CITY OF DANBURY

Danbury Housing Partnership

155 Deer Hill Avenue

Danbury, Connecticut  06810

Minutes of November 5, 2009

Present:  C. Barrows, M. Nolan, M. Sangut, S. Zaborowski, M. Magado,

                D. Channing, P. Scalzo, C. Sistrunk

Absent:   G. Lemme(resigned),  J. Sullivan(resigned), D. Valeri, D. Deschenes,                         

                 D. Elpern, M. McLachlan, Rev. Payton, T. Medve, Wayne Shepperd

Also Present:  V. Nolan(New Milford Economic Development), Sabriana Ross(Head Start)

                          Guest Speaker:  Debbie McCuin-Channing, CT. Institute for Communities, Inc.

The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in City Hall, Common Council Caucus Room, on November 5, 2009.  Chairman Mark Nolan called the meeting to order at 3:10pm. and welcomed all guests to the Partnership meeting.  The minutes from July 9, 2009 was reviewed by all present members.  A motion to accept the minutes was made by C. Sistrunk, seconded by M. Nolan, passed unanimously and placed on file.  The September minutes will be submitted by W. Shepperd at the next scheduled meeting for all Partnership members to review. 

Chairman Nolan stated that two new members of the Partnership were appointed by Mayor Boughton:  Debbie McCuin-Channing and Martin Morgado.

There was no public comment.

Mr. Nolan stated that the Danbury Housing Partnership annual breakfast was a success.  Approximately 260 people attended and Mr. Nolan thanked all participants and sponsors of the event.  Carolyn will send out thank you letters to all.  The net profit from the event was $2,000.00 after paying for the video, awards and breakfast. The financial proceeds from the breakfast last year would benefit Project Homeless Connect for 2008.  A request came to the Housing Partnership from the Health, Housing and Welfare Department to assist Project Homeless Connect of 2009 for this year and also for a contribution to the Vet House.   Since Mr. Nolan is a partner in assisting in the handling of  Vet House, there is no dollar amount requested until further information on the potential short fall in the project becomes evident.

The Vet House has received approval from many entities:  The City of Danbury,  The Danbury Housing Authority, The VA , etc. to allow occupancy of the premise.  The Vet House is doing an outreach for permanent tenants, in which there are 3 of the 4 for permanent housing approved.  The Vet House is working with the VA , Dream Homes and Mike Finn, of the Emergency Shelter, to identify the vets for the six(6) transitional beds for up to 2 years per diem basis.  The building has been furnished with beds, dressers, tables/chairs, etc., with additional donations from Costco and Bob’s Furniture.   A fundraiser is being coordinated by Senator McLachlan to having a golf outing to coincide with Veteran’s Day at Candlewood Valley Golf Course in New Milford, Connecticut.  Vet House is located on 18 New Street.  Vet House II will be located at 20 New Street and the purchase is moving forward.  The local gentleman who purchased the building from the auction company from New York has become aware of the deed restrictions after his purchase.  The local purchaser’s Attorney Ed Hannafin, has been in contact with the Non-Profit Development Corporation and Counsel to have the property transferred to the Non-Profit.  This process can take from 6- months to a year.  Funding has been secured in the approximate amount of  $290,000 to purchase and rehab the property.   The building is a legal 3 family house but the previous owner had made the building four apartments, which will incur significant renovations/repairs.

Mr. Nolan requested approval from the Housing Partnership to donate money to Project Homeless Connect for the purchase of necessary items to be given to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  We need to be cautious on allocating funds from proceeds of the annual breakfast.  The City of Danbury is the trustee of the Partnership’s funds and there are certain procedures that need to be followed in using those funds. The Partnership has been approved to expend up to $1,000.00 to avoid using the bidding process.  Mr. Nolan is making a recommendation to make a donation of $1,000.00 to Project Homeless Connect, or $999.00.  C. Sistrunk made the motion to donate no more than $1,000.00 to Project Homeless Connect, seconded by M. Morgado, passed unanimously.  Staff will follow-up on the appropriate paperwork for the Partnership.

Mr. Nolan introduced the guest speaker, Debbie Channing from the Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc.(CIFC) to speak to the Partnership regarding her organization and their community involvement in Danbury.  Ms. Channing stated that she and  Sabrina Ross(from Head Start) had met about two months ago with Wayne Shepperd to discuss CIFC.  Ms. Channing indicated that CIFC CEO is former Congressman Jim Maloney, who also manages the Beaver Street Apartment Co-op’s as well as several other initiatives in the City.  The Institute has just become the managing agents for the new federally qualified Health Center that will be opening in January.  The homeless program offered through  CIFC has received funding to ensure that children(pre-school) have access to the Head Start Program.  The Head Start Program services children from 3-5 years of age.  Staring next year, CIFC will starting serving pregnant mothers, infants and toddlers through a recently awarded Head Start grant.  The issues of homelessness as well as the attending symptoms that go with this issue have tremendous impact on small children.  Research indicates that brain development is starting from birth to 3 years of age and any negative impact can be both detrimental and permanent.  When children of this age are placed in an environment of poverty and homelessness( which can also initiate adult depression, substance abuse, etc.,), these children can be destined to problems in learning, compromised health, social and emotional issues, etc. All of this will then translates to huge economic and educational issues for the local communities(i.e. special education, troubled teen-agers, non-functioning adults, etc.) 

Discussion also entailed the commitment of Head Start for families and children, offering assistance, supportive services, etc.  Mr. Nolan recommended that the Social and Supportive Service Committee may want to participate in the mission of Head Start in our local community.  The general public can contact Head Start directly for further information since CIFC website is under construction.  The Partnership will place all information on our website for public access.  The Partnership has also identified youths, under our updated plan.  We recognize that certain components of the Ten Year Plan from birth to seniors, have no aging in place and need more service coordination.  CIFC is providing service coordination for birth to 3, homeless children and families. 

C. Sistrunk provided an update on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program I and II and new information regarding the programs run by the Housing Authority.  The HA runs many programs within their organization, two being the Federal Housing Program and the State Housing Program.  The Federal Housing Program is for low income individuals and there are monthly subsidy provided(operating) which is routine and capital subsidy provided on a yearly basis.  The Danbury Housing Authority is one of five(5) states that have a State Housing Program.  Unlike the Federal Program, the only income provided to the State Program is rent.  The intention back in 1953-54 was a higher income individual would be in the state program and the lower income individual would be in the federal program.  As the economy changed, more than 70% of our State Program is tenants and participants who earn less than 30 % of the median income, which is the exact demographics, in terms of income, as the federal housing program.  With the latest stimulus funding, we looked at the package and found a loop hole that would help the Housing Authority to move the State Program units over to the Federal Program.  This movement would require the H.A. to pass the state units under federal inspections, which is more difficult than the state housing inspections.  Proposals, engineering design, etc. need to be completed and submitted by the H.A. in a timely fashion.  Ms. Sistrunk brought this information to the Partnership because it is a way to stabilize the state housing program, and in particular, to assist our elderly in which the economy has severely impacted this population. The H.A. has allocated stimulus funds in the amount of $300,000.00 for the state units.  Next week very stringent federal inspections will be conducted of the state units, which then the H.A. will develop a construction rehab proposal and see the feasibility of conducting such a housing project.  Ms. Sistrunk also reported to the Housing Partnership that the H.A is requesting federal assistance with the Family Unification notice of funding availability.  The vouchers are predominately cases referred through the State of Connecticut DCF department for children in substandard housing, children that are homeless, children that are in domestic violence situations.  The State is asking the H.A. to serve, in our area, approximately 62 persons and a 134 people waiting for housing.  The H.A. has processed their application and will execute the memorandum of agreement shortly.  The Danbury Housing Authority is requesting a Letter of Support from the Housing Partnership since this application will service the Danbury area(both Fairfield and Litchfield Counties).  Mr. Scalzo made a motion that the Danbury Housing Partnership send a Letter of Support to the Housing Authority, seconded by M. Morgado, passed unanimously.

Ms. Sistrunk provided information/update on Neighborhood Stabilization Program I and II regarding funds that the Housing Authority, in conjunction with the City of Danbury, has  acquired to rehab foreclosed or abandoned condo units that are constructed after 1978, 1990’s.  With HUD, an analysis was made and determined that four census tracts that had the most need to concentrate housing on.  As the market has recently changed/shifted,  the H.A has asked the State of Connecticut to include three additional census tracts because the foreclosure pattern is shifting north/east in the City.  The numbers of condo units has increased and the Housing Authority intent is to create 7-10 permanent rental units. All the monies obtained by the Housing Authority need to be obligated by 2010, used by 2011.

Committee reports were provided to Partnership members:

1. Public Relations, Marketing and Education Committee:  Wayne Shepperd was not present to give a report.  The committee report will be tabled.
2.  Housing and Community Development Committee:    Mr. Scalzo reported on guest speaker, John Kukulka from New Neighborhoods, Inc.  Mr. Kukulka’s agency completed the housing project called Samuel’s Court and described to the committee how the project started, neighborhood dissension, and finalizing the 28 supportive housing units.  Mr. Kukulka also indicated to the group that the units are subsidized and also providing support services by The Center for Human Development Outreach West(PILOTS).  New Neighborhoods would like to head north to get involved in further housing development.  Funds can be applied for and made available with an 18 month window of opportunity to proceed with one or two projects in the Danbury area towards creating affordable housing and affordable elderly housing.    A location map of available properties will be further developed by this committee.
3. Social and Supportive Services Committee:  Denise Valeri was not present to give a report.  Ms. Sangut indicated that the committee was concentrating on finalizing Project Homeless Connect which will be reported at the next scheduled Partnership meeting.
4. Financial Resource and Fundraising Committee:  Mr. Nolan reported that the committee discussed Project Homeless Connect and Vet House requests.  The  Partnership breakfast has netted approximately $7,500.00 for the past two years.  This year net was about $2,000.00 after payment of the video, awards and breakfast cost.  The committee voted to spend no more than $1,000.00 for Project Homeless Connect.  The City of Danbury is holding the Partnership money in a custodian account and has certain  parameters in utilizing such funds.

Ms. Sangut reported on the Continuum of Care.  The NOFA is now out with a due date of November 25, 2009.  The project applications RFP have been submitted with many renewals and one new application for a Shelter Plus Care certificate.  The United Way has not yet responded to the CoC, but is expected to contact Ms. Sangut.  Project Homeless Connect is scheduled for December 11, 2009 at Western Connecticut State University gymnasium.  A meeting is scheduled next Friday to go over the layout of the facility and start planning/mapping the floor plan.  Service providers this year will be a bit more diverse with offerings of haircuts, dental assistance by Community Health Center, New Hope Baptist Church is organizing the clothing drive, etc.  Purchase orders are being handled by the City of Danbury(i.e. bags, t-shirts, etc.)

There is approximately $5,000.00 of CDBG monies being used for Project Homeless Connect.  Mr. Nolan advised Ms. Sangut to be careful and document the benefit of the monies being utilized as stated by L. Wagner Associates.  For example if bags are being given out, the documentation needs to show that the people receiving the bags are actually homeless.

The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Funding update indicates that stimulus  money is in the community and the agreement has been executed.  Both Dream Homes and CACD will be handling the funding opportunities.  1.4 Million dollars was allocated to the 44 town region, and Danbury was ear marked for approximately $500,000 to be used for rapid re-housing and homeless prevention.  The monies could be used to help individuals pay up to 3 months of rental payments(up to $1200.00/per month), electric utilities, storage, moving, etc.  Ms. Sistrunk recommended that the lead agency for HPRP(New Opportunities) be invited to speak at the next Housing Partnership meeting scheduled for January 7, 2010 to provide information/update on what has been happening in the community.  There will be benchmarks to see how the spending is being processed at this point in time.  Also it was recommended that both local entities, CACD and Dream Homes should also be invited to attend. 

Mr. Nolan indicated that the Housing Partnership has two new members appointed by the Mayor:  Martin Morgado, representing Savings Bank of Danbury and Debbie Channing of Connecticut Institute for Communities.

Under staffing update, Mr. Nolan indicated that Sue Zaborowski has taken over full services for recently retired Paul Schierloh. Also, the Non-Profit Rental Housing Corporation(President Mark Nolan) voted last night to spend up to $600.00 per 6 months for assisting and staffing the Partnership website management(updating) and helping the efforts of Sue Zaborowski with secretarial demands.

Senior Housing update was reported by Mark Nolan.  Teleconference was conducted in July with the diocesan  on the development of the old Police Station(120 Main Street)  and the site to the south of Boughton Street(Community Service building and old Fire Department) which the City has now been vacant.  The discussion was in general with representatives of Union Savings Bank in attendance. Mr. Nolan remarked on the relocation of Union Savings Bank branch, median income guidelines(50-120%), senior housing need to down size their housing/transition, etc.  By utilizing and shifting this change of median income for seniors today, some of the state and federal monies utilized need to be addressed to accommodate a higher income of seniors who want to sell their present homes and have a slightly larger unit that does not fit the standard size of a housing unit for senior.

The diocese is playing a role in 120 Main Street development due to the locality of the parcel of land to the school, etc.  Mr. Nolan requested that Mayor Boughton and his Chief of Staff re-target the property of 120 Main Street and advised the Housing Partnership of any updates.  Mr. Nolan sees the property development in stages:

Phase I – Union Savings Bank branch relocation.

Phase II – What to do with the Library site.

Phase III – What to do with the old Police Station.

Carolyn Sistrunk suggested to the Partnership that other sites should be considered for Senior Housing development besides the Old Police Station.  Carolyn also suggested that Wayne Shepperd or someone from the Mayor’s Development Team be invited to the second Partnership meeting(March 4, 2010) to update the Partnership. Carolyn Sistrunk made a motion to draft a letter to first congratulate Mayor Boughton on his re-election and, secondly, to request the status of 120 Main Street property be placed on the Common Council Agenda, seconded by Martin Morgado, abstention from Mark Nolan, passed.

There was no further business to report.  A motion to adjourn was made by C. Sistrunk, seconded by D. Channing, passed unanimously.  The next scheduled meeting will be on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Staff will email all committee and housing partnership meetings for 2010 and post in the Town Clerk’s office.