07/14/2009
NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 14, 2009
Present: Kip Corriveau Chair
Peggy M. Cutkomp Vice-Chair
Laurel E. Braswell Board Member
Lisa Hughes Board Member
Donald F. Brackett Board Member
William R. Griffiths Board Member
Linda Kemp Board Member
Also Present: Geri Campos Lopez Economic Development & Housing Director
Jim Donnelly Economic Dev & Housing Assistant Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
3 – Approval of Minutes
– May 12, 2009
A typo on page one was noted.
Member Hughes moved to approve the minutes of the regular NAHAB (Neighborhood &
Affordable Housing Advisory Board) meeting of May 12, 2009, as corrected. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 – FY 2009-2010 Consolidated Action Plan
Assistant Economic Development & Housing Director Jim Donnelly said the FY (Fiscal
Year) 2009/10 Consolidated Action Plan was presented yesterday to the City Council. HUD
(Housing & Urban Development) requires communities that receive CDBG (Community
Development Block Grant) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds to prepare a
comprehensive five-year Consolidated Plan and also create and implement an annual
statement identifying sources and uses of federal money for housing, and community and
economic development. This Consolidated Action Plan outlines the City’s housing, community
and economic development budget and proposed expenditures.
In FY 2009/10, staff estimates the City will receive $932,808 in CDBG funds, $251,549
from CDBG – Recovery, $589,019 from HOME, and $97,329 from SHIP (State Housing
Initiatives Partnership). Additional funding will come from program income funds and
unprogrammed prior year CDBG, HOME, SHIP, and Pinellas County Housing Trust Fund funds
(loan repayments, loan payoffs, recaptured funds, etc.). The total budget is $1,870,705.
Mr. Donnelly said next year SHIP funding is reduced by more than $1 million. The
Pinellas County Housing Trust Fund will not be funded in FY 2009/10. Funding for the City’s
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-07-14 1
housing program will be reduced by approximately $1.5 million. Use of CDBG funds for
homebuyer education is limited. Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos
Lopez said staff plans to use some recaptured funds for homebuyer education. Mr. Donnelly
expressed concern that the City had not received its fourth-quarter reimbursement from the
State. Home price data from 2006 represent the latest available figures.
Member Braswell moved that NAHAB recommends approval of the FY 2009/10
Consolidated Action Plan. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5 - FY 2009-2010 Amended LHAP
During the 2009 session, the Florida legislature allocated $30 million to aid the federal
government’s ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) of 2009, which provides up to
$8,000 in tax credits to first time homebuyers. The intent of the State’s strategy is to ensure that
Florida residents derive the maximum possible economic benefit from the tax credit. Each
jurisdiction is required to amend its LHAP (Local Housing Assistance Plan) to include the Florida
Homebuyer Opportunity Program strategy. Yesterday, the amended LHAP was presented to the
City Council.
The City was awarded $97,500 from SHIP to assist first-time homebuyers who purchase
their primary residence by December 1, 2009. The City will provide eligible homebuyers with up
to $8,000 in the form of a second mortgage. Homebuyers shall be expected to use their federal
income tax refund to fully repay the loan to the City. Homebuyers who fail to repay the loan
within 10 days of receiving their federal income tax refund shall be considered to be in default of
program terms. Default provisions will follow Federal/State guidelines.
Participant income is capped at $150,000 per family or $75,000 per individual. Home
prices are capped at $180,000. Participants must qualify for first mortgage financing, which
cannot be adjustable or subprime, and have a commitment from the lender. Mr. Donnelly did
not anticipate the City would receive program funds before late August 2009. To maximize
funding opportunities, staff will administer the program. The City can prioritize funding for low-
income residents. While this is an IRS (Internal Revenue Service) program, HUD is trying to
provide guidance for FHA loans. The program is being advertised for notice of funding
availability.
Concerns were expressed that Florida’s program was poorly planned. As the City
Council already decided to adopt the resolution, it was determined that board action was not
necessary.
6 - Boley Centers, Inc. – Covert Apartments Rehabilitation Project
Jack Humburg, representing Boley Centers, Inc., reviewed Boley Centers’ history,
mission, affordable housing operations, and the scope of the planned rehabilitation project at
the Covert Apartments, 1447 and 1451 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. The apartment complex, which
Boley Centers purchased in 1984, has eight two-bedroom and four one-bedroom apartments.
The VA (Veterans Administration) “Per Diem” program will provide a transitional housing
program for 13 homeless veterans who have serious and persistent mental illness. Participating
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-07-14 2
veterans also may have additional disabilities. Veterans will be housed in one one-bedroom
and six two-bedroom units. One two-bedroom unit will feature an accessible kitchen and rest
room. The program will provide one full-time and two part-time recovery coaches and 24-hour
on call staff. Five current tenants, who have mental health disabilities and are at or below 50%
of AMI (Area Medium Income), will not be relocated nor be part of the veterans program.
The VA award requires a local match. The City is requested to contribute $128,198
toward the $246,404 building rehab project. As the VA lowered its commitment to $94,015,
Boley Centers will make up the difference. Mr. Donnelly said the City cannot use federal funds
for the match; the Pinellas County Housing Trust Fund is the source of the City’s contribution.
In response to questions, Mr. Humburg said the initial VA commitment is for seven
years. He said Boley had intentionally reduced the number of complex residents in anticipation
of the VA program. Currently, the complex is not staffed. He said if needed, the staff also can
serve the five non-veterans. He hoped additional programs can be established in north county.
Member Griffiths moved that NAHAB recommends approval of a City contribution of
$128,198, from the Pinellas County Housing Trust Fund, toward building rehabilitation costs for
the Boley Centers’ Covert Apartments, at 1447 and 1451 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, which will
house a VA program aiding homeless disabled veterans. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
7 - Update of the NSP2 Program
Mr. Donnelly said a consortium has been formed through Neighborhood Lending
Partners that includes the City of Clearwater, City of Largo, Pinellas County, Pinellas County
Housing, and Pasco County. The consortium’s application is requesting $50 million from the $2
billion Federal NSP2 (Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2). If approved, the City would
receive between $2 million and $4 million. Rules for NSP1 were too stringent; the City did not
qualify for any funds. NSP2 allows funds to be used in any HUD-designated census track with
foreclosure related problems and includes a multifamily component for low income residents.
8 - Old/New Business
Ms. Lopez said the City-owned building that once housed the Blue Chip Bar will be
razed. Staff is awaiting market improvements before determining the best use for the property.
She hoped that removal of this structure will encourage the sale of nearby CNHS (Clearwater
Neighborhood Housing Services) houses.
Beneficial Communities’ Pineberry Senior Apartments project, at 1225 Highland Avenue,
has been granted State tax credits. South Port Financial’s Garden Trail project did not receive
tax credits. The closing of North Ward Elementary School now disqualifies that subject property
for this program’s funding, as it no longer will be within one mile of a school. The organization is
pursuing other federal funds.
9 - Citizens to be Heard
– None.
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10 - Next Meeting - October 13, 2009
Ms. Lopez said if necessary, a special meeting regarding the budget or policies will be
called before October 13.
11 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 9:47 a.m.
. ighborhood & Affordable
Advisory Board
Board Report
Attest:
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2009-07-14
4