CITY OF DANBURY

Danbury Housing Partnership

155 Deer Hill Avenue

Danbury, Connecticut  06810

 

Minutes of the Special Meeting for January 7, 2010

 

Present:  M. Morgado, T. Medve, M. Nolan, M. Sangut, P. Scalzo, W. Shepperd, D. Channing, S. Zaborowski, C. Sistrunk

Absent:    C. Barrows, D. Deschenes, D. Elpern, D. Filgate, M. Hasskarl, E. Lima, Rev. Payton, D. Valeri, Honorable Judge Yamin

 

Guest Speaker:  Kent Carpenter, Habitat for Humanity

 

The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in City Hall, Common Council Caucus Room, on January 7, 2010.  Chairman Mark Nolan called the meeting to order at 3:06pm, and welcomed all guests to the Partnership meeting. 

 

Mr. Nolan indicated to the Partnership that this was a special meeting even though it was originally scheduled as a regular meeting.  Due to the lateness in placing the Housing Partnership calendar before the Town Clerk within a specified time period, this meeting needed to be considered a special meeting and must follow Robert’s Rules of Order.  The agenda posted can not be altered and must be followed by protocol.  The calendar meeting for 2010 has been properly posted to the Town Clerk and will be followed for the rest of the year.

  

A motion to accept the minutes of November 5, 2009 was made by D. Channing, seconded by P. Scalzo, passed unanimously and placed on file. 

  

There was no public comment.

  

Chairman Nolan introduced guest speaker, Kent Carpenter, from Habitat for Humanity to discuss their goals for 2010.  Mr. Nolan also indicated that Habitat has been invited to join the Housing Partnership.  Mr. Carpenter or one of his colleagues can be appointed by Mayor Boughton to become members of the Partnership by the next scheduled meeting. 

 

Mr. Carpenter stated that most individuals have heard of Habitat, but in realty do not know actually what and how Habitat for Humanity works. Mr. Carpenter indicated that Habitat has been in existence since the early 90’s and as of present have 16 houses built and sold and now have 3 houses under construction.  The housing is secured for low income individuals and families.  The standard/formula of 60% of the median income for Danbury must be met to qualify for housing under Habitat for Humanity.  The average median income for the Danbury area is over $100, 000, which means the guidelines can handle families up to $63,000 annual income.  Most of the families involved with Habitat would not meet an income of  $63,000, but families need to have sufficient income to handle the mortgages and must place at least 400 hours of sweat equity into the property that they have been selected to receive. Also the selected families must provide an additional 200 hours in construction/budgeting, financing, home ownership, etc., to be eligible for this type of housing.  There is a total of 600 hours of investment time required by the selected families.  Financing for the houses from Habitat are obtained primarily through private funds, some CDBG grants, corporations, foundations, etc.

 

Mr. Carpenter provided extensive information on funding/mortgages; obtaining properties, rehab existing properties that were in distress from the City, etc.  Habitat for Humanity will work with their clients who may have financial difficulties due to the economy, including working with mortgage adjustments, etc.  Discussion was given by Mr. Carpenter on a single donor for Habitat who provided funding opportunities in Danbury to initiate 3 housing projects.  This one donor would like to continue to work in community neighborhoods by taking 3-5 houses in a distressed area and rehab to renew the neighborhood back to good standing. Some sources would like to work in our community and in conjunction, not only with Habitat, but to partnership with other entities to make a positive mark/impact in Danbury.

 

Habitat, as an organization, has sources, who would like to focus on Danbury and address such major issues of homelessness, rental issues and eventually homeownership which would impact the community as a whole and fulfill the mission that Habitat would like to see in our community. Habitat has also developed multi-family property, which they have turned the units into condominiums and have let the property owners become a condo association.  Habitat is keeping tabs on this type of homeownership and needs to be more diligent in following up on the association.

 

Mr. Nolan will be presenting for the Partnership at the next HVECO meeting on January 21st.  The Connecticut Partnership for Strong Communities will also be present at this meeting. Mr. Nolan will be giving an update on the Partnership to new selectmen’s and new members.  Mr. Nolan will also make another presentation to HVECO and to keep re-emphasizing regional participation and cooperation.

 

Committee reports were provided to Partnership members:

 

  1. Public Relations, Marketing and Education Committee:  Wayne Shepperd indicated that the committee will be meeting next week and will need to delegate/elect a new chairperson for the Committee. The Housing Partnership website has been updated with many reports, activities, etc., placed by Paul Schierloh.
  2. Housing and Community Development Committee:  Paul Scalzo reported that the committee met before this meeting.  Two items are prioritized at our meeting.  1. Last month we had guest speaker, John Kukulka, from New Neighborhoods, who spoke to our committee regarding the ability to conduct some type of housing project in Danbury.  Mr. Kukulka is presently finishing two projects in lower Fairfield County and would like to produce some type of housing project in Danbury in which he could also finance. 2.  The opportunity map will be finalized with available properties and areas of development within the City that can assist developers in creating affordable projects in the community.  Mr. Kukulka has indicated that he would like to focus on seniors and supportive housing, depending on his financing opportunities.  The committee will have Mr. Kukulka return within the next 60 days for a follow-up meeting.
  3. Social and Supportive Services Committee: Ms. Sangut stated that the committee met yesterday and discussed what future small scale project would be initiated with the approval from the Housing Partnership. The committee would like to start a clothing drive for Valentine’s Day, called Warm Hands, Warm Hearts that would entail the collection of hats, gloves, socks, scarves at drop-off points of City Hall and Ability Beyond Disability Building from January 25-28.  Distribution of clothing will be held on February 10th at the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen, Morning Glory breakfast between the hours of 6:30am-9:00am.  The Point in Time Count of all local and overflow shelters will be held on January 27th, in the evening.  Intake will be on informational data that is added into the HMIS system.  The committee is also meeting every other month to coincide with the Housing Partnership meetings.  A special meeting will be held in February to define the committee’s mission, plan of action for the Ten Year Plan, review the NOFA from the Continuum of Care, etc.
  4. Financial Resource and Fundraising Committee:  Mr. Nolan indicated the committee did not meet.  

Ms. Sangut reported on Project Homeless Connect that took place on December 11, 2009 at Western Connecticut State University.  The event was well attended with approximately 205 people receiving a variety of services.  This year’s event was held at the Westconn campus, which was a better layout than the Elk’s building. Different services were added to assist those who were homeless or at a potential of becoming homeless.  Dental screening/cleaning was provided along with other repeat services such as vision screening, flu/H1N1 shots, emergency housing information, breakfast/lunch served, etc.  Bus shuttle service was provided throughout the day.  Looking at the statistical information it was noted that young adults were an increase from the last Project Homeless Connect.  The number received was about 29 individuals providing services for the age range of 17-25 years old.

 

The agencies attendance, survey and data collection was completed.  Goodie bags and clothing was distributed to all participants.  The committee decided not to utilize CDBG money for this event due to constraints.  The Housing Partnership and Mr. Nolan’s Housing Fund was utilized in purchasing of bus tickets, food tickets, and other necessities for the event. The Social and Supportive Services Committee would like the Fundraising Committee to develop other events through out the year to help financially sponsor Project Homeless Connect.  The annual Housing Partnership breakfast has been a great success and fundraising opportunity for assisting Project Homeless Connect and the committee hopes to continue with this financial support.

 

Letters of thanks will be submitted to all sponsors and volunteers for Project Homeless Connect.  The committee will also be looking into taking an ad out in the News Times for a “Thank You” to all participants and have the United Way possibly fund the ad.  Paul Schierloh will look into submitting the required thank you letters to the agencies, etc.

 

Ms. Sangut also reported on the Continuum of Care and the NOFA and the renewal of grants for the three Shelter of the Cross, the Housing Authority, Dream Homes(HMIS),etc.  More information will be provided at the next Partnership meeting.

 

Ms. Sistrunk provided updated information on the Housing Authority submitting an application to HUD to federalize both Glen Apartments and Crosby Manor properties. Upon submission, the HA was told that there was a slim chance of obtaining approval of the application.  Notice was received today that HUD approved the application for Crosby Manor.  This is an elderly property that has no capital money.  This property was open in 1972 and has capital issues.  The HA can now use federal capital under the state program.  The approximate 76 seniors will not have to pay more on their rent due to this federal assistance.

 

Ms. Sistrunk also reported on applying for Home Funds by the State for Glen Apartments(100 units).  The application and approval process will take about a year, but will assist in the modernization of this property.  CHFA funding will be further investigated as a funding source for the HA.

 

Ms. Channing reported that the Beaver Street Co-Op is looking into funding opportunities in tax credit and application processing.  The property request in the application would be used for modernization, physical and cosmetic improvements, fencing replacement.  CHFA funding will be further investigated.

 

Mr. Nolan reported on the Reaching Home Campaign and the proposal of producing 10,000 units within the next 10 years.  Available resources within the State are needed to produce at least 600 units by the end of 2010.  Mr. Nolan will report on this campaign when further information is provided.

 

Mr. Nolan selected Ms. Channing to be assigned to the Public Relations, Marketing and Education Committee.  Staff will place Ms. Channing on the appropriate email listing.

 

There was no further business to report.  The next scheduled meeting for the Housing Partnership will be on Thursday, March 4, 2010, 3:00pm in the Common Council Caucus Room.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by P. Scalzo, seconded by M. Morgado, passed unanimously.