Minutes Housing Comm 9 14 05
MINUTES OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
14 September 2005
12:00 p.m.
Housing and Community Development Department
Vice-Chairperson Eddy called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance with Iowa
Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present:
Harry Neustadt
Dave Kapler (by phone)
Danita Grant
John Plein
Angie Mozena
Dorothy Schwendinger, OSF
Char Eddy
Commissioners Absent:
Dorothy Culbertson
Bill Helling
Jim Holz
Staff Present:
David Harris
Janet Walker
Tusdee Blus
Public Present:
None
New Business
Section 8 Administrative Plan Change: Assisting Victims of Hurricane Katrina
Janet Walker provided background for the Commission on HUD's request of assistance for Hurricane Katrina
victims. Based upon the information we currently have, there are approximately 50 persons in Dubuque at the
present time. We have had referrals; however, only one has applied to date.
Currently in our Plan we require proof of birth (birth certificate, state issued ID, etc.) and social security card. Staff
proposed to allow refugees to self-certify their birth and social security information should they not have these
documents at the time of application. It was also proposed to allow self-certification for criminal backgrounds. The
self-certifications must be in writing. This would allow for expeditious processing of applications in an effort to get
assistance to the Katrina victims as quickly as possible.
Janet stated that questions on their status as refugees would be verified through the American Red Cross, with
whom all Katrina victims are required to register, or with their former housing authority if they were already being
assisted in one of the affected states.
The question was raised as to whether or not these hurricane victims would just "walk away" with our vouchers.
Janet stated that our portability policy is still in place, noting that if the receiving housing authority is not absorbing,
we would not send them to the PHA. She also stated that may be asking to leave prior to the required year being
up, and we would have to revisit this as a potential situation.
Janet will provide an update to the Hurricane Katrina victim assistance status at the next meeting.
Commissioner Grant motioned to approve the Administrative Plan change to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina
as presented. Commissioner Mozena seconded. Roll call. All present in favor. Motion passed.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Schwendinger moved to adjourn.
Commissioner Plein seconded. Motion passed by a voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
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Tusdee Slus
Assisted Housing Secretary
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David Harris
Department Director