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AHAC Minutes 05/07/2012May 7, 2012 MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING May 7, 2012 Naples, Florida y/► i i •e ni'�i'.aiiwv�aaans.wuy LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 3:00 PM in I'. olprztTSION in Administrative Building "F," 3rd Floor, of the Government IJ02 WOn !C�•jA Complex, Naples, Florida, with the following Members present: +.ula �✓ � CHAIRMAN: Stephen Hrub Y Henning�Ry Vice Chair: ----- - - - - -- �0yIe ✓ John Cowan c;letta Christian Davis Patricia Fortune Bradley Schiffer Resigned: Cormac Giblin Michael Diamond Excused: Clyde C. Quinby Absent: Christine Jones Stuart Warshauer (Vacancy) (Vacancy) (Vacancy — Alternate) ALSO PRESENT: Kim Grant, Interim Director Housing, Human & Veteran Svcs. Frank ( "Buddy ") Ramsey, Operations Analyst Misc. Corres: Priscilla Doria, SHIP Loan Processor — Staff Liaison Date: Margo Castorena, Grants Operations Manager Item #: �\.A Z '2, �A 1 1 Copies to: May 7, 2012 1. CALL TO ORDER — CHAIRMAN: Chairman Hruby called the meeting to order at 3:05 PM and read the procedures to be observed during the meeting. 2. ROLL CALL: Roll Call was taken and a quorum was established. Five voting members were present. STATEMENT BY CORMAC GIBLIN: • Has served on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for several years as the representative for the City of Naples • Has accepted a position with Habitat for Humanity of Collier County • Tendered his resignation to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to avoid potential conflict of interest Chairman Hruby thanked Mr. Giblin for his years of great service to Collier County and congratulated him on his new position with Habitat for Humanity. 3. AGENDA AND MINUTES — CHAIRMAN: a. Approval of Agenda John Cowan moved to approve the Agenda as submitted. Second by Patricia Fortune. Carried unanimously, 5 — 0. b. Approval of AHAC Minutes —February 13 and 23, 2012 Staff noted some Committee Members had not received copies of the previous Minutes and requested to postpone voting until the June meeting. Consensus: The vote was tabled. 4. INFORMATION ITEMS: A. Neighborhood Stabilization Program — Update on Recently Approved Partnerships Frank Ramsey: • The Board of County Commissioners approved a new strategy to administer the NSP -1 and NSP -3 Grants. • 13 homes have been completed or are near completion. The rehabbed homes will be sold to eligible buyers. • February 22, 2012: The County issued an RFP ( "Request for Production ") to non - profit property management organizations • Goal: To receive proposals from non - profit organizations that would take ownership of six properties which were acquired and rehabbed through the NSP and operate the properties as affordable rental housing • Three proposals were received • A Selection Committee was created • Two candidates were selected to receive awards of the properties • The recommendation will be forwarded to the BCC for review and approval May 7, 2012 • A partnership with Habitat for Humanity was approved under two different Developer Agreements: o NSP -1 Developer Agreement: • The County will transfer title (via deeds) for 42 properties to Habitat for Humanity. • Habitat will use its own funds to rehab /renovate the properties and sell the homes to eligible buyers. o NSP -3 Developer Agreement: • Collier County received an award of approximately $3.8M which has not been spent. • Habitat will be provided access to the funds to assist in the acquisition of eligible properties. • Habitat will use its own funds to complete the renovations to the properties and will sell the homes to eligible buyers. • Habitat agreed to a tiered level of assistance for eligible income categories: ❖ Households earning 50% or less of the Area Median Income ( "AMI ") — 25% of the award has been allocated to this category ❖ Households earning between 51 — 80% of AMI ❖ Households earning more than 81 - 120% of AMI Periodic updates will be provided to the Committee. Chairman Hruby asked if the two selected applicants could be identified. Kim Grant stated negotiations were in process with the applicants and requested to not disclose any information until the negotiations have been finalized. She stated proposals were received from The Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled of Collier County, and Florida Non - Profit Corporation in Immokalee. Buddy Ramsey noted the third proposal was received from an organization that was new to the County — it operates supportive housing throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Ramsey noted RFPs were submitted for six multi - family properties consisting of five duplexes and one triplex. • The sale of the 13 single - family properties currently owned by the County will result in program income in the future which will be targeted for other NSP - eligible uses. After the properties have been sold and a final accounting has been completed, the Committee will be consulted to determine how to utilize the program income. The current estimated balance in the NSP -1 account is approximately $400,000 to $450,000 and will remain with the County for future use. Chairman Hruby noted there was a commitment in NSP -1 to provide a certain portion of the funds for multi - family properties. He asked if the six properties met the requirements. Buddy Ramsey replied there was a set -aside for low income households of 25 %. Kim Grant noted the Housing, Human & Veteran Services Department will monitor the progress made by Habitat for Humanity, utilizing the 10% allocated for administrative costs. May 7, 2012 Value of the NSP -1 properties: • 42 properties to be deeded to Habitat for Humanity — $2.7M • 13 homes currently owned by the County (and sold) — $13M • 6 rental units (RFP) — $800,00 • The 20 properties that were sold — $2.3M • Program Income received — $1.4M • $400,000 - $450,000 — in the fund B. City of Marco Island — Termination of Interlocal Agreement Frank Ramsey stated: • The Interlocal Agreement between the County and the City of Marco Island was initiated in 2000 with automatic renewals every 3 years. • Either party could terminate the Agreement by notifying the other by April 1st of the termination year. • In February, 2012, the City of Marco Island elected to terminate the Agreement that pertained to affordable housing. • Impacts: • The County will no longer receive compensation from the City of Marco Island ($50,000 per year or 10% of the building permit fees collected — whichever amount was greater) • The City of Marco Island will administer its affordable housing program without assistance from the County Mr. Ramsey explained the County shared Staff and program availability with the City of Marco Island for which the City compensated the County. • There is a separate Interlocal Agreement which relates to the entitlement status of the County which has not been affected. • There is a balance of approximately $210,000 in the County's account which has not been "grandfathered" or tied to any program and may be utilized for affordable housing purposes o More flexibility re: use, i.e., transportation vouchers for non - Island workers C. Florida Sunshine Law Mr. Ramsey noted the County Attorney's Office prepared a C/D concerning a Sunshine Law Workshop held on October 3, 2011. He had copies of the C/D and would provide one to each Committee Member to view. Chairman Hruby stated the Members are required to become aware of the restrictions of the Sunshine Law. Mr. Ramsey stated a copy of the CD will be included in the "welcome" package for new Committee members. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT: (Speakers will be heard after the topic has been discussed.) May 7, 2012 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS/PRESENTATIONS: STAFF A. Presentation: Debra Mahr, Executive Director, Hunger and Homeless Coalition (A copy of the PowerPoint presentation was distributed to the Committee Members.) • 10 -year Plan to prevent and end homelessness in Collier County by 2020. • Co- authored with Dr. Tina Gelpi, Assistant Professor — FGCU, and Rene Givens of Nonprofit Solutions Consulting • Hunger & Homeless Coalition was established in 1989 and incorporated in 2002 as a non - profit organization that works collaboratively to build a comprehensive system of care • Funding Source: The Community Foundation • Homelessness and housing insecurity are complex issues — caused by economic reasons — the working poor • The best solution to the problem is affordable housing • Goal: To research and offer solutions that foster greater housing security and independence for all members of the community • Conducted focus groups and community meetings for approximately one year • Researched "best practices" • Three groups: either homeless or at risk to become homeless • Families with children — largest growing segment of the population • Unaccompanied youth — fled abusive home situations or were "kicked out" — ages 16 to 24 — "couch surfing" — "aged out" of foster care • Individuals /single adults — including Veterans, Elderly/Disabled, chronic homeless • Florida is ranked #42 of 50 states in child homelessness o 993 children in Collier County were identified as "homeless" by the public school system in 2011 • Federal definition: "At imminent risk of homelessness and precariously housed" • Cost: $2,871,978 per year (based on 2011 figures) • Limiting the time a person is homeless actually saves money • Hidden Costs to the Community: • Jail • Hospital • Mental Health/Substance Abuse • Public Safety • "Housing First" approach and evidence -based model — most cost effective • Provide housing as quickly as possible • Provide support services as needed • Solutions: provide a dignified quality of life • Rent assistance — provided for a limited amount of time (short-term crisis) • Rapid rehousing — provided limited assistance to help get back on feet • Permanent housing with support services (emergency shelters or transitional housing) • Action Plan: • Affordable housing: Increase supply of permanent housing units • Supportive services for housing stability: Increase /enhance services — "wrap around" — case management — link to services — transportation is included May 7, 2012 • Centralized intake for accessing services: Create a county -wide central point of intake for housing services • Resources for Unaccompanied Youth: Develop a "drop -in" center and increase supply of overnight beds — establish a Youth Shelter — researching grant opportunities Ms. Mahr noted there is a lack of rental properties and local rents are increasing due to the demand. Inventory must be identified. New York and Boston have the most successful "Housing First" programs because of the varied types of rental units available. Patricia Fortune mentioned a project in Homestead that was built by GL Homes. She will contact the builder for additional information 4. INFORMATION ITEMS: D. Status Report: Annual Entitlement Funding Application Cycle (2012 -13) Margo Castorena — Grants Operations Manager provided an update on Entitlement Grant Applications: • 21 applications were submitted — total of $6.05M o $5.5M — CDBG o $500,000 —HOME o $96,000 — ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant)Emergency Solutions Grant) • Breakdown: 0 5 applications for Public Service grants 0 2 applications for HOME activities o One "pass through" to the City of Naples o City of Marco Island has declined to use its entitlement ($80,000) 0 3 applications for acquisition 0 2 applications for economic development 0 8 applications for infrastructure Ms. Castorena noted the activities outlined in the applications were determined to the eligible for funding. The Committee consisted of 5 members, including HHVS Staff, as well as Staff from the County's Public Services Division, the Administrative Services Division, and from the community at large. • Some applications will begin a curing process to answer questions from the Committee members. • The applications will be re- scored upon receipt of the cures and ranked. • The Applications Committee will decide how much funding will be allocated to each application depending on how the application was ranked. • Funding will be provided by CDBG, HOME, or ESG. Margo Castorena explained: • "SHIFTING" assists individuals involved in the foreclosure process through May 7, 2012 legal consultations, providing counseling, working with the Lender to explore options — if the family can remain in the home through mortgage modification — or helping with the transition to a new location. • The Affordable Rental Housing Program — assists developmentally - impaired individuals to move into private or group homes. The application requested approximately $250,000 to purchase two properties which could house between 6 to 8 individuals. • The City of Naples is an entitlement city and as long as an allowable activity under HUD is presented, the City can decide how to disburse the funds. • The Roberts Center is a community facility in Immokalee which has been the site of the HHVS "Meals" program. The facility is under renovation and a request was submitted for additional funding. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS /PRESENTATIONS: STAFF B. Proposed Concept: To Measure Demand /Availability of Affordable Housing Frank Ramsey: • Housing Element of the Land Development Code: • "Goal One: To create an adequate supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for all residents of Collier County." ■ Method: To increase the number of affordable workforce housing by at least 15% of the units approved to be built in the County per year, but not less than 1,000 units averaged over a five -year period. • Goal is static — not market sensitive • Lacks demand component • Not data- driven Minnesota Housing Plan (needs assessment plan) — published in the Spring, 2012 • 100% data driven, based on 24 indicators • Most of the data is available on third -party websites • Measures: "Opportunities for Economic Integration" / "Opportunities for Community Stabilization" / "Opportunities for a Growing Workforce " / "Opportunities for Increasing Homeownership" / "Opportunities for Affordable Rental Housing" / "Opportunities for Maintaining an Aging Housing Stock" • Model does not predict future need — it assesses the current need in the market ■ Can watch the trends Goals (Housing Element): • To develop a method to measure the demand for and the availability of affordable workforce housing by January 2014 • To develop a method to predict future needs • By January 2015, establish the necessary strategies, methods and tools to support the objective • Prepare a report for the Board of County Commissioners beginning in 2014 May 7, 2012 Mr. Ramsey requested the Subcommittee work with Staff to prepare the tools, measurements, and models. A Subcommittee meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, May l Otn Chairman Hruby suggested the "prediction" component should be replaced by emphasizing the gross indicators. Christian Davis suggested reviewing communities that have not experienced the rapid highs of lows of the Collier County market, i.e., Pittsburgh. Frank Ramsey will research the communities that were not "on the bubble." C. Housing Workshop with BCC: Nomination of AHAC Member to Attend • Scheduled for June 5t" at 9:00 AM Bradley Schiffer nominated Chairman Hruby to represent the Committee. Chairman Hruby accepted the nomination. Committee members were invited to attend. D. Committee Vacancy: Review of Application • Raymond Cabral is a realtor, a member of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, and a retired police officer (NYPD). • He meets the definition of "represents essential service personnel" • The categories vacant are: • "Represents Employers" • "Alternate" • "Represents Essential Service Personnel" • Nomination by the City of Naples o "Engaged in the labor of home building" John Cowan moved to approve the application of Raymond Cab embership on the Affordable Housing Advisory Comm' rward the recommendation of support to the Board o y ommissioners for review and approval. Second by Patr' ne. Carried unanimously, 5 — 0. '(X- JEW-- E. Discussion: Summer Meeting Schedule • The Committee has recessed during July and August. • Chairman Hruby stated the Committee has already taken a hiatus in March/April. Consensus: The Committee will discuss the summer schedule at the June meeting. 7. STAFF /COMMITTEE MEMBERS: GENERAL COMMENTS (None) NEXT MEETING: Monday, June 4, 2012 at 3:00 PM (Note: June 4th is the first Monday) May 7, 2012 There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM by order of the Chairman. The foregoing Minutes were approved by Board /Committee Chair on JU 52012, "as submitted"[_] OR "as amended" [ , .