10/11/2005
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NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 11, 2005
Present: John Sabatier
Lisa Hughes
Donald Brackett
Josephine Carbone
Doug Booher
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent: Laurel Braswell
Peggy M. Cutkomp
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Howie Carroll
Michael Holmes
Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant Director of Housing
Housing Manager
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.
2 - Approval of Minutes - 7/19/05
Member Brackett moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 19, 2005,
as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Update on FY04-05 Action Plan Year
Assistant Director of Housing Howie Carroll discussed extensions approved for sub-
recipients due to program delays. Housing Manager Michael Holmes reviewed staff efforts to
monitor sub-recipients. While most agencies achieved their goals, staff is working with the
remainder by providing technical assistance to help establish accurate reporting and
performance standards. USHUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) has
expanded its goals.
4 - Update on FY05-06 Action Plan Year
Mr. Carroll anticipated that all sub-recipient agreements soon will be submitted. In the
past year, State funding was decreased again, representing half of what the funding level
should be. He expressed concern that the Congress had not adopted this year's appropriations
package yet and budgeted CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME
Investment partnership funds could be diverted to hurricane recovery. If funding is reduced
substantially, across the board cuts will be necessary and sub-recipients will be notified. He
cautioned sub-recipients to be aware of this possibility.
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5 - Discussion on Affordable Housina
Mr. Carroll reported affordable housing is a challenge in Florida, with a reduced
inventory of available affordable homes and significant increases to housing costs while salaries
have remained flat. Well-constructed homes in quality neighborhoods receive multiple bids. At
the same time, construction costs have increased substantially, with rehabilitation costs
increasing by 40% in the past year. With decreased revenues to address Affordable Housing
needs, there is less the City can do. The rental supply has decreased as many area apartments
have been converted to condominiums, at prices that are unaffordable for many residents.
While an $80,000 annual income is needed to afford the average Clearwater home, which sold
for $259,000 during the first half of 2005, the average family of four has an annual income of
$52,150.
The board has prepared a letter for the City Council, requesting that they focus on the
issue, keep it in the forefront, and support affordable housing. Mr. Carroll reported the
Homeless Policy Group's 10-year plan should be completed by December. A County ad hoc
committee, reviewing trust funds, inclusionary zoning, and other regulatory measures, will
present its report to the Board of County Commissioners on October 18, 2005. This year, the
Governor's Affordable Housing Commission issued an interim report, as the issue of preserving
affordable housing is so large. A full report will be completed by July 2006. Upcoming
problems include the expiring of affordable housing agreements. Many project-based Section-8
housing and other housing programs are scheduled to expire in the next 10 years. The loss of
tens of thousands of affordable units in Florida is anticipated during the next decade.
Discussion ensued with concerns expressed that razing Homer Villas will further
diminish the local supply of affordable housing, and at the same time Jasmine Courts is 12 to 18
months from beginning construction. Mr. Carroll reported previous Jasmine Court residents are
being tracked and the majority has remained in the County. Staff will provide board members
with tracking information details.
Sylvia Costello, of Partners In Self-Sufficiency, said the City has not stopped the decline
in local affordable housing, which severely impacts the poor. She criticized the loss of
emergency public housing, which is essential to those in serious situations, including
immigrants, those subjected to spousal abuse, etc. If affordable housing is defined as being
affordable to those who earn 80% to 100% of the median income, she said the City no longer
will have any last-resort housing. She said NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing
Advisory Board) has a significant responsibility to protect low-income residents.
6 - New/Old Business
Mr. Carroll reported the City Council will be asked to approve incorporating an equity
sharing provision in documents for homes purchased with some City funds. In escalating
markets, the FHA approves the process. The City's policy will provide seven-years of equity
sharing, will help stabilize neighborhoods, will prevent borrowers from flipping their property in a
couple of years and capitalizing at City expense, and will provide a new revenue stream for City
affordable housing efforts.
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7 - Next Meetina
The next meeting will be held in December for NAHAB to approve the FY (Fiscal Year)
2004/05 CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report). A copy of the
report will be forwarded to board members prior to the meeting.
Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
Chai
Neig borhood & Affordable
Housing Advisory Board
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