CITY OF DANBURY
Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee
Danbury Housing Partnership
155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, Connecticut 06810
Minutes of the March 3, 2009 Meeting
Present: Nolan, Schierloh
Absent: McLachlan, Sistrunk
Also Present: Scalzo, Sangut
A meeting of the Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee of the Danbury Housing Partnership was conducted in Danbury City Hall on March 3, 2009. The meeting was called to order by Secretary Paul Schierloh at 3:00 pm.
A motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was made by Mark Nolan, seconded by Mr. Schierloh and passed unanimously.
The committee asked that Mr. Schierloh work with Carolyn Sistrunk to prepare the annual progress report to the Common Council for their April 7 meeting.
Mr. Schierloh reported that the Partnership website now has an active link to allow people to get information on donating to the Housing For Heroes Fund for which NPDCD Inc will serve as the fiduciary. Guidance from the committee was sought on adding information regarding donations to the Danbury Housing Partnership Fund. Mr. Nolan recommended that the information be added with links allowing the giver to designate that the funds be used to assist general efforts, services, homeless programs, Project Homeless Connect, or families with children. The City’s Finance Department will serve as the fiduciary for this fund.
The committee noted that the City was under a budget freeze and that approval would have to be received to utilize the consultant fees included in the Health, Housing & Welfare Department budget. The committee agreed that approval to use these funds would be sought only if needed to facilitate the creation of affordable housing for seniors at the Main Street site now occupied by the Police Station or if necessary to meet an application deadline for stimulus funding for housing and services.
Mr. Schierloh confirmed that there was no announcement regarding the Neighborhood Stabilization Program application submitted to the State by the City in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury. The committee noted additional NSP funding is proposed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) but that funds will be awarded through a national competition that is also open to non-profits rather than to cities and States through entitlement allocations. While Danbury will be eligible to apply, our chances of being funded may be greatly reduced under this format.
Mr. Nolan provided a brief update on the Veterans Housing Workgroup. The Workgroup has not met, but NPDCD continues to make progress with respect to the Vet House project. NPDCD has also submitted an application for CDBG to help purchase the property next to Vet House to serve as permanent supportive housing for Veterans. The Housing Authority also remains hopeful of obtaining some VASH vouchers. Bob Botelho’s affordable housing proposal that may include a few units for veterans has also begun the review process before City commissions.
Mr. Schierloh invited discussion on potential funding in the stimulus bill for housing and services. Danbury received two direct awards in entitlement programs, with the City receiving an additional $168k in CDBG funds and the Housing Authority receiving $772k in Public Housing Capital Funding. All other stimulus funding will be channeled through the State. Mr. Nolan noted that Connecticut received $26.2 million under the Tax Credit Assistance Program which he hoped would encourage the State to lift the freeze on approved Next Steps projects such as the MCCA project in Danbury. The LAMPP Consortium, of which Danbury is a member, received an increase of $875k in Lead Hazard Reduction funds. Connecticut also received $48.2 million to fund Project Based Rental Assistance vouchers, although this appears to be funding shortfalls in 140 existing authorized vouchers rather than new vouchers.
Connecticut also received $10.8 million in Homelessness Prevention Funds which members hope we will have an opportunity to apply for. The funds could be used for a number of functions consistent with a “Rapid Re-Housing” strategy which would be consistent with the Partnership’s intent to address the needs of intact families in a comprehensive manner. Members agreed that preparation of a plan to utilize these funds and the submission of an application to obtain them should be an urgent priority of the Partnership. Ms. Sangut also brought to the attention of the committee an RFP put out by SAMHSA for competitive grant applications for mental health services in connection with permanent supportive housing.
It was noted that Paul Scalzo, Chair of the Housing and Community Development Committee, had agreed to joint action of our two committees on evaluating the HomeConnecticut Legislation. Mr. Scalzo will also have his committee work with the Social and Supportive Services Committee regarding a comprehensive housing strategy for families with children. It was further agreed that the development of a rapid re-housing system should be a priority of the committee and the Partnership. Mr. Nolan reported that Mayor Boughton indicated that he wanted the Partnership to participate in the proposed senior housing development on Main Street and that we will be called upon at the appropriate time. Mr. Nolan noted that we were progressing with the re-messaging campaign that he can use in connection with fund-raising efforts. He also suggested that we initiate a meeting with local lenders as part of our efforts to address foreclosures and re-cycle properties into affordable housing.
A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Nolan, seconded by Mr. Schierloh and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 4:05 pm.