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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-01 MinutesNEW HANOVER COUNTY-CITY OF WILMINGTON WORKFORCE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 1, 2023 | REGULAR MEETING Committee Members Present: Sharm Brantley, Liz Carbone, Tom Gale, Michelle Jarman, Krysti Keser, Katrina Redmon, Frank Smith, Paul Stavovy, Edwrin Sutton NHC Staff Present: Tufanna Bradley, Katie Burket, Rachel LaCoe, Jennifer Rigby, Rebekah Roth, Theo McClammy City of Wilmington Staff Present: Abie Bonevac, Chianti Johnson, Suzanne Rogers Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:04PM by Chairperson Sharm Brantley and a quorum was established. Agenda Approval and Minutes Ms. Krysti Keser made a motion to approve the meeting agenda, seconded by Ms. Katrina Redmon and adopted unanimously. Ms. Liz Carbone made a motion to adopt the February 1st draft minutes, seconded by Ms. Keser and adopted unanimously. Public Comments None. Introduction of newly appointed city representing committee member; Michelle Jarman. Old Business Annual Report: Final Comment Stage NHC staff presented where the annual report is now, finalizing recommendations and overall edits. Looking for feedback from the committee. A revised version will be sent to the committee to review. New Business Introduction of newly appointed city representing committee member; Ms. Michelle Jarman. Annual Report: Presentation Discussion The committee will present the same 10-minute presentation to both City and County. Creation of a Dedicated LIHTC Fund • We are recommending this as a city/county effort. Presenter shall prepare answers about source or origination and the impact of placement with these funds. • In a previous discussion the group suggested opening the alternative funding to not be limited to LIHTC projects, but instead a “creation of a dedicated housing fund.” 2 • Emphasis on supporting the financial “gap” when it comes to the close margins of affordable or workforce housing. Policy Changes • Ensure “Programs, Laws, Policy, and Regulations” key terms are all included. Maximize/Incentivize the Production and Preservation of a Diversity of Housing Options • Rephrase this recommendation to clearly read as such, rather than an informative paragraph. • Clarify “the ask,” and highlight that difference from the other recommendations. • This section should be more about policy change and less about financial incentives. • Include examples such as water/sewer, business parks, etc., to be added by committee. Replacement of American Rescue Plan Act Funds • Add examples, ARPA, CARES, Disaster Relief Funds. • Add two columns in table “households served” and “units created.” Add total costs to the chart in a final column. Specify what NOAH units are, as affordable rental rehabilitation. Add text demonstrating the examples are just a snapshot of a whole. Address cost of living crisis. Add the expiration date of these programs. • Question that may come up is how many of the recipients of this money and these programs were directly affected by COVID or crisis situations. Why we are asking for funds “post crisis.” • Data sources: NC Housing Coalition, Eviction Lab, updated Bowen Study. • In order to make this recommendation more specific, it needs to be prioritized. • Committee to provide examples of other communities that have committed this type of continued funding as examples. • Eviction prevention number should be almost doubled- NC Housing Coalition has accurate eviction data. • Would it benefit the presentation to state how many applications received in 2022 were not served by the programs, but were eligible? Issues with that: if applicants were not eligible or unqualified and the data to differentiate between those two possibilities does not exist. Expand Financial Counseling Programs • Change the wording to include all Housing Authority programs. • Tie in the County’s HHS health assessment strategy. • Change title to, “Expand Housing Counseling and Financial Literacy Programs.” Staff will continue to refine and practice presentation. Still expected to present at the April 17th and 18th meetings. 3 Staff Updates City – 7th of March there will be a public hearing on the HOME ARP (?) plan that the city is recommending - $2.5 to supportive housing services. Planning is continuing to look at the change in ADU perspective needed – typically get public comments working against these topics. HOP program has officially begun (grab details). County – Looking forward to updating the RFP process for the spring, proposing to invite 2-3 committee members to the staff review of the proposals rather than a separate subcommittee. Community Health Assessment released, housing named top priority, we will be working with HHS on some of the implementation to come from that, will also help inform the county’s strategic plan. Community survey launched, open through March 6, will inform the new strategic plan, about 1700 responses so far. Announcements Public Forum on Saturday March 4th at 2pm, Liz is one of four panelists. CFHC breakfast will be March 23rd at 8am, author of “Affordable City,” Shane Phillips is the keynote speaker, and NCHC president, Samuel Gunter will speak. The County will host a roundtable session after the breakfast with Shane, 11-1pm. Adjourn Mr. Tom Gale made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Paul Stavovy. The meeting was adjourned at 4:39PM.