HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-27 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 27, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Carol Voisin called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. at the Community Development and Engineering
Services Building, 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR 97520.
Commissioners Present: SOU Liaison Alexandra
Armarotico,absent
Carol Voisin, Chair
Richard Billin Council Liaison: Alice Hardesty
Steve Hauck
Aaron Benjamin Staff Present::
Graham Lewis Brandon Goldman, Housing
Specialist
Carolyn Schwendener, Account
Clerk
Absent Members:
Regina Ayars
Bill Smith
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Hardesty/Billin m/s to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2008 meeting. Voice Vote: Approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one came forth to speak
Julie French from the Ashland Daily Tidings was present.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
2008-2009 Application Review
Goldman explained that the CDBG program is a federal program by which communities around the country receive direct
allocations of funds. Specifically each community has to meet specific federal goals. The primary goal being that at least 51
percent of the people benefiting from the use of CDBG funds must be of low income. Goldman handed out the Annual Action
Plan Development which includes the fourteen goals as put forth by the Federal Government and explained what Ashland will
do to address those goals. Ashland receives about $200,000 each year from the Federal Government. Goldman stated it’s a
decreasing number, the year prior was $213,000 and at one point it was up to $256,000. The goals don’t change just the
available funding to meet them.
Goldman reviewed Ashland’s goals the first three of which relate to Housing.
1. To increase the supply of affordable rental housing
2. To increase homeownership opportunities
3. Maintain existing affordable Housing supply
4. Address homelessness
5. Encourage the development of emergency and transitional housing
6. Support Housing with people with special needs
7. Provide alternative transportation routes.
8. Make city facilities easier and safer to use for people with disabilities
9. To affirmatively further fair housing
10. Assure activities assisted by the City are conducted in compliance
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
1
MINUTES
March 27, 2008
11. Reduce the number of people living in poverty in the city
12. Promote and support activities in the community that improve or provide access to economic opportunities
13. Remain aware of the barriers to affordable housing
14. Provide institutional structure and intergovernmental cooperation
The CDBG Program requires a public hearing opportunity. One before the Housing Commission (this meeting) and one before
the City Council on April 1, 2008. Goldman said that although they had $355,000 to award they only had one request for
$10,000 leaving $345,000 on the table. With the development of next years action plan the city will want to identify that they
can expend those funds during that period. The City has to expend a portion of it or lose it.
Goldman noted some potential uses of the CDBG funds in the coming year.
There will be a five unit town home project on Chitwood Lane off of Clay Creek behind the Ashlander apartments. The
City Council award development rights to RVCDC. One opportunity of expending the CDBG funds would be the road
extension on Chitwood Lane along the frontage of those affordable housing units.
Land acquisition.
Rehabilitation of existing affordable housing. The Housing Authority of Jackson County sent a letter that states that
they were interested in applying for CDBG funds but was not far enough along in their project to make an application.
They are working on rehabilitating a 51 unit development on Clay Street. (The Strafford apartments)
Goldman summarized the Fair Housing Council of Oregon’s application.
Mr. Moloy Good, Acting Director for the Fair Housing Council of Oregon called the Commissioners on the speaker phone to
answer questions regarding their application. Mr. Good stated that the Fair Housing Council is a private non profit whose
mission is to eliminate housing discrimination in all of Oregon and Southwest Washington. They strive to accomplish this goal
with three main foci:
Education to the general public
Outreach regarding fair housing laws
Enforcement
Mr. Good said what they are proposing to do for Ashland is primarily education and outreach. They are proposing to do two
specific Fair Housing trainings and a workshop for service providers. Some of the CDBG money would go to the hotline and
some to the staff who take the complaints and perform the services they typically do.
Questions from the Commissioners
Voisin- What is your annual budget? Why are you going to cities and not a donor base?
Mr. Good - Our budget is below $500,000 a year for the whole state. Mr. Good explained they have historically gone to CDGB
jurisdictions for this particular type of funding and have gotten grants from Portland, Multnomah County, Eugene, Bend and
Springfield. Over the years they have also received funds from Salem and Washington County. Mr. Good said that they do
attempt to do fund raising from private donors, usually an event. At the end of April they will be doing a bus tour in Portland of
sites showing housing discrimination. They found in the past if you go out to the general public to raise funds its not often there.
People often look at what they do and think its services that should be funded by the government, raising private money can be
difficult.
Lewis - In 2007 how many hotline calls did you get from Ashland? Do you have a source of clients other then the hotline?
Mr. Good – They received 19 calls and of those about 8 were referred on to an enforcement agency. When they get a call on
the hotline and after assessing the situation it might be beyond the stage where they can help them so they refer them to an
enforcement agency of attorneys who might be able to get them compensation.
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
2
MINUTES
March 27, 2008
They try and direct most people through the hotline because its one way to guarantee they can keep a record so clients don’t
fall through the cracks. They do have an email address which is found on the website which anyone can utilize.
Benjamin – Describe your staffing pattern. Give us a typical scenario when you receive a complaint on the hotline. What would
be the steps as they would apply in Ashland?
Mr. Good – Mr. Good said that they have nine employees two of which are part time. One of the part time employees works
predominately from home.
Mr. Good is the Acting director
Diane Hass is the Education Director
Two specialists assist Diane.
Under enforcement they have two intake specialists who operate the hotline working 5 days a week from 9:00 to 4:30.
Testing coordinator
One full time Administrative person
Part time person helps with Administration
Mr. Good reviewed the steps they take when a call comes in.
When the call comes in the staff person asks a series of questions and through that they are able to screen out if this is
a landlord tenant problem or whether it’s actually a Fair Housing problem.
If it is a Fair Housing problem they would then set an appointment with that person for an interview. Most of their
interviews are done over the phone and takes about an hour. They gather Information about the incident they are
complaining about and determine if the case is testable.
Once the intake interview is completed they have a series of informal meetings as well as enforcement meetings at
which time the intake person would discuss the situation with the testing coordinator and Mr. Good and come up with a
plan of action. If it’s testable the testing coordinator would assign a test for that situation. The testing would probably
be done over the phone they don’t require to have people in Ashland to do the testing. Once the testing results came
back they would share the results with the complainant. If the situation is not testable they would evaluate to see if
there is any advocacy they could do and get them the housing they need.
Actions taken might be: file with HUD, send to a private attorney or retest it.
Goldman thanked Mr. Good and explained that at this point the Housing Commission will go into deliberation regarding this as
well as the expenditure of the remaining funds. Goldman will call Mr. Good back on April 2, 2008 and let him know the outcome.
This is the first meeting but City Council will be reviewing it on April 1, 2008.
The Commissioners discussed this application. Benjamin commented about the distance to Portland and wondered how
effective a phone conversation could really be? His experience tells him they need a person present. Hardesty, wondered how
the testing would go if they can’t do it in person. Goldman noted there is the center for non profit legal aid here who will accept
calls in terms of fair housing violation if the Fair Housing Council of Oregon determined there was an issue. If the person is
earns less then 80% median income they would qualify to be referred to the center for non profit legal service to get direct
landlord/tenant legal questions answered.
Graham asked if the measurement would be an increase in calls to the hotline. Goldman stated that it makes sense that if
people aren’t aware that there are fair housing laws, they’re not going to be calling. Hauck said not only tenants but providers
of housing would benefit from the education locally.
Billin made a motion to recommend to the City Council that the CDGB be expended as recommended by staff.
Realizing that Cate Hartzell had filled out a speaker request form but not been given the opportunity to talk Billin made a motion
to “unmove” \[rescind\] the motion.
Voisin opened the public hearing for discussion.
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
3
MINUTES
March 27, 2008
Cate Hartzell spoke - Ms. Hartzell commented that though the proposal sounded like a decent effort she wondered what
percentage of the calls they got from Ashland resulted in filings with HUD verses referring them to a separate attorney verses
direct assistance. The Commissioners explained to Ms. Hartzell that Mr. Good told them eight of the nineteen calls were
referred to other enforcement agencies. Hauck explained that often they are already beyond what they can do for them. Ms.
Hartzell asked if the money they will receive is going to be for the workshop or for fielding calls. The proposal says the money
will be used for three workshops and the hotline. Ms. Hartzell said the reason she is asking is that she wants to be sure the
Housing Commission knows where the benefit is and how much we would handle down here without them anyway. Voisin
explained to Ms. Hartzell that they do three things, education, outreach and enforcement.
Voisin closed the public hearing.
Hauck/Voisin m/s that the Housing Commission recommends to the City Council that the $10,000 be allocated as
recommended by staff. Voice Vote. Approved
Goldman said assuming the City Council concurs with the recommendation; an Action Plan will be developed and come back to
the Housing Commission on April 24. It will be drafted and available for the public to review as of April 15, 2008.
The Commissioners discussed the development of the Action Plan.
Voisin opened session for public comment on 2008 & 2009 CDGB Action Plan.
Cate Hartzell spoke – Ms. Hartzell informed the Commission that she is the Council Liaison to the County’s task force that is
developing a 10 year plan to end chronic homelessness. Ms. Hartzell wanted to stress the importance that anything in this
consolidated plan that touches on homelessness should be a priority. Goldman said there are two specific goals touching on
homelessness goal four and goal five. Goal four states to provide support of services for homeless prevention and transition
into Housing. This is essentially providing a non profit organization a grant to have a transitional Housing Specialist. Goal five is
to encourage the development of emergency and transitional housing for homeless families with children and or individuals.
Regarding our camping ban Ms Hartzell has learned that unless we can provide housing for homeless people we can’t ticket
them. It is a pressing problem and in a broader section of the community. Hartzell wanted to encourage the Commission to be
receptive to using some of the CDGB money over the next couple of years to get housing to this part of the population.
Hardesty asked if something like transportation between Ashland and the shelter in Medford could be something that would
help. Ms. Hartzell believes the shelters should be in the Communities in which they live.
Closed the public hearing
REPORTS AND UPDATES
Subcommittee Reports
Education – No meeting/no report
Land Use – No meeting/no report
Finance – No meeting/no report
Liaison Reports
Council – Hardesty referred to Ms. Hartzell and asked if she had any comments from the City Council
meeting that might pertain to Housing. Ms. Hartzell commented that the Council will be looking at the
adoption of the economic opportunities analysis and the rental needs analysis. Hardesty inquired about
when the joint meeting will be held regarding the annexation and zone changes. Goldman noted that
Planning Commissioner John Stromberg sent out an email to other Planning Commissioners asking for
their participation in the Ad Hoc meeting. Goldman has not heard back from him yet. Hardesty shared her
concerns regarding the time table involved with the ordinance changes. She is concerned that if there is
housing in the Croman property master plan project and it is adopted before the recommendations for the
zone changes that might trump what we want in terms of changes to the zone change ordinance. Brandon’s
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
4
MINUTES
March 27, 2008
understanding is that if a master plan was adopted your essentially establishing the comprehensive plan for
that area. In order to develop they would still have to go through an application for a zone change.
Benjamin said the LCDC is recommending that communities look at the urban growth boundaries with the
notion of locating areas of affordable housing. They suggested that it be done on a voluntary basis.
Planning Commission – No report
Ad-Hoc/Public Meeting Updates
Facilities Plan – Hardesty reported they met with the consultants who presented a first draft with changes
and expansions within city departments and possible remodels to accommodate improvements needed and
rearrangement of staff. They took a look at city owned lands and yards. The City has various yards with
different pieces of equipment and they would like to consolidate them into one yard. On April 10, 2008 the
th
Committee will be taking a tour of City owned property and the yards including the gun club. April 24 at
6:00 will be an open house for the public at the Community Center. Voisin said one issue being discussed
is what to do with the second fire house. Hardesty is hoping that the consolidation of yards will provide
some excess City owned land that they can put affordable housing on or sell and put affordable housing
somewhere else. Graham is working with Ashland Service Club for Healthy Choices in getting the Grove
revitalized as a teen center. They are a group of service club people who meet to look at sustainable ways
for youth and parents in Ashland make healthy choices about lifestyle.
Croman Master Plan – Benjamin reported that there were four alternatives presented. Benjamin was
specifically looking at the possibility of affordable housing opportunities. He felt that the consultants were
somewhat dismissive of it. Affordable/workforce housing was not really discussed at all. Benjamin said
the main topics dealt with whether to have light industry verses campus type high tech development. They
also presented an introduction of an alternate thoroughfare. Graham said that one of the proposals takes
Tolman Creek Road and turns it more into a neighborhood street rather then it being an arterial street. The
arterial from Ashland Street up to Siskiyou would run directly through the new development. Graham’s
understanding from attending some of the meetings is that ODOT would be happy to swap their property
on Mistletoe for other property that would continue to give them ready access to I-5 and the pass for snow
issue.
Goldman gave an update on the Strawberry property. The final survey for the three lots on Strawberry is
going to the City Council on April 1, 2008 for signature as a consent agenda item. Once that is done then
those properties will be able to be sold individually. The City will market them and the intention to use
them for affordable housing has already been established. The monies from that sale will be designated for
affordable housing.
Tour of Affordable Housing Projects – Goldman gave a suggested list of four housing projects to tour, two in
Ashland and two in Medford. The newest project is the Maple Terrace apartments which were completed by The
Housing Authority of Jackson County. It was decided the tour would be on Friday April 25, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Meet
at the Community Development Building.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Brandon reminded the commissioners that it is imperative that the next meeting have a quorum because they will be
discussing the CDBG Action Plan approval and the Housing Commission is the final decision maker in that regard.
It doesn’t go back to council.
The Commissioners discussed the idea of having the meetings earlier though a decision was not made yet. Next
month the Housing Commission Regular meeting will be held on April 24, 2008 between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Finance Meeting – April 15, 2008 at 5:00
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by, Carolyn Schwendener
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
5
MINUTES
March 27, 2008