10/08/2013 NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 8, 2013
Present: Peggy M. Cutkomp Chair
Linda Kemp Vice Chair
Lisa Hughes Board Member
Michael Potts Board Member
Vacant Seat Board Member
Vacant Seat Board Member
Vacant Seat Board Member
Also Present: Michael Holmes Housing Manager
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 —August 13, 2013
Member Hughes moved to approve the minutes of the regular Neighborhood and
Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting of August 13, 2013, as recorded and submitted in
written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4—Citizens to be Heard re Items Not the Agenda: None.
5—SHIP Discussion
Housing Coordinator Terry Malcolm-Smith discussed the SHIP (State Housing Initiatives
Partnership) program and continued shortfall of SHIP funds, which the City previously used as a
match for Federal funds. She encouraged board members to lobby State legislators to restrict
use of Sadowski Act Trust Funds to housing needs, as originally legislated, and to not transfer
trust funds to the State's General Fund. Staff will report on the positive impacts of SHIP funds
in the community.
6 - Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program Applications
Housing Manager Michael Holmes said last year, the State did not issue LIHTC (Low-
Income Housing Tax Credit) Program funds. In response to the City's Request for Applications
for projects seeking a local government contribution to apply for the Fiscal Year 2013/14 LIHTC
Program, the City received 5 proposals; 1 arrived after the deadline. Based on its published
ranking process, the selection committee ranked the applications: 1) Garden Trail Apartments,
76 units-family (Garden & Eldridge); 2) Prospect Park Apartments, 95 units-family (Laura &
Martin Luther King Jr.); 3) Heritage at Cleveland, 75 units-elderly (Cleveland & Madison); and 4)
Vista City View, 60 units-family (Myrtle & Pierce). The fifth application for Prospect Lake
Reserve, 64 units-family (Martin Luther King Jr. & Pierce) was disqualified.
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2013-10-08 1
The top recommended project is Garden Trail Apartments, with 76 one-two- and three-
bedroom units in five buildings, designed to serve the family demographic. Amenities include a
swimming pool, clubhouse, grill area, and playground. After-school programs, employment
assistance counseling, and literacy training will be provided. The subject site is in the North
Greenwood Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. The development team, Southport
Development, Inc. (Developer), Vaughn Bay Construction, Inc. (Contractor), and Architectonics
Studio (Architect), has worked together on more than 10 successful affordable housing
communities during the past 5 years. The estimated total development cost is $11.5 million.
Staff recommends the City provide Garden Trail with a $75,000 funding commitment.
According to LIHTC program rules, only one project per Large County will be funded for
development through this tax credit cycle. Staff does not recommend commitments to other
projects. Final approval is scheduled for December 13, 2013. If a City of Clearwater project is
not funded, the commitment for General Fund Reserves would be released.
In response to questions, Mr. Holmes said the City does not support downtown
affordable projects as it wants market rate driven housing downtown; downtown has some low
income housing. Downtown has higher development costs and land values and its zoning is
designed to foster high-rise construction. Higher income levels are necessary to support
downtown activities.
It was stated that the recommendation does not reflect current efforts to decentralize
poverty and mix income populations. It was noted that downtown projects receive higher
scores. Concern was expressed that only middle class and wealthier residents will be able to
afford to live downtown.
Member Potts moved to recommend approval of Garden Trail Apartments for a $75,000
grant in General Fund Reserves to be set aside as a commitment for Clearwater's contribution
required for applicants to participate in Florida's Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
7 —Community Housing Development Organization Request for Proposals
Mr. Holmes said HOME Investment Partnerships Program allocations have decreased
significantly from more than $800,000 annually to approximately $290,000. The City must
reserve not less than 15% of its HOME income for investment in housing to be developed,
sponsored, or owned by CHDOs (Community Housing Development Organizations), which must
be recertified annually. A CHDO is a private, non-profit, community-based service organization,
with the primary purpose of providing and developing decent, affordable housing.
Homes for Independence, Inc., the housing branch of Abilities Inc. of Florida, is a not-for-
profit corporation established to serve as a CHDO and develop integrated affordable housing for
low and moderate income residents. HFI and Abilities own and operate 28 subsidized rental
units in Clearwater. Properties purchased with money from the City must remain affordable for
at least 30 years and assist in stabilizing neighborhoods and provide a continued source of
quality affordable rentals. HFI will set aside 100% of its units for use by households at or below
80% of the area median income.
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2013-10-08 2
Largo Area Housing Development Corporation (LAHDC) is a not - for - profit corporation
with a primary purpose to further the economic development of the community with emphasis on
promoting, assisting, and developing affordable housing, principally for low and moderate
income households. LAHDC has built several homes in the City.
Member Hughes moved to recertify the Largo Area Housing Development Corporation
as a CHDO. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Hughes moved to certify Homes for Independence, Inc. as a CHDO. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
8 — Revised NAHAB Rules & Regulations
Member Potts moved to adopt the revised NAHAB Rules and Regulations. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
9 — NAHAB Member Vacancy Update
Mr. Holmes said NAHAB has three vacancies: 1) citizen actively engaged as not -for-
profit provider of affordable housing; 2) citizen residing in the City; and 3) citizen representing
employers within the City. The City has received an application for the Clearwater resident
seat. Members were asked to encourage qualifying peers to apply.
10 — Old /New Business
Mr. Holmes distributed the 2014 NAHAB meeting schedule: January 14, February 11,
March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 4,
and December 9.
Items not on the Agenda
Discussion ensued regarding reports that UNO Federation Community Services, Inc.'s
new CEO was previously convicted for conspiracy to defraud. Concern was expressed that
Consolidated Action Plan funding approved for UNO should be withdrawn based on fiduciary
concerns. Mr. Holmes said the issue has been referred to City legal staff and HUD (Housing &
Urban Development) Department has been contacted. He will report on further action.
11 — Next Meeting — November 12, 2013
12 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:08 a.m.
Attest: Chair, .- • 1
Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2013 -10 -08
rhood & Affordable
Advisory Board
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