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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/2004 CRC minutes MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION 2ND Floor Conference Room, Public Safety Building Thursday, March 4, 2004 7:00 p.m. The meeting of the Community Relations Commission (CRC) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held Thursday, March 4, 2004 in the 2nd floor conference room of the Public Safety Building, 112 East Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect, Illinois. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brennan called the meeting to order at 7: 00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present Commissioner Muench Commissioner Schultz Commissioner Tolbert Commissioner Parikh Absent: Also in attendance: David Cole HUD (Chicago Office) Joe Hanafee resident David Schein resident Staff Marisa Warneke Lisa Angell APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the February 5,2004 meeting minutes was moved and seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved as written. NEW BUSINESS (In consideration of the individuals in attendance for the CDBG discussion, New Business preceded the agenda items under Old Business.) . Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) [In January 2004 the Community Relations Commission co-sponsored an open presentation/ discussion on, Next Steps Toward Open and Inclusive Communities. As "affordable housing" was focal to that discussion, Marisa Warneke, Village Planner and CDBG Coordinator was invited to the March 4, Commission meeting to enhance the Commission's awareness, and facilitate discussion regarding the Village's CDBG Five Year Consolidated Plan. The following minutes is a summary of Ms. Warneke's presentation and comments made regarding the CDBG program and "affordable housing" in the Village. Ms. Warneke provided a comprehensive overview of the housing programs in the Village's current CDBG 5 Year Consolidated Plan. Mount Prospect has16.17% Affordable Housing Units 0 Sinqle-Familv Rehabilitation Loan Proqram This program provides a 0% interest loan (maximum amount of $25,000) to eligible applicants. The loan is due upon the sale or change of title of the home. Funds can be used to correct code violations, increase energy efficiency and make handicapped accessibility improvements. 0 Home Weatherization Grant Proqram This program provides a matching grant up to $1,500 for eligible applicants. Funds can be used to replace furnaces, install siding and windows, and make other improvements to improve a home's energy efficiency. 0 Emerqencv Repair Proqram This program provides loans and grants to eligible applicants to fix repairs of an immediate nature. To be defined as an emergency, the housing issue must present an immediate threat to the health and safety of the occupants or to the structural integrity of the home. 0 First-Time Homebuver's Assistance Proqram This program provides a 0% interest loan (maximum amount of $10,000) for eligible applicants. The loan amount is forgiven if the homeowner lives in the home for a period of at least five years. Funds can be used to assist first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing cost assistance. Ms. Warneke informed the Commission that these programs are well publicized in the community through brochures and the Village's network of communication systems. She mentioned that several of the referrals are from the Human Services Division. In addition, Ms. Warneke stated that according to a recent but unofficial report from the Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC) the Village has 16.7% affordable housing units. She stated that an official report on affordable housing percentages will be issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in July 2004. She reported the Village has two (2) subsidized housing developments; Centennial Apartments (198 units), and Huntington Towers (214 units). Both developments provide affordable housing to qualified seniors and/or individuals with disabilities. She stated both sites have waiting lists in excess of one year. Additionally, there are multifamily housing properties in the Village that accept Section 8 vouchers. As the Village does not administer the Section 8 housing program, Mr. David Cole, HUD responded to several of the questions regarding Section 8 and other HUD related issues. Stating that HUD likes to see a balance of both subsidized housing developments and Section 8 housing, Mr. Cole explained that unlike subsidized housing developments, Section 8 provides participants an opportunity to live anywhere in the community; providing the landlord qualifies for, and accepts Section 8 vouchers. He further noted that availability of Section 8 housing is market driven; with increased housing sales there are more property owners accepting Section 8 vouchers. In reference to Ms. Warneke's statement regarding the Village's percentage of affordable housing, Mr. Cole provided additional information on the Illinois Housing Development Act (IDA), and initiatives some communities are pursuing to comply with the Act. [The Act requires communities with less than 10% of affordable housing must submit an Affordable Housing Plan that will bring them into compliance with the 10% affordable housing mandate.] Based on the data from the NWMC Mr. Cole also stated the Village was in compliance with IDA. Mr. Cole asked the Commission what their objectives were and suggested that the Commission work within the Community Development 5 Year Consolidated Plan. He also suggested the Commission meet with a Fanny Mae representative to learn more about their funding to increase affordable housing opportunities in the Village. Following Ms. Warneke's presentation and Mr. Cole's comments, several questions and comments were made by the Commission members and citizens in attendance. In response to Mr. Cole's question regarding the Commission's objective: the Commission's goal is to promote and increase diversity in the Village. Chairman Brennan questioned whether the Village could restrict the use of CDBG housing funds, and fund minority applicants only. Ms. Warneke explained that the Village could not direct CDBG funds to a specific group because HUD's funding criteria was based on the applicant's income. He questioned why it can be done for seniors but not ethnic groups. Ms. Warneke was asked how, and if CDBG funding priorities can be changed. Ms. Warneke responded that by working together within the CDBG guidelines, funding priorities could be shifted. She encouraged the Commission to identify and discuss goals that could be incorporated in the Village's next CDBG 5 Year Consolidated Plan that will be submitted in November 2004. Mr. Schein suggested the CommissionNiliage may need to think outside of the box on ways to promote and increase affordable housing and diversity. Mr. Cole responded that several communities are considering, or already have developed land trusts to keep property affordable. (The municipality purchases land, leases it with deed restrictions to a commercial business.) Mr. Cole mentioned several other options communities mayor have considered in support of affordable housing; tear-down taxes, for each new housing development a percentage of affordable housing is required. Mr. Hanafee suggested the Village market in minority areas to increase diversity. A general comment, it was suggested that the Commission should not limit its focus on minorities in need of affordable housing, but also encourage professional minorities to move to Mount Prospect. In closing this discussion, Chairman Brennan asked if one of the Commissioners would work with Mr. Hanafee on the issue of affordable housing. At the request of Chairman Brennan, Commissioner Rosario agreed to work with Mr. Hanafee. The staff liaison asked Mr. Hanafee if his group/committee had a name and he replied that it did not. OLD BUSINESS . Suburban Mosaic Book of the Year Chairman Brennan distributed a draft copy of the flyer he designed to publicize the program. He also reported on the February 18, 2004 Steering Committee Meeting. The group continues to move in a very positive direction and growth. The Steering Committee will meet again on March 5th at the Daily Herald. REPORTS (Commission/staff) . Family Issues Committee No report. OTHER . Mr. Schein thanked and complimented the Commission on their response, and Prayer Guidelines for Public Officials. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting was scheduled for Thursday, April 1, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. The April 1, meeting will be held in the second floor conference room of Village Hall, 100 South Emerson. There being no further business a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, M. Lisa Angell Staff Liaison 1700 West Central Road 847.870.5640 X: \U S ERS\LAN GE LL \comm un ityrelationscomm ission2004 \marchmeeti ngm i n utes. doc