CITY OF DANBURY

 

Danbury Housing Partnership

155 Deer Hill Avenue

Danbury, Connecticut   06810

 

Minutes of March 5, 2009

 

Present: D. Valeri, P. Schierloh, S. Zaborowski, C. Barrows, G. Lemme, P. Scalzo,

              M. Sangut, M. Nolan, D. Yamin

 

Absent:  D. Deschenes, D. Elpern, E. Lima,  M. McLachlan, Rev. Payton, C. Sistrunk,

              W. Shepperd, J. Sullivan

Also present:  Doreen Filgreat

 

The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in City Hall, Common Council Caucus Room, on March 5, 2009.  Chairman Mark Nolan called the meeting to order at 3:10pm.  The minutes of January 8, 2009 was reviewed by all present members.   A motion to accept to accept the minutes was made by Judge Yamin, seconded by G. Lemme, passed unanimously and placed on file.

 

There were no public comments.

 

Chairman Nolan updated the Partnership on the required revisions from all committees.  The Executive Committee has reviewed and approved 3 committee revisions, with the Social and Supportive Service committee to finalize their revisions and submit their remarks to P. Schierloh.  The final reports need to be submitted to the Common Council members on their April 7, 2009 meeting.

 

Mr. Nolan acknowledged that due to the economic downturn, some of the committees may not be able to meet the time lines indicated in the Ten Year Plan, and adjustments will need to be made.

 

Committee reports were provided to Partnership members:

 

  1. Public Relations, Marketing and Education Committee:  Mr. Schierloh reported that the re-messaging of homelessness and to create more awareness within the community is an active concern. The committee would also like to focus on fundraising projects and have continual support of all committee’s and outside agencies in support of such community projects.  Other towns should also be jointly supportive of any activities or projects presented such as Dream Homes.  The Housing Partnership website has been enhanced and a section for donations to Housing for Heroes has been added.  
  1. Housing and Community Development:  Mr. Scalzo reported that the committee met this afternoon.  The committee reviewed the Housing Incentive Zone and decided that this law would not be applicable to the City of Danbury.  D. Elpern provided an informational data sheet indicating how the law would not work in our City.  The proposed law indicated that funding would be appropriated for certain development.  Since the entire country, including the State of Connecticut is having economic difficulties; the funding would probably not be available. 
  1. Social and Supportive Services:  Ms. Valeri reported that the committee has met two times and needs to complete the revisions to the Ten Year Plan.  The committee also welcomed two new additions(Dawn Wilson and Michele Conderino). The committee has reviewed information from the Stimulus Package that will impact homelessness.  Two websites to obtain additional information are the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness.  

Mr. Nolan discussed best practices and support services that the Ten Year Plan identified for Veteran’s Housing.  The federal monies coming from the Stimulus Package should service the needs in the community, whether it being elderly, youth, rental assistance, intake families, etc.  Mr. Nolan also was in contact with John Kline from Union Savings Bank regarding banking issues, foreclosures, tier money, etc.  The Partnership should address concerns of foreclosures, evictions, relocation as needed due to the economy.

 

The Partnership members discussed monies funded to the State and being dispersed to various communities, etc.  Action Plans need to be in place for allocated monies, services, program usage, etc.  There will be many meetings throughout local governments to discuss spending needs, time frames, first priorities, enforcement, and any problems resulting from monies received.

 

Discussion regarding the Partnership sponsoring a Housing Forum was discussed.  Topics of discussion will include Fair Housing laws, both Federal and State, Section 8 information, housing accessibility for the disabled.  The forum will be open to the general public, landlords, realtors, etc.  The Housing Forum will be located in the conference/meeting room of the Danbury Public Library on Tuesday, April 28th, from 6:00(registration) to 8:00pm(library closes).  Invitations will be sent out by the Partnership secretary. 

 

Mr. Schierloh made a motion that the Housing Partnership sponsor the Housing Forum and provide refreshments up to $100.00, seconded by G. Lemme, passed unanimously.  Staff will finalize all information and send e-mail notification to all Partnership members.

 

Mr. Nolan emphasized that the Partnership is still addressing senior housing needs and will continue to explore the use of the old Danbury Police station as viable senior housing.  Ms. Barrows will continue to address Mayor Boughton in finalizing the usage of the Police Station for senior usage and report any further information to the Partnership.

 

The Partnership is working on additional members to the Partnership and will provide more information at the next scheduled meeting to be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 3:00pm.  There was no further business to report.  A motion to adjourn was made by P. Schierloh, seconded by M. Nolan, and passed unanimously.