CITY OF DANBURY
Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee
Danbury Housing Partnership
155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, Connecticut 06810
Minutes of the June 2, 2009 Meeting
Present: Nolan, Schierloh, Sistrunk
Absent: McLachlan
A meeting of the Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee of the Danbury Housing Partnership was conducted in Danbury City Hall on June 2, 2009. The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Carolyn Sistrunk at 2:10 pm.
A motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was made by Ms. Sistrunk, seconded by Paul Schierloh and passed unanimously.
Mark Nolan reported that he had set up the Housing For Heroes Fund and was ready to accept donations. Donation forms for the Housing For Heroes Fund and the Danbury Housing Partnership Fund are linked to the Partnership website. The Neighborhood Assistance Act list of approved programs this year includes two Partnership initiatives: Housing For Heroes for contributions to Vet House and the Municipal Housing Trust Fund for supporting a variety of Partnership activities. Corporations can receive tax credits for contributions made to approved programs during the last two weeks in September. The Partnership has also begun planning for the Partnership breakfast in early October.
Mr. Nolan reported that he had been asked by David Deschenes of the United Way of Western Connecticut to serve as a guest blogger to discuss the goals and activities of the Housing Partnership. Following discussion, Ms. Sistrunk moved to recommend that Partnership Chair Mark Nolan accept the invitation from the United Way to represent the Partnership as a guest blogger as part of the “Take Five To Give 5” campaign. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schierloh and passed unanimously.
Ms. Sistrunk invited discussion regarding current and upcoming grant opportunities. Mr. Nolan reported that the Social and Supportive Services Committee has been working on plans to submit an application to Connecticut’s Department of Social Services for $1.4 million in Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Funds. The application deadline is July 1, 2009. ARC will likely be the lead agency to submit the application with the Social and Supportive Services Committee serving as a steering committee. City certification of the application is required.
Pursuant to a suggestion by Sen. McLachlan, members agreed to research funding available through the Melville Charitable Trust. The committee will consider whether to pursue an application at the July meeting.
Ms. Sistrunk confirmed that the City of Danbury and the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury were again teaming up to seek funding under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 through a State collaborative involving seventeen cities. Connecticut DECD will serve as the lead agency to submit the application. The management structure will consist of a steering committee tracking progress statewide with Danbury serving as an implementing partner responsible for implementing the program in Danbury. The State is anticipated to ask for $45 to 60 million, with Danbury requesting $3 million of that total. The City will again provide financial oversight, with HACD responsible for program implementation either on its own or in concert with non-profit partners. HACD will be providing $300,000 in Housing Replacement Factor Funds for this round. It is anticipated that twelve to fifteen units could be acquired and rehabbed.
Mr. Nolan reported that he has been working on a potential permanent supportive housing development in concert with the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury. The housing would be available for women and children in need of a safe, supportive housing environment. Submission of an application for project-based vouchers from HACD will be considered should the authority issue a new RFP for the use of such vouchers.
The committee reviewed a letter from HUD to Mayor Mark Boughton that indicated that funding in the amount of $190,000 had been reserved by Congress to construct and renovate housing for homeless veterans in Danbury. Instructions for applying for the funding were attached. Mr. Schierloh was asked to forward the information to Director of Finance David St. Hilaire and seek his help and input. The committee also requested that Mr. Schierloh schedule a meeting of the Veterans Housing Workgroup on June 11, 2009 to focus on permanent housing and consider how best to utilize the new funding.
Ms. Sistrunk provided a summary of foreclosure trends based on information made available under the NSP 2 application process. Danbury has two census tracts (2107 and 2104) with foreclosure rating scores of 18, a priority level for inclusion in the State collaborative application. Foreclosure rates in Danbury increased significantly during the last half of 2008. The committee further discussed convening a meeting of area lenders to discuss foreclosure issues but decided to table the matter for further consideration at the July meeting.
Discussion was held on financing for affordable housing for seniors. Mr. Nolan reported that he was meeting with Mayor Boughton tomorrow to discuss the proposed development of the Police Station site on lower Main Street and what role the Mayor envisioned for the Partnership. Mr. Nolan indicated that he would need input from the committee to identify what our involvement should be and perform any needed tasks.
A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Schierloh, seconded by Mr. Nolan and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:50 pm.