HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing Board - Minutes - 11/04/2021AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
1 1/4 /2021 – MINUTES Page 1
November 4, 2021, 4:00-6:00pm
Remote/Online via Zoom due to COVID-19
CALL TO ORDER
At 4:00 the meeting was called to order by Kristin Fritz.
1. ROLL CALL
a. Board Members Present: Diane Cohn, Kristin Fritz, Tatiana Zentner, Daphne Bear, John Singleton
Jennifer Bray and Bob Pawlikowski joined in progress.
b. Staff Members Present:
▪ Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Staff Liaison – City of Fort Collins
▪ Meaghan Overton – City of Fort Collins
▪ Taylor Reynolds, Minutes – City of Fort Collins
▪ Libby Sparks – City of Fort Collins Intern
c. Guests Present:
▪ Councilmember Susan Gutowsky
2. AGENDA REVIEW – No changes.
3. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION – N/A
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Tatiana Zentner moved to approve October minutes. Diane Cohn seconded.
Approved 7-0
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5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Councilmember Gutowsky Liaison Visit
After introductions Councilmember requested information about the Affordable Housing Board Work
Plan. Councilmember and board engaged in conversation about current affordable housing obstacles.
Topics included zoning, water rates, occupancy restrictions (U+2) and construction costs.
Councilmember Gutowsky was invited to attend board meetings once a year (or more), with additional
invitations to specific meetings based on the agenda. Upcoming board vacancy discussed as Diane Cohn’s
term will be completed in December 2021. Board composition does not currently include a consumer of
affordable housing and board members suggested that including a consumer would provide valuable
perspective.
DISCUSSION SUMMARY:
• Should tiny and modular homes be explored as options for affordable housing?
o Board members had concerns over the use of tiny and modular homes as a solution to affordable
housing needs as it decreases housing density and increases urban sprawling.
• How do we increase diversity in neighborhoods through multi-family housing, apartments, condos, duplexes,
and accessory dwelling units to increase availability of affordable housing?
o Housing types are restricted by Land Use Code (LUC).
• Are down payment assistance programs (DPA) and subsidized housing both necessary?
o Both serve their purpose and help make quality housing accessible for all residents.
o Board member stated that lenders have only recently allowed conventional loans to be paired with
DPA. Previously, DPA loans were only allowed with FHA or VA loans, which are not being used in the
current market.
• Board members emphasized that the innovative and creative economy of the City and the ability to retain
high school and college graduates depend on availability of affordable housing for all economic classes.
b. Housing Strategic Plan – Meaghan Overton
Meghan provided an update on the Housing Strategic Plan implementation progress:
• Occupancy, Rental Licensing and Small Landlord Incentives program
o Intended to provide healthy, safe units and protect quality of life, while working to
complete key outcomes of the Housing Strategic Plan
o Includes five-year plan for implementation of rental licensing program that includes a pilot
program, inspections, a fee structure, training and input from landlords and tenants
o Plan to have new occupancy restrictions based on functionality of household rather than
familial relatedness, pending review from City Attorney’s Office (CAO)
o Current occupancy restrictions (U+2) will not be removed until there is another way to
evaluate rental standard compliance
o Research provides overview of U+2 violations:
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▪ A 2018 study revealed that 47% of occupancy violations were college students and
13% were children under 18.
▪ Rent has increased 68% since 2011 resulting in more U+2 violations from residents
“doubling up” to make their housing more affordable.
▪ Most recent data estimates that of the 38,000 rental units in Fort Collins, 1,200 are
likely in violation.
▪ Public engagement is scheduled to begin early 2022 including involvement of
landlords, property management, renters, HOA’s, etc.
• Land Use Codes: Phase 1 Process
o Used City Policies to create a set of guiding principles
o City Plan was adopted in 2018
o Priority place types identified for growth in the next 10 to 20 years
o Plan to implement better transit system to achieve transportation efficiency and climate
future goals
o LUC directly tied to Affordable Housing strategies
DISCUSSION:
• What is the purpose of the rental licensing?
o The licensing places the City in a position to proactively regulate and certify that homes meet
minimum standards, but there are standards for habitability currently being enforced.
• Will the pilot program include licensing, new occupancy standards or both?
o It would include both.
• Will new occupancy regulations allow for extra occupancy based on the size of the house or the number of
bedrooms?
o There are many different factors that could be used for the occupancy policy.
• Meaghan shared that the Council Finance Revenue will discuss revenue for housing, parks, and transit on
December 1, 2021.
• Board members were encouraged to review council packets from work sessions as needed via the City Clerk
website.
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c. Affordable Housing Board Work Plan
Jennifer Bray moved to approve 2022 AHB Work Plan. Tatiana Zentner seconded.
Approved 6-0. Diane Cohn abstained.
d. Board Member Ideas – No recommendations.
6. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS – No reports.
7. OTHER BUSINESS – NOT DISCUSSED
a. City Council 6-month planning calendar review N/A
b. Council Comments – Who, what? N/A
c. Review 2021 Work Plan N/A
d. Update on Affordable Housing Projects N/A
e. Future AHB Meetings Agenda N/A
8. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 PM
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