04/11/2006
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NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 11, 2006
Present: Lisa Hughes
Donald Brackett
Laurel Braswell
Peggy M. Cutkomp
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Absent: John Sabatier
Josephine Carbone
Doug Booher
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Howie Carroll
Michael Holmes
Brenda Moses
Assistant Director of Housing
Housing Manager
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 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 - February 14. 2006 Meetinq
Member Brackett moved to defer approval of the February 14, 2006 minutes to the next
meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 - Action Item - FY06-09 State Housino Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) - Local Housinq
Assistance Plan
Assistant Director of Housing Howie Carroll said SHIP (State Housing Initiatives
Partnership), one of the City's most flexible programs, provides funds for rehabilitation,
emergency repairs, renovations, and down payment assistance. The City currently is scheduled
to receive $1 million beginning July 1,2006. The exact amount will depend upon legislative
actions during this year's legislative session. With increasing property values, higher down
payment requirements, etc., additional funds are needed for affordable housing. Last year's
average home price of $269,000 in Clearwater required approximately $80,000 in annual
income. The City must use 50% of SHIP funds for homeownership. In the new plan, there is a
new eviction protection program to assist homeowners with hardships, residents in danger of
eviction, and homeless persons who lack deposits for rental housing. The State now allows the
City to implement a disaster mitigation strategy to use unencumbered SHIP funds for disaster
recovery. The FY (Fiscal Year) 2006-09 Local Housing Assistance Plan will be presented to the
City Council on April 20, 2006.
Member Cutkomp moved to approve the SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan for FY
2006-09. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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5 - Update on FY06-07 Consolidated Action Plan Process
Mr. Carroll said staff is reviewing the 35 applications received on the March 24, 2006,
deadline for the FY 2006/07 Consolidated Action Plan cycle. No bus tour is proposed, as no
new organizations had submitted applications. A public hearing on recommended allocations
will provide organizations an opportunity to discuss their applications and the action plan
process. The City's goal is to present NAHAB (Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory
Board) with recommended allocations on May 9,2006, before inviting public comment during
the next 30 days. On July 11, 2006, staff will present NAHAB with recommended allocations for
board review and recommendations, which then will be presented to the City Council on July 20,
2006. The allocation requests are due to USHUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development) by August 15, 2006. In response to a question, Mr. Carroll said staff plans to
provide the TRC (Technical Review Committee) with the applications on April 28, 2006, for
committee review and ranking.
6 - Affordable Housinq Discussion
In reference to a member query in February regarding the board's role related to
affordable housing efforts, Mr. Carroll requested input on what members feel their role should
be and the type of information they want provided. Affordable housing has become a major
discussion topic throughout the country. As the City develops ideas for new strategies,
programs, or policies related to affordable housing, staff provides NAHAB members with all
pertinent information. Information regarding a mobile home ordinance, drafted by the City
Attorney's office, will be provided. The City and County are partnering on an Affordable
Housing Nexus study to determine affordable housing needs and if other affordable housing
programs/incentives are needed.
It was recommended that the board discuss its role in affordable housing issues when
the full board is present.
7 - New/Old Business
Mr. Carroll reported the City received a satisfactory rating on its annual CAPER
(Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report) and the recent SHIP monitoring
reports.
Mr. Carroll reported on the passing of former NAHAB member Joyce Smith, whose
contribution to the community is appreciated. She will be missed.
Mr. Carroll urged members to remain abreast of legislative discussions regarding
funding issues. If CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds are reduced, it is hoped
that an increase in SHIP funding will help offset operating cost reductions. He expressed
concern that CDBG funds may be reduced by up to 30%.
In response to a question, Mr. Carroll said funds in a State Trust, from which SHIP funds
originate, have been reduced and redirected. According to reports he has heard, Mr. Carroll
said a large surplus remains, with more than $300 million not yet appropriated.
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Public Comment
In response to a question from Jerrv Soilatro, CSF (Community Service Foundation), Mr.
Carroll said the Rent Deposit System Eviction Program might be funded at a level of only
$20,000 to $30,000. Mr. Spilatro said CSF had submitted a second application to assist renters.
He said that mobile home relocations and condominium conversions create challenges for
families to find affordable rental housing. He requested that the NAHAS closely review CSF's
new application. In response to a question, Mr. Carroll said households that are considered to
have moderate annual incomes require City approval to receive down payment assistance.
8 - Next Meetinq - May 9.2006
9 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:29 a.m.
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Soard eporter
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