Committee on Housing and Community Development
155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, Connecticut 06810

Minutes of March 6, 2008

Present: Elpern, Barrows, Zaborowski

Absent: Scalzo, Lemme

The meeting of the Committee on Housing and Community Development of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in Danbury City Hall, Planning and Zoning Department conference room, 1^st floor, on March 6, 2008. Staff support, Sue Zaborowski called the meeting to order at 2:10pm., in the absence of Chairman Paul Scalzo.

A motion to accept the minutes of February 7, 2008 was made by D. Elpern, seconded by C. Barrows, passed unanimously and placed on file.

The committee members discussed the updating of the 10 Year Plan annual report that the Housing Partnership needed to provide for the next Common Council meeting scheduled in April. Each committee needs to finalize and provide an update report on the first two years of the Plan.

The Housing and Community Development committee reviewed all parts of the 10 Year Plan and concluded the following:

YEAR ONE:

- Permanent Housing: “The workgroup is recommending that the commitment by made to develop 15 units of permanent and supportive housing.”

COMPLETED: Total number of units in community committed for Year One was 63.

- Permanent Housing: “Establish a formal relationship with a not-for-profit that is able to provide developers, property owners and landlords with relevant information and the necessary technical assistance to create permanent housing opportunities for at risk individuals and families.”

COMPLETED: Have a working relationship with Housing Development Fund and

Dream Homes.

- Permanent Housing: “Establish working relationship with the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury for current and prospective availability of housing units.”

COMPLETED: The Housing Authority Executive Director was appointed as Vice-Chairperson of the Housing Partnership. The Housing Authority will be selling approximately 9 scattered housing sites(22 units) to restore financial stability. The Housing Authority has reviewed with the Partnership the disposition plan that includes requirements that the units be deed restricted as affordable housing. The Partnership voted to send a letter of support for the plan and is working with community partners to form partnerships to purchase properties to achieve objectives in the Ten Year Plan.

- Permanent Housing: “Increase the availability of public housing units by increasing the number of public housing residents who transition to homeownership.”

COMPLETED: The 10 Year Plan refers to the development of the 60 unit former High Ridge Gardens development. Property has been transferred to a private entity and redeveloped into the Renaissance, with deed restrictions and thereby creating homeownership opportunities for lower-income families. The Housing Authority is working with the developer, Dream Homes and WeCahr to encourage and prepare residents for homeownership.

- Permanent Housing: “Consider requiring the setting aside of a portion of housing units in a development for long-term retention as affordable housing through deed restrictions or, in lieu thereof, making of payments into a municipal housing trust fund to be used for constructing, rehabilitating or repairing housing affordable to persons and families of low and moderate income.”

IN PROGRESS: A regional Symposium on Inclusionary Zoning was co-sponsored by the United Way and the Housing Development Fund in Year One.

- Permanent Housing: “Recommend common Council consider reducing sewer and water connection fees to those in effect prior to July 1, 2005 for residential units meeting state definitions of affordable.”

IN PROGRESS: Recommendation was reviewed by Common Council ad-hoc with input from counsel and City Departments. No proposal for adoption by Common Council as of today’s date.

- Permanent Housing: “Secure funds through the Governor’s Next Step Initiative or new statewide Housing Trust Fund t o subsidize development, operation and case management expenses of additional permanent housing.”

COMPLETED: Community partner, CT Outreach West, secured funding for 10 units of scattered site supportive housing under the Next Steps Supportive Housing Initiative.

- Permanent Housing: “Engage shelter and transitional housing providers in planning for logical expansion of existing facilities.”

IN PROGRESS: The City of Danbury Health, Housing and Welfare Department are investigating the possibilities of expanding the existing facilities that will fit in the requirements and permiting/approval of all city departments.

YEAR TWO:

- Permanent Housing: “Work with local banks and other area lending institutions regarding foreclosure properties available for possible permanent housing opportunities.”

IN PROGRESS: Need to secure an updated list of possible foreclosures in the Danbury area and develop a list of non-profit developers, redevelopers, etc., who may be willing to secure said properties for turn around to affordable housing opportunities.

- Permanent Housing: “Develop 20 units of permanent/permanent supportive housing.”

COMPLETED: Total units committed for development in Year Two is 43.

- Permanent Housing: “Recommend that HVECO hire a consulting firm to determine the fair share of affordable housing for each member municipality based on regional need for the next ten years. Include recommended methods available to require and/or offer incentives for the construction or conversion of dwellings that meet state definitions of affordability.”

IN PROGRESS: The City of Danbury’s Mayor’s Office is in communication with HVECO.

- Permanent Housing: “Recommend Common Council consider providing property tax credits to owners of residential property who place long-term binding affordable housing restrictions on such residential property.”

IN PROGRESS: The Health, Housing and Welfare Department Health Director and the City’s Tax Assessor have researched providing tax credits to owners. Local programs and State Statutes are being researched as possible additional benefits.

- Permanent Housing: “Develop Tax Abatement programs for landlords who deed restrict affordable units.”

IN PROGRESS: Both the Health, Housing and Welfare Department along with the Tax Assessor’s office is in contact in developing further information/programs.

- Permanent Housing: “Create educational programs for land use officials regarding the removal of barriers to affordable housing.”

IN PROGRESS: Need to further investigate this topic.

- Permanent Housing: “Develop loan program for small multi-family properties to upgrade and refurbish.”

IN PROGRESS: Need to continue further information on the Blind Brook program and the assistance of any CDBG funding on a case by case basis.

- Increasing Availability and Access to Social Services and Supports: “Establish emergency shelter beds for intact families.”

IN PROGRESS: Need to investigate this request in more detail as to not increase beds, but reduce the need of homelessness. Will check to see what both state and other municipalities are doing on shelter beds.

- Homeless Prevention, Discharge Planning and Transitional Housing: “Establish Temporary Monthly Rental Subsidies Fund with funds garnered in year one and fund 20 individuals in and 10 families in permanent housing in years 2-5.”

IN PROGRESS: Needs clarification or revision.

- Homeless Prevention, Discharge Planning and Transitional Housing: “Complete organizational work and applications for funding for veteran’s housing opportunities for veterans.”

COMPLETED: The Housing Partnership has formed collaborative efforts with community entities to design and implement a comprehensive program to provide housing opportunities for veterans.

- Homeless Prevention, Discharge Planning and Transitional Housing: “Investigate funding availability and apply for funds to develop short-term respite beds for those that are homeless or will become homeless upon discharge from a medical hospital but need to become medically stable.”

COMPLETED: The Health, Housing and Welfare Department identified and secured funds for short-term respite beds in cooperation with the Danbury Hospital.

- Homeless Prevention, Discharge Planning and Transitional Housing: “Develop 7 units of transitional housing for young adults.”

IN PROGRESS: Need to follow-up with organizations such as MCCA, Community Care, Danbury Hospital, United Way, etc.

- Homeless Prevention, Discharge Planning and Transitional Housing: “Create Transitional Housing opportunities for 3 additional families.”

IN PROGRESS: Need to follow up on status of any development, rehabbing or existing housing, etc., to provide transitional housing.

- Homeless Prevention, Discharge Planning and Transitional Housing: “Develop 10 units of transitional housing for individuals in years 2-6.”

IN PROGRESS: Need to follow-up/status of MCCA providing 16 beds, and CCOM providing 8 beds.

YEAR THREE

- Homeless Prevention, Discharge Planning and Transitional Housing: “Develop transitional housing for veterans with identified funding streams using models best practices that have been developed.”

IN PROGRESS: The Health, Housing and Welfare Department has submitted per diem transitional housing grant application to VA in year one that was NOT FUNDED. The Housing Partnership and community partners are preparing a more extensive, comprehensive plan and application to be ready for the next notice of funding availability.

YEAR 3 -10

- Permanent Housing: “Over the next ten years, a total of 275 units will be developed. The objective is to create housing opportunities for a least 40 people through the development of 275 units. At least 150 of the units would serve households of 2 or more persons and 125 would serve individuals, targeting chronically homeless and young adults 18-24. To ensure a mixed tenancy of at least 60%(165) will be targeted to families and individuals facing long term homelessness. The remaining 40% will target other households that need affordable housing.”

PROGRESS TO DATE: Through Year 2 a total of 106 units have been committed for development, representing 38.5% of the Ten-Year goal. The goal for the first two years of 35 units has been exceeded by 71 units. The total number of units committed to date exceeds plan goals for Years 1-4. The following results are the break down of committed units:

Total Units Committed: 106(21 completed/occupied)

60 Units – Renaissance(15 sold/occupied)

3 Units – Stetson Place(3 sold/occupied)

2 Units – CDBG/LAMPP(2 completed/occupied)

3 Units – Continuum of Care(1 utilized to date)

28 Units – CT Outreach West(2009 completion)

10 Units – CT Outreach West(Next Steps Initiative 2008)

The Committee needs to focus on those items that need more data, information and follow-up work to meet the goals definitely for year one and now into year two. The committee will meet next month to finalize and concentrate on those areas that have been designated in the 10 Year Plan.

There was no further business to discuss. A motion to adjourn was made by S. Zaborowski, seconded by D. Elpern, passed unanimously.