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

Minutes of May 1, 2008

Present: Scalzo, Elpern, Lemme, Barrows, Zaborowski

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, 1st floor, on May 1, 2008. Chairman Scalzo called the meeting to order at 2:20pm. There were no messages from the Chairman.

A motion to accept the minutes of April 3, 2008 was made by G. Lemme, seconded by C. Barrows, passed unanimously and placed on file.

Chairman Scalzo reviewed the Housing Possibility Data information sheet and indicated to the membership that there were a great number of potential speakers that could be lined up for our next monthly meetings. Chairman Scalzo would like to invite Mr. Joseph DaSilva to the June meeting, Mr. Mark Forlenza to the July meeting.

Mr. Scalzo inquired if the August meeting could be canceled due to family and vacation commitments. Staff indicated that the Chair could make, break or change any meeting dates along with the committee’s agreement. Mr. Scalzo will check with Mr. Nolan of the Housing Partnership if there is any proposal to cancel summer time/dates of the Housing Partnership meetings. Our committee will follow any recommendation that the Chairperson of the Housing Partnership indicates for all the subcommittees.

Mr. Lemme provided information on the banking and mortgage crisis nationwide. Investors are limited, housing stock is at an all time high, costs of housing is being reduced, equity loans are being processed, but mortgage applications standards are more rigorous. Mortgage brokers/companies have been dissolved, and conventional mortgages, such as banks, are being more cautious for those individuals or couples trying to obtain a mortgage.

Chairman Scalzo would like to have Mr. DaSilva address this committee meeting in June to further discuss a3-10 year plan with his available properties, to either redevelop, rehab, etc. that will fit the need to produce affordable housing according to the 10-Year Plan.

Other names brought to the table for further discussion regarding possible speakers were:

Jackie Hogan, Gus DaSilva, Mark Nolan, Mike Kallas

Staff requested participation and input in assisting Ms. Zaborowski with the City of Danbury’s Fair Housing Plan. The committee agreed to assist in providing information in the Plan after June’s meeting. Staff also provided information on the Next Steps Initiative application for Round III anticipated funding requests for capital financing, project-based rental assistance, and support service funding for supportive housing development projects.

There was no further business to discuss. A motion to adjourn was made by G. Lemme, seconded by D. Elpern, passed unanimously. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2008.