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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-25-91 Human Resources & Economic Development flnmmtttrr rpnrI Human Resources and Economic Development Committee Mu tilt glom= Omura of tip Qlttg of 1304 Et a: Council Member Steve Luecke, Chairperson of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee noted that a quorum of the Committee was not present for the July 25, 1991 meeting. An informal session began at 4: 05 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council members Ladewski and Luecke; David Roos, Larry Magliozzi, Tana Peterson, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Mr. David Roos introduced Mr. Larry Magliozzi who worked on the St. Joseph Area Plan Staff from 1979 through 1987, then worked in Illnois, and is coming back from working in the Land Use Management Department of Fort Wayne. Tana Peterson was also introduced who comes here from Souix Falls, South Dakota. She is a 1985 graduate of South Dakota State University and had substantial planning activity for communities in South Dakota specifically working in Federal and State Grant Administrations. Mr. David Roos then gave an overview on the new programs and laws. He noted that the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 made substantial changes with past Federal Laws. South Bend is a CDBG entitlement City. Therefore it must go through a new program called Comprehensive Housing Assistance Strategy (CHAS) . CHAS calls for a five year strategy with yearly updates. It replaces the Housing Assistance Plan (HAP) which was a three year plan with annual updates. It also replaces the Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan (CHAP) . Mr. Roos noted that the new requirements will require the City to utilize census data as it becomes available. Such data received from HUD will be analyzed and utilized on an ongoing basis. He noted that section 202 Elderly Housing must have certification showing that it is consistent with CHAS. CHAS requires ongoing educational programs for the general public. He noted that he wants the City Council to be in on the ground floor of this new Federal Program. Mr. Roos noted that there are new "pots of money" to be created by Congress. The first is the "home money" which is based on an entitlement basis. Other monies are targeted for Public Housing Authorities and not for Profit groups such as HOPE 1, 2, and 3 . Monies available for housing authorities anticipate purchase, renting, and job training. CfHAS is structured into fifteen sub parts with five of those being of major concern. Mr. Roos then highlighted the major component parts of CHAS. He noted that the summary and statement of needs is very important. These are needs perceived by the City. The second is a survey on market inventory of the actual housing stock and population within the community. The third is a five year strategy specifically prioritized. He noted that each time a program seeks certification the five year strategy will be checked to make sure that it was a priority within the plan. The fourth major area is the one year plan which anticipates identifying what are the available Federal sources and what the City reasonably expects to receive. The fifth major component part is the actual implementation plan. Mr. Roos noted that Congress is still debating on the actual monies which will be dedicated to this program. Comprehensive Housing Plans are being encouraged as well as consortiums of jurisdictions. He noted that six weeks ago discussions began with the City of Mishawaka and St. Joseph County on a "consolidated CHAS". It requires a lead entity which would require both the City of Mishawaka and St. Joseph County to agree to have the City of South Bend designated as the lead entity. The State of Indiana would administer small city home monies similar to the CDBG monies. Currently 750, 000 minimum thresholds must be met. $878, 000.00 of home money for the City could become available if two billion dollars appropriated by Congress and if all other criteriaum are met. If only five hundred million dollars is appropriated, South Bend would then have to go down state like others to compete for such money. August 1 is the deadline for letters of intent from the Mayor to HUD regarding the Home Consortium. He further noted that an intergovernmental agreement passed by all entities (Mishawaka, South Bend, and St. Joseph County) is required. Jenny Pitts Manier of the City Legal Department is currently working on the draft and it must be acted upon during the month of August. Such an agreement would require that no individual community have veto power and a minimum of a three year period for participation. Council Member Luecke questioned whether the City would receive compensation for staff services. Mr. Roos noted that home monies cannot be used for administration or overhead expenses. Home monies also require a local match. Accordingly the Federal Government is giving every community a seven percent credit for a match to be used for administration and overhead. He also noted that one document with three different layers addressing South Bend, Mishawaka, and St. Joseph County would be incorporated. Council Member Ladewski questioned when the program would be in effect. Mr. Roos noted that the final CHAS is required by October 31. HUD will then have a maximum of 60 days to approve such monies. If money is appropriated by Congress, the program can be in effect by January 1, 1992. Council Member Ladewski questioned the status of the Housing Allowance program. Mr. Roos noted that Hollis Hughes is currently wearing two hats, one as Executive Director of the County Public Housing Group and the other with the Housing Assistance Office. He noted that there would be no duplication of efforts. It was noted that first reading on the resolution would take place on Monday, August 12 with public hearing and adoption at the meeting on August 26. Mr. Roos noted that he would be available for questions or individual meetings with Council Members to discuss this plan in further detail. The informal session of the Human Resources and Economic development Committee ended at 4:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Council Member Steve Luecke, Chairperson Human Resources and Economic Development Committee.