Housing and Community Development – March 9, 2024

Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting Recap – March 19, 2024

On March 19, 2024, the City’s Housing and Community Development Committee (HCD) convened a remote meeting to review applications for vital funding programs designed to address housing needs and foster community development within our city. This meeting, focused solely on the work of the HCD Committee (and not other related boards or commissions), provided a crucial update on how resources are being allocated to support these important initiatives.

A primary focus of the meeting was a detailed review of applications submitted for the Fiscal Year 2025 Housing Trust Fund. Affordable Housing Officer Sasha Burtynski presented an overview of seven projects seeking a total of $9.8 million in loans, though only $4.2 million is currently available for distribution. Several projects stood out during the discussion, including “Rowers Affordable,” a 126-unit development at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) requesting $3.9 million; “Overlook 157,” a senior housing project with 72 units at 80% AMI seeking $2 million; and “Starpoint 16 Restaurant Court,” a development featuring 60 units, including some designated for youth aging out of foster care, requesting $1.5 million. A pilot program utilizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to provide supportive housing also garnered attention, seeking $40,000 to expand the program by two additional units. The committee will continue reviewing these applications and is expected to present funding recommendations to the City Council in April.

The committee also received an update from Dennis Newbern, Community Development Division Manager, regarding the application process for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Thirteen applications were received, requesting a total of $1.8 million, but the city anticipates approximately $1.34 million will be available for funding. Committee members were tasked with reviewing and scoring these applications, a deadline set for Tuesday, March 26th. Newbern noted that the city is anticipating potentially lower funding levels than in previous years, highlighting the importance of adhering to established eligibility guidelines.

While the meeting provided valuable insights into ongoing initiatives, no final funding decisions were made during this session. The committee approved the minutes from their February 20th meeting via a roll call vote, demonstrating a commitment to transparent governance. Notably, there was no public comment during the meeting despite the availability of live streaming and a phone-in option. New staff members Deborah Johnson, Lori Moore, and Kaylee Pulliam were formally introduced to the committee.

Looking ahead, HCD staff will continue their review of the Housing Trust Fund applications and prepare funding recommendations for April’s City Council consideration. Committee members are required to complete their CDBG application scoring by March 26th, and residents with questions or needing assistance should contact Lori Moore. Ultimately, this meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to address housing challenges and strengthen our community through strategic funding allocations. The decisions made in April will directly impact the availability of resources for crucial housing and community development projects across our city.