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05/26/1998 - Special NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 26, 1998 Present: Mary Myhill Chair Howard Groth Vice-Chair Milly Joplin Board Member Mayme W. Hodges Board Member - arrived 7:07 p.m. William Turner, Sr. Board Member Rev. William Graham Board Member Warren Hunt Board Member Vacant Seats(2) Board Member Frank Cassara Technical Review Committee Member Alan J. Ferri Housing & Urban Development Director Michael Holmes Housing & Urban Development Assistant Director Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the special meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall to hear the Consolidated Plan Agency Presentations for FY (fiscal year) 1998/99. Boys & Girls Clubs - Public Services - Request $15,000 Rosalie Murray, representative, reviewed the Boys & Girls Clubs program at Condon Gardens which serves 6- to 17-year-old children. The 10-week all-day summer program serves 60. The Pinellas County School District provides tutors to help with school work. If not funded, the agency will curtail some services and programs, and serve fewer children. The program has more than 200 members. Career Options - Economic Development - Request $75,000 Donald Rutledge, representative, reviewed Career Options’ history and indicated the agency is developing a one-stop site to serve client needs. Career Options has partnered with local agencies for training and follow-up services. Its programs are promoted through the media and North and South Greenwood agencies. The program cannot operate without the requested funds, which represent 48% of the agency’s program budget. Mr. Rutledge reviewed cuts in Federal and State support for adult and GED training and youth programs. The proposed program will provide technical skills training for at least 25 individuals at an approximate cost of $3,000 each to cover tuition, books, support services, transportation, clothing, etc.. In response to a question, Mr. Rutledge said the Youth Builders program is no longer funded. He said some private industry does provide OJT (on-the-job training). It was questioned if there is a waiting list of candidates for the program. Mr. Rutledge said due to a lack of funding, his agency turns away many young adults who seek training. The program will train individuals for positions that pay at least $15,000 per year. Career Options works with area technical schools for basic skills assessments, vocational counseling, supportive services, etc. The program’s goal is to develop self-sufficient individuals. Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project - Public Services - Request $56,012 Terry Hammond, representative, reviewed CHIP’s (Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project) history. CHIP acts as the umbrella agency and is the applicant for facility subcontractors, including the Salvation Army. The 48-bed facility provides space for homeless agencies and emergency space for families. Case managers will meet bi-weekly. It is estimated the project will serve 2,400 unduplicated individuals next year. The requested funds will support key staff. In response to a question, he said program costs average $170 per individual. Providing the entire spectrum of care costs $2,500. Clearwater Housing Authority - Public Services - Request $19,000 Sylvia Costello, representative, said funds are requested for a CHA (Clearwater Housing Authority) training project for low income residents. During the 12 to 18-month program, clients will be paid between $6.00 and $6.75 per hour to work for CHA while being groomed and mentored during the 3 months they spend in each department. After training, these clients will qualify for internal vacant positions or other permanent positions in the community. The requested funds will cover training salaries and fringe benefits. Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services - Economic Development - Request $ 75,000 - Home Ownership - Request $125,000 - Housing Rehabilitation - Request $250,000 Isay Gulley, representative, said CNHS (Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services) provides a holistic approach to home ownership, housing rehabilitation, and economic development. Program delivery fees offset operational costs and make up 13% of the agency’s overall budget. She said the $475,000 requested will be leveraged with $4,953,802. Ms. Gulley reviewed the agency’s 20-year history increasing home ownership, preventing foreclosure, and attracting outside funds to the City. While the agency’s main focus is South Greenwood, CNHS will proceed with neighborhood revitalization projects in North Greenwood. The agency reduced its request this year as fewer dollars are available for distribution. As part of a national effort, CNHS has committed to build 30 houses during each of the next 5 years. The agency also will provide some down-payment assistance. In response to a question, Ms. Gulley reviewed CNHS’ success at leveraging private sector money and indicated economic development efforts include the agency’s appointment as a pilot micro-enterprise program. Since 1992, the agency’s micro-loan fund has funded 3 new businesses. Five other business plans are on target. Community Health Centers - Public Facility - Request $94,000 Ken Sabia, representative, said the agency is the largest provider in Pinellas County of medical care for indigent children and pregnant women. The sliding fee scale is designed for the uninsured. The requested funds will be used to construct a 123 square-foot addition for counseling and waiting areas. He estimated the enlarged facility will serve 150,000 individuals within the next 10 years. The project will not require additional operating funds. Without the money, the addition will not be built. All funding received by the program is used for operations. In response to a question, Mr. Sabia indicated the agency intends to renew its lease with the Salvation Army which owns the building. The additional space will allow social workers to provide clients with appropriate referrals in a private setting. The agency currently sees between 10,000 and 15,000 prenatal cases annually. In response to a question, he felt the location is convenient to meet walk-in needs. In case of emergencies, the agency tries to meet client needs. Community Services Foundation - Fair Housing - Request $ 10,000 - Home Ownership - Request $100,000 - Home Ownership Training - Request $ 10,000 Jerry Spilatro, representative, reviewed CSF’s (Community Services Foundation) mission to help low-income families find and keep affordable housing. The program, with more clients than anticipated, expects to serve 360 family members this year. CSF works with local agencies and tries to avoid problems early. He said this year CSF purchased 2 distressed properties to rehabilitate and sell to low-income families. He hoped the program will expand with 3 houses planned for this year. Funding provided by the City will be highly leveraged. Mr. Spilatro said of 150 mortgage class participants, half purchased homes. The 5-part budget series helps prepare residents for home-ownership. Post-purchase counseling has been successful. CSF board members represent Realtors, County government. utility companies, etc. In response to a question, Mr. Spilatro said most of the 500 projected clients will be new. CSF has 76 rental properties. In response to a question, Mr. Spilatro said CSF provides fair housing services and distributes a brochure outlining fair housing laws. CSF is involved with counseling, intervention, and eviction. The program offers classes to landlords, also. In response to a question, he estimated approximately half of CSF’s 3,500 annual clients live in Clearwater. CSF is the designated agency to provide rental and utility assistance north of Ulmerton Road. CSF provides budget and mortgage classes county-wide and bills each municipality for the services. CSF also partners with the private sector. Girls, Inc. - Public Services - Request $36,500 Sue Caddel, representative, said Girls, Inc. serves approximately 100 girls annually at its Condon Gardens location. The program to prevent adolescent pregnancy provides information, sex education, and assertiveness skills training. The agency also teaches children to resist the pressures of drug and alcohol abuse. The “Operation Smart” program increases students’ confidence with math, science, and computers. Beyond recreation, the program seeks to develop values and morals, build self-esteem, decision making and socialization skills, violence prevention, anger management, divorce adjustment, and individual counseling. The program is requesting additional funds to cover utility and transportation expenses previously paid by another donor. Habitat for Humanity - Home Ownership - Request $75,000 Robin Reardon, representative, said sweat equity provides participants a sense of ownership. The requested funds will be used to purchase lots. Private sources cover building costs. In the City, 2 houses are under construction and 2 lots are ready for groundbreaking. The agency holds the 20-year interest free mortgages. To reduce costs, some mortgages have been extended to 25 years. The average Habitat for Humanity house is 1,200 square-feet with 3 bedrooms and costs $45,000. Monthly payments of less than $300 permit low-income families to purchase homes. In response to a question, Mr. Schwartz said the organization is Christian but serves and collaborates with many denominations. In response to a question, he said to minimize participation costs, the agency does not charge interest. The homes have no frills except air-conditioning. Payments from current homeowners finance new construction. He estimated between 80% and 85% of Habitat for Humanity’s budget is spent on construction. In response to a question, he said a volunteer site selection committee searches for lots. He said a 7-house project in Dunedin has encouraged residents to improve neighboring homes. Head Start - Public Facility - Request $134,559 Ed Dickey, representative, reviewed Head Start’s local role in early childhood development for low-income residents. The agency has 15 locations in Pinellas County. The agency serves 80 children at its Missouri Street facility, which is owned by the City and dilapidated. The agency requests 100% funding to construct a new building that will serve 60 children. Twenty children will be served in portables. Head Start collaborates with other agencies to address children’s needs. In response to a question, he said the failure of the project planned for South Greenwood resulted in residents traveling farther to access services. Homeless Emergency Project - Housing Rehabilitation - Request $56,216 Barbara Green, representative, said HEP (Homeless Emergency Project) plans to use the funds to rehabilitate 4 houses for individuals and families in emergency homeless shelters. HEP will provide services to these individuals and support them toward self-sufficiency. She noted problems associated with homelessness include mental illness and dysfunction. In response to a question, she said clients will stay between 6 and 18 months. The agency has approximately 30 houses in the City. All require expensive maintenance and are affected by costly new code requirements. Kimberly Home - Public Facility - Request $95,000 Kate Kelley, representative, reviewed the agency’s background as a crisis pregnancy center. She noted the critical shortage in day care slots. The agency has raised 76% of the cost to raze an adjacent building and construct an infant and child care facility. This request is for the other 24%. In response to a question, she said the submitted budget does not reflect this project. Partners In Self-Sufficiency - Public Services - Request $50,000 Sylvia Costello, representative, reviewed the agency’s background helping low-income individuals attain self-sufficiency. The program now includes a home-ownership component and a 2-year follow-up. The program has received a national merit award and is being used as a welfare to work program model for USHUD (U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development). She reported 15 families achieved self-sufficiency last year and, in the past 18 months, 9 families have purchased homes. The agency maintains partnerships with other local agencies and is earning some money through training programs. The request covers salaries. The 2nd position is being expanded from half-time to full-time. The agency hopes to expand its services in Pinellas County. Pinellas Opportunity Council - Public Services - Request $34,923 Joan Lanier, representative, said the Chore program provides services to senior citizens who cannot do the work themselves and cannot afford to hire help. The 30-year-old agency has been providing chore services to county residents for 21 years. The funds requested to cover 2 salaries and fringe benefits include a small pay increase. She reviewed an average day, noting it is difficult to refuse any request. She complimented the compassion of her dedicated staff. Serenity Club - Public Facility - Request $29,500 David Maley, representative, said the 27-year old AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) group had purchased the property to provide services to individuals with addiction problems. Funds are requested to upgrade the bathroom facilities to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements and the needs of handicapped clients. The organization is self-sufficient and has installed the necessary ramp. The organization plans to expand support groups and begin services to address teen addiction. The wonderful job the agency does in the community was noted. In response to a question, Mr. Maley estimated 5 clients use wheelchairs. Tampa Bay CDC - Home Ownership - Request $197,000 Greg Schwartz, representative, reviewed the agency’s partnership with other agencies. The agency helped with 208 loans last year. The agency also is acquiring and rehabilitating properties with a federal grant. He reported a model home is being constructed on property the City acquired last year on Pierce Street at Evergreen. He said 3 of the 8 single-family residences have been pre-sold. The agency is working with local lenders. The City is taking back secondary financing. He reported club members purchased approximately 21 homes in the City last year. Member Joplin reported she will not grade Tampa Bay CDC’s (Community Development Corporation) application due to a conflict of interest. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.