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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD - MINUTES - 02/01/2024AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD REGULAR MEETING 2/1 /2024 – M I N U TE S Page 1 February 1, 2024, 4:00-6:00pm Colorado River Room, 222 Laporte Ave CALL TO ORDER At 4:05 PM the meeting was called to order by John Singleton. 1. ROLL CALL • Board Members Present: John Singleton, Bob Pawlikowski, Jennifer Bray (exited in progress), Stefanie Berganini (joined in progress) • Board Members Excused: Ed Hermsen, Kristin Fritz • Staff Members Present: • Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Staff Liaison – City of Fort Collins • Meaghan Overton, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins • Beth Rosen, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins • Tamra Leavenworth, Minutes – City of Fort Collins • Guests Present: • Lisa Cunningham • Marilyn Heller • Myles Crane • Olivia Beurskens 2. AGENDA REVIEW The Request for Removal of Restrictive Covenant from Habitat for Humanity Home brought forth by Beth Rosen will be moved up in the agenda to accommodate quorum concerns later in the meeting since this item must be voted on by the Board. 3. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Marilyn Heller shared that the League of Women’s Voters applied for a $500 grant for safe parking in Loveland. She also shared that the League of Women’s Voters Affordable Housing Team will have a panel discussion on April 8th at 7pm that is tentatively called, ‘Why is Housing So Expensive?’ and will discuss issues that were addressed in the Land Use Code, such as density. Olivia Beurskens is a student at Front Range Community College and is attending the meeting as part of a social action project. Lisa Cunningham shared that The Group Real Estate is closing and selling their Horsetooth office. She spoke with the president of The Group who said they would be interested in doing a partial donation of the property to be converted into housing and she wanted to share this news with City staff and the Affordable Housing Board. AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD REGULAR MEETING 2/1 /2024 – M I N U TE S Page 2 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January Board Minutes will be voted on at the March 7 Affordable Housing Board meeting due to a lack of quorum. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Myles Crane, Senior Advisory Board Myles Crane introduced himself as a member of the Senior Advisory Board. He shared that The Senior Advisory Board will be hosting an event on Wednesday, February 14 at the Senior Center where Sue Beck-Ferkiss from Social Sustainability and JC Ward from Neighborhood Services will be presenting. Representatives from the 55+ Mobile Park organization will also be attending the event. B. Request for Removal of Restrictive Covenant from Habitat for Humanity Home – Beth Rosen, Social Sustainability • Beth Rosen explained that Habitat for Humanity is asking for a release from a contract and the accompanying release of restrictive covenants. In 2022, Habitat for Humanity was approved for a request of $80,000 to build a home. Part of the contract included a promissory note and an agreement of restrictive covenants that requires the home stay in the affordable housing inventory for 20 years. Habitat for Humanity is nearing completion of the home, and although the chosen homeowner has completed all the sweat equity over the last 2 years, their income has increased, and they no longer meet the eligibility requirements. Since there is an agreement of restrictive covenants, Beth must take the request to City Council. Beth explained that she is asking for a recommendation from the Board to support Habitat for Humanity’s request to be released from their contract with the City. If supported, the $80,000 will go back into this year’s spring competitive process for allocation to a new affordable housing project. DISCUSSION: • Would the City lose this house from permanent affordability? Yes. Habitat for Humanity could choose to restrict it at a higher income level [if the City cancels the contract and releases the covenant]. They also have the first right of refusal upon resell from the chosen buyer, so they could buy it back and return to the City in a future competitive process cycle asking for subsidy to restrict it and keep it in the affordable housing inventory. • Was the land the home was built on from the Land Bank? No, there is not any investment from the City. If this contract is cancelled, the City would simply not make any payments to Habitat for Humanity for this particular home. • Has this happened with any other homes in this neighborhood? • No. There are other Habitat for Humanity builds where this has happened, but no others in this neighborhood. AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD REGULAR MEETING 2/1 /2024 – M I N U TE S Page 3 Bob Pawlikowski motioned that the Board support Habitat for Humanity’s request for cancellation of the contract and a release of the restrictive covenants. Stefanie Berganini seconded. Jennifer Bray abstained. Approved 3-0. C. Housing Strategic Plan Updates – Meaghan Overton, Social Sustainability • City Council is in the process of defining their priorities for the next term. One of the council priorities focuses on operationalizing City resources to build and preserve affordable housing. Other priorities being considered that relate to housing are one regarding economic development and small business support that has a connection to non-profit housing developers, and some climate action priorities around electrification and transportation, which prioritize neighborhood centers. • A first reading of foundational changes to the Land Use Code is scheduled for April 2. • City staff are hoping to have 2 work sessions on occupancy prior to Council acting on this item on June 4. • A Housing Summit will be held sometime in 2024, but exact timing has not yet been determined. • The City has hired a Housing and Equity Data Analyst who will start on February 20. D. Board Priority Committee Reports • Outreach, Education and Partnerships • John Singleton shared that he has an ongoing list of entities that he would like the Board to try and engage with this year. He is also working on building out a one-page document that lists the Board’s 2024 mission and goals and can be used as a reference for guests attending meetings and/or events hosted by the Board. • Knowledge Repository • Bob Pawlikowski shared that he and Jennifer Bray are working on getting an updated count of how many subsidized affordable housing units are currently in Fort Collins. • Council and Local Legislative Support • Stefanie Berganini shared the idea of creating policy briefs or something similar. The document could be sent to City Council directly or used by the Board to guide discussion and gather feedback. • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Affordable Housing • No updates. 6. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS a. Meeting Logistics • The Board will continue to have hybrid meetings for the remainder of 2024. AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD REGULAR MEETING 2/1 /2024 – M I N U TE S Page 4 b. Liaison Reports • None. 7. OTHER BUSINESS None. 8. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 5:56 PM.