CITY OF DANBURY
Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee
Danbury
Housing Partnership
155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, Connecticut 06810
Minutes of the December 5, 2007 Meeting
Attendance: McLachlan, Schierloh
Absent: Sistrunk
A meeting of the Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in Danbury City Hall on December 5, 2007. The meeting was called to order by Chair Michael McLachlan at 2:00 pm.
A motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was made by Paul Schierloh, seconded by Mr. McLachlan and passed unanimously.
Mr. McLachlan initiated discussion of Project Homeless Connect, which was still ongoing at the time of the committee meeting. Preliminary results indicate that the event was being successful in linking people directly with needed services. The opening ceremony was well attended and appears to have achieved its goal of creating awareness about the issue and generating support for Project Homeless Connect. The committee will consider suggesting City or CDBG funding for next year’s event.
Noting that Wade Anderson was still working on developing the Partnership webpage, it was agreed that staff will work directly with him to include information and links to available housing resources and service programs previously reviewed by the committee.
The committee discussed the need to expedite the feasibility and marketing study for veterans and senior housing. Mr. McLachlan indicated that it was important to have the study promptly done so as not to delay development of the soon to be former site of the police station. The study will also be helpful in recruiting potential developers of housing for veterans.
Mr. McLachlan initiated discussion on exploring funding and forging partnerships to develop sound neighborhood based projects. The committee discussed the presentation made at the November Partnership meeting by John Sullivan and Preston Maynard of the Veterans Administration regarding housing and services for veterans. It was agreed that initial priority would be given to veterans housing and an appropriate follow up strategy considered. Mr. McLachlan suggested that the next meeting, or a special meeting if practicable, be devoted to holding a focus group with potential developers of housing for veterans. The invitees will include Mark Nolan, Carolyn Sistrunk, Paul Valeri (NPDCD), Bill and Jacqueline Hogan (JAM Associates), Bob Botelho (Victorian Associates), Paul Scalzo, Pat Waldron and Mike Finn. John Sullivan will be asked to attend and bring with him whoever he thinks is appropriate from the VA. Mr. Schierloh noted that Paul Scalzo invited Joe DaSilva to the next Housing and Community Development Committee meeting and that he would check with Paul if Mr. DaSilva would also be interested in attending. The thrust of the meeting will be to encourage interest and forge partnerships to develop transitional housing, permanent rental housing and homeownership opportunities for veterans. Opportunities to pursue development of supportive, affordable or senior housing could also be broached during the discussion.
Mr. McLachlan will draft a letter from Mayor Boughton to the director of VA Connecticut Healthcare Systems expressing the City’s interest in developing housing and related services for veterans in Danbury and requesting assistance from VA staff in developing strategies to accomplish this goal.
A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Schierloh, seconded by Mr. McLachlan and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 2:28 pm.