CITY OF DANBURY

Danbury Housing Partnership

155 Deer Hill Avenue

Danbury, Connecticut   06810

 

Minutes of May 6, 2010

 

Present:  M. Nolan, C. Sistrunk, S. Zaborowski, C. Barrows, M. Morgado, M. Sangut, D. Valeri,

                W. Shepperd

Absent:   D. Deschenes, D. Elpern, D. Filgate, E. Lima, M. McLachlan, T. Medve, Rev. Payton,

                P. Scalzo, D. Channing, Hon. Judge Yamin

 

The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in City Hall, conference room 2C, on May 6, 2010. Chairman Mark Nolan called the meeting to order at 3:10pm.

 

 

A motion to accept the minutes of March 4, 2010 was made by C. Sistrunk, seconded by M. Morgado, passed unanimously and placed on file.

 

 

There was no public comment.

 

 

Mr. Nolan reported that the Danbury Housing Partnership Annual report, with an update of the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and the progress made to date has been completed by Paul Schierloh.  A copy of the report is being prepared and will be discussed further at the end of this meeting.  The presentation and submission to the City Council will be completed by May for the June agenda.  Carolyn and Mark will finalize the report, with feedback from the Partnership for the required Council deadline.

 

 

Dianne Randall, President of the Connecticut Partnership for Strong Communities/Reaching Home as a guest speaker was recommended for the Partnership Breakfast on Thursday, October 7, 2010, to be held at the Amber Room.  The number of attendees for this event is approximately 300.  The Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee has decided and agreed to have the community breakfast as an annual event with sponsored tables.  A draft letter is being written by Paul Schierloh, for approval by Carolyn and Mark, in contacting last year’s sponsored tables for their continual support of the breakfast.  .The Committee would also like to incorporate Project Homeless Connect effort of fundraising with the breakfast so that we don’t have to do this twice. 

 

 

There has been an outreach to five local community banks to help underwrite the community breakfast, but more importantly, Project Homeless Connect annual event.  The breakfast in the past was not able to totally assist Project Homeless Connect, but with the financial assistance of the local banking community, this public event can continue to offer a much needed support service to the homeless or potentially homeless population in Danbury.

 

 

Each of the banks will be requested to sponsor/donate approximately $1500.00 to finance both the Partnership breakfast and Project Homeless Connect.  Letters of request will be mailed to each of the banks by July 1, 2010.  The Housing Authority has donated $1500 towards the Partnership breakfast which will allow more financial support for Project Homeless Connect.  Mr. Nolan reported on past funding for Project Homeless Connect and funding through the City of Danbury’s CDBG program.  The City had provided $5000.00 for Project Homeless Connect, but the requirements for documentation and administration was too detailed in allowing the event monies to be used freely for the homeless population. 

 

 

Because of the difficulties in following CDBG protocol, the Housing Partnership breakfast was providing financial assistance to Project Homeless Connect.  The business community contribution to the Housing Partnership breakfast would be greatly appreciated by providing any additional financial assistance through sponsorship of tables this year at the Amber Room.

 

Denise is requesting that a table be set aside for those volunteers who are very active in the community and are willing to donate there time for various activities that are a benefit to Danbury.  Mr. Nolan indicated that the Non-Profit Rental Corporation and the Non-Profit Development Corporation of Danbury have purchased tables for the Housing Partnership breakfast and would allow those volunteers who attend the breakfast to sit at these tables without cost to them or the organization that they represent.

 

 

Mr. Nolan indicated the three awards to be given at the breakfast.  Mayor Boughton would like to reach out to the outlining communities, not only to endorse and support the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness(which can be used as a regional approach), but also to indicate that HVECO has an Affordable Housing Task Force that is starting to meet and formulate an agenda to meet the regional community needs. A list of proposed award recipients can be considered that are outside the Danbury community.

 

 

Paul Schierloh has updated the Housing Partnership website and providing email blasts on major issues that are an impact to the community.  The only subject matter not updated is the HPRP plan of action/money update within Danbury.  The Housing Partnership has sent correspondence to Toni of New Opportunities for her comments that would then be sent to Bobbi Poole and P.J. Leopold for their input and then be brought before the Partnership, as a whole, for additional comments.

 

 

Committee reports were provided to Partnership members:

  1. Public Relations, Marketing and Education Committee/Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee reports were already given.

  1. Social and Supportive Services Committee:  Ms. Valeri reported that the Committee met yesterday with guest speaker, Jackie Elam, from the Danbury Housing Authority.  Ms. Elam presented information on Section 8, voucher programs, multi-generational hold on housing in the projects, policies and procedures, etc.  One VASH voucher had been received by the Housing Authority.  Meetings are being held for Project Homeless Connect scheduled for December, 2010. The committee is also involved with the Farmer’s Market that will be starting in July.  The Housing Authority donated $1500 towards the funding of the local market.  Educational and nutritional comments will be driven in the market to emphasize healthy eating (habits).  Information on the Farmer’s Market will be distributed to the Emergency Shelter, Dorothy Day Shelter since most of the clients are recipients to the SNAP benefits and can actually double their benefits(i.e. spend $5.00 in food stamps will allow you actually to spend $10.00)

 

  1. Housing and Community Development Committee: The Committee has updated their site map for housing development.  This map will be used with housing developers for certain available property locations that could suit affordable housing projects. The Committee would also like to coincide all information gathered with developers and provide additional assistance through the Social and Supportive Service Committee.

 

Milena provided information on the NOFA for the Continuum of Care.  Information was supplied regarding the Point in Time shelter count that was conducted on January 23, 2010.  The number of individuals served has decreased, which could be attributed to the numerous services, housing choices (Samuel’s Court and Vet House) and support service/case management assistance.  The numbers being reduced is a tribute to the many services and dedications of staff members in their respective agencies that are at the front lines helping those in need.

 

 

Ms. Sistrunk remarked on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Housing Authority’s award of approximately$1.3M from three different sources of funding.  Ms. Sistrunk also provided information on the various housing projects that are being renovated through many funding sources.  The Housing Authority is working hard to maintain and revitalize many of their owned properties.

 

 

Mr. Nolan updated on the HPRP membership and the old Police Station usage.  Mr. Nolan also has a draft of the updated/revised Ten Year Plan written by Mr. Schierloh.  The draft form is to be reviewed by all Partnership members for comment and resubmitted to Mr. Schierloh for preparation for City Council by the third week of May.  Ms. Sistrunk made a motion to accept the draft form of the Ten Year Plan and submit all comments, remarks, changes in email form to Mr. Paul Schierloh, seconded by M. Morgado, passed unanimously and placed on file.

 

 

There was no old or new business to review.  The next scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 3:00pm, City Hall.  A motion to adjourn was made by M. Nolan, seconded by C. Sistrunk, passed unanimously.