounts. Chairperson Kapler asked that Janet and David provide some variations on the scenario presented with regard to the percentages, and asked if the Commission would have more time to consider this. They were reluctant to make a decision at this time. Janet advised them that if they do not make a decision now, the soonest their decision would take affect would be February 1 st The Commission asked if the City Manager or the City Council would need or want to hear these options, and David said normally the Council would not be involved in this type of decision process. Commissioner Helling suggested that the Commission would like to table the discussion until the next meeting. David noted that the longer the decision is delayed, the higher the deficit will be for FY'2006. Commissioner Mozena asked if the decision were made, could they change it. Janet stated that they could change it at any time, but that whenever a decision is made on the payment standards, letters of notification must go out to both the landlords and tenants with appropriate notice and we would have to keep track of the different timeframes under each decision. It could become an administrative burden. David asked exactly what information the Commission would like to have at the next meeting, which Janet confirmed would be to work out the numbers for 1) 1 & 2 bedrooms at 100%, and others stay the same; and 2) 1 & 2 bedrooms at 100%, and the others at 90% and 95%. Commissioner Helling asked if there should be a special meeting to further discuss this issue. The Commission made the decision to meet January 11, 2005 at 4:00 pm at the City of Dubuque Housing Department. New Business Request for Appeal: Heather Tindell Janet stated that Ms. Tindell did not appeal in the timeframe necessary. She was evicted from her unit and will not be ineligible until April 2007. She is requesting to be allowed back onto the program before 2007. Commissioner Helling motioned to deny Ms. Tindell's request for a hearing. Commissioner Plein seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed. Information SharinQ VA Definition of Non-Service Connected Disability Janet clarified for the Commission that the Non-Service Connected disability means the person developed a condition that has nothing to do with the military but they are determined disabled. Service Connected is anything that was connected with military work and it happened during military service. Adiournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Plein moved to adjourn. Commissioner Mozena seconded. Motion passed by a voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Minutes taken by: g ~dee. [ßf.uð Tusdee Blus Assisted Housing Secretary ~~~I~y submitted by: ~~ÎHt~ Department Director