CITY OF DANBURY
Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee
Danbury
Housing Partnership
155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, Connecticut 06810
Minutes of the September 5, 2007 Meeting
Attendance: Sistrunk, Schierloh, McLachlan
A meeting of the Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in Danbury City Hall on September 5, 2007. The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair Carolyn Sistrunk at 10:15 am. Mr. McLachlan was delayed by another commitment.
Under messages from the chair, Ms. Sistrunk reported on a recent meeting held in Danbury with Gary King of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) to review funding opportunities on the State level for affordable senior and veterans housing. Mr. King advised community representatives of housing programs available through his agency as well as the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). While most programs are competitive and application periods time-limited, DECD has two different funding programs that would allow projects to be considered whenever an application is presented. Having land available provides a great advantage in receiving State funding. Mayor Boughton expressed interest in proceeding on a priority basis with senior and veterans housing. He indicated that the first step with respect to senior housing should be to conduct a study to determine the housing needs of the senior community. The Housing Authority will serve as the lead agency with respect to senior and veterans housing projects. Information on possible HUD funding was also discussed.
Ms. Sistrunk reported that the authority had received a grant award in the amount of 500K for replacement housing, which could also lead to additional funding in the future. Ms. Sistrunk also noted that the State legislature had established capital reserve funding for housing authorities, although the ten million funded was considerably less than originally hoped for. A federal initiative to establish a Housing Preservation Trust Fund program also merits watching.
The committee proceeded to consideration of the election of officers. Ms. Sistrunk nominated Michael McLachlan as chair, Carolyn Sistrunk as vice-chair and Paul Schierloh as secretary. Nominations were seconded by Mr. Schierloh and passed unanimously.
Ms. Sistrunk proposed that the committee hold regular meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 2:00 pm in City Hall, subject to concurrence by Mr. McLachlan.
Mr. McLachlan arrived at 10:40 am and assumed the chair. The proposed meeting schedule was confirmed.
The committee reviewed the ordinance language establishing the committee and discussed the proposed mission and function. Mr. Schierloh indicated that the committee was envisioned to take the lead in financial and fundraising matters associated with the Ten-Year Plan, to ensure a balance between funding efforts between social services and housing initiatives, to coordinate efforts with the other standing committees, to advise the Mayor and Council as to whether or not proposals are consistent with the Ten-Year Plan and to prevent duplication and unnecessary competition in efforts to achieve the plan’s objectives. Ms. Sistrunk expressed concern over the feasibility of obtaining funding to fully implement the Ten-Year Plan and suggested that a full cost analysis be done. Mr. Schierloh noted that the resolution adopting the plan stated that the City would take measures to implement the plan “subject to the availability of resources in any given budget year.” Mr. McLachlan initiated discussion over the ordinance language and what degree of pro-active involvement was called for in the committee carrying out its advisory role with respect to reviewing service and development proposals from organizations. Mr. McLachlan will seek guidance on this issue and report back to the committee.
The latest draft of the Mayor’s Taskforce Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness Progress Report was distributed and reviewed. The Committee briefly reviewed the recommendations for which they have been designated the lead committee. Members were asked to review the report prior to the next meeting to determine if there were other recommendations in the report that should be assigned to the Committee in whole or in part, or if tasks currently assigned to the committee should be assigned elsewhere.
Mr. McLachlan asked members to research available housing funding sources so that the committee could discuss the compilation of an inventory at the next meeting. Mr. McLachlan will also seek guidance on the appropriate level of involvement on the part of the committee in the review of proposals from local agencies as set forth in the ordinance.
A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Sistrunk, seconded by Mr. Schierloh and passed unanimously.