1.17.17 Meeting NotesCity of Wilmington /New Hanover County
Workforce /Affordable Housing Ad hoc Committee
January 17, 2017
Meeting Notes
Present: Robert Rosenberg, Steve Spain, Dave Spetrino, Jody Wainio, Will Bland, Katrina Redmon,
Katrina Knight, Gloria Green
Staff — Suzanne Rogers, City of Wilmington; Jennifer Rigby, New Hanover County (NHC)
Julia Moeller, NCH; Rebekah Roth, NHC
Absent: Elizabeth Dodson, Linda Smith, Paul D'Angleo, Phil Humphrey, Tilghman Herring
Resigned: David Barnes, Carlos Braxton
Jody Waino, Chair, called the meeting to order and welcomed all.
Jody referred the group to the meeting notes distributed from the last meeting. She initiated discussion
on two items from the past meeting 1) Establishing a Permanent Affordable /Workforce Housing
Advisory Group, and 2) Hiring a Consultant to Prepare a Housing Study for NHC.
Discussion Topic: Should a Permanent Advisory Committee on Affordable /Workforce Housing be formed?
What will this committee be responsible for? Who should serve on the advisory committee?
The Permanent Advisory Committee on Affordable /Workforce Housing will be responsible for overseeing
the implementation of recommendations of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Affordable /Workforce
Housing. The Advisory Committee will advise City Council and County Commission on
Affordable /Workforce Housing strategies and policies that impact the production, preservation, and
access to affordable /workforce housing. Members of the Affordable /Workforce Housing Advisory
Committee should represent diverse stakeholders concerned with affordable /workforce housing and
related economic and community development issues including, but not limited to, jobs creation and
wage growth, integration, public safety, school proficiency, transit oriented development and access,
taxes, fees, and land use policy.
In addition to the Advisory Committee, a staff position is recommended to support the efforts of the
committee and others in fostering awareness of affordable /workforce housing and facilitating
collaborations among stakeholders, policy makers and others interested in increasing
affordable /workforce housing available in our community.
The staff position should be funded by New Hanover County and City of Wilmington, but employed by
another organization that supports community development and housing initiatives. Examples of suitable
organizations to host the Affordable /Workforce Housing Staff position are United Way of the Cape Fear
or Cape Fear Council of Government. The staff member would report to the Advisory Board and be
responsible for assisting the Board in implementing the Ad hoc Committee recommendations.
The Permanent Affordable /Workforce Housing Advisory Committee should include representatives from
the following organizations and stakeholder groups:
1- City Council Member
1- NHC Commission Member
2- Representatives from Major Employers with a workforce that includes persons with wages 60% -120%
AMI — NHRMC, UNCW staff, Verizon, etc. Representatives should be able to get time off for meetings if
needed, HR /Benefit staff may be appropriate.
1- Homebuilders Association Representative
1- Cape Fear REALTORS Association Representative
2- Cape Fear Housing Coalition Chair and 1 additional representative selected by CFHC
1— Member from City of Wilmington Loan Review Board
1- Affordable Housing Developer example non - profit or LIHTC developer
1— For Profit Market Rate Housing Developer — Multifamily
1- Economic Development expert — example Chamber of Commerce
1— Banker — Executive level mortgage banker or CRA banker
2- At -Large Representatives that reflects the geographic diversity of NHC
Other considerations:
• Add a State Legislator and 1 more At -Large for a total of 17 members;
• The group should reflect the community - race, gender, and neighborhoods and communities in
urban, suburban, and exurban /rural areas of NHC; and
• Determine amount for salary for the staff person and associated costs by researching similar
models, such as Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and Continuum of Care.
Discussion Topic: Should a consultant be hired to conduct an in -depth Affordable /Workforce Housing
demand and supply analysis? Should the Ad -hoc Committee wait for the results of this study to make
recommendations to City Council and County Commission? Is there sufficient data to make
recommendations before the study is completed?
There is sufficient data to validate the demand /need for affordable /workforce housing, as demonstrated
by the following indicators for NHC: 32,000 households experiencing cost burden and 35,000 (41 %)
households earning below 80% area median income (AMI). Additionally, a look at supply indicators reveal
the following: since 2013 over 7,500 new rental units are under construction or completed, 95.4 %, rental
occupancy rate, $954 average rent, $1,229 new apartments, up by 4.2 %,. MLS data for single - family
residential listing point to a limited supply of units in the $75,000 - $225,000 range with a 2 month
absorption rate. See attached PowerPoint.
A study will provide a more detailed analysis of market dynamics influencing housing and pinpoint gaps
in supply. Further, it will offer a better understanding of the housing and economic conditions impacting
production, preservation and availability of affordable housing so that strategies can be formulated to
have the greatest impact in providing equitable access to affordable housing throughout the community.
While a study is recommended, work to implement the recommendations of the Ad hoc
Affordable /Workforce Committee should not be held up while the study is underway.
Prepared by SE Rogers
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2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Median Household Income
Median Gross Rent
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Median Housing Costs
— Median Owner Costs w/ a Mortgage
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