Agenda & Minutes
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Housing Advisory Commission (View All)
Housing Advisory Commission Agenda & Minutes
Minutes
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
From Public Hearing June 12, 2019
10. Roll CallThe regular meeting of the Medford Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) was called to order at 12:00 p.m. in Room 151 of the Lausmann Annex on the above date with the following members and staff in attendance:
Commissioners Present
Jason Elzy
Randell Embertson
Steven Erb
Debra Lee
Commissioners Absent
Jeffrey Bender
Denise James
Randy Jones
Adam Rutledge
Paul Tanner
Staff Present
Angela Durant, Staff Liaison
Matt Brinkley, Planning Director
Clay Bearnson, City Council Liaison
Madison Simmons, Legal Department
Cinthya Perezchica, Planning Department
Guests Present
John Michaels, former City Councilmember
Josh Lombard, Department of Land Conservation & Development (DLCD)
20. Approval of Minutes
Minutes tabled to next meeting.
30. Public Comments
Former City Councilmember John Michaels suggested a limited timeframe for responses to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) to encourage applicants to submit their application sooner. He also suggested that the commission advertise the RFP to receive a wider range of responses.
40. Old Business
a) CDBG 2019/20 Action Plan Update
The 2019/20 City of Medford Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was adopted by City Council on June 6, 2019; it was thereafter submitted to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on June 10, 2019. Funding is anticipated to be released between September-October 2019. The City was awarded $715,527 in CDBG funding for 2019/20. The Community Development Block Grants Commission (CDGC) reviewed a total of 18 applications.
Staff liaison Angela Durant reported that the City anticipates serving several vulnerable subpopulations in the coming year through the CDBG program, including: 1500 homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, youth and families with shelter and support services; 850 individuals with mental illness and disabilities; 35 young adults through receiving vocational training; 30 homeless adults through receiving job skills training; 50 individuals recovering from addiction with transitional housing; 18 homeowners with emergency repairs to preserve housing; 20 individuals with ADA-accessible ramps increase accessibility within their homes; and 60 households with rental assistance.
Other actions discussed in the annual Action Plan included: increasing development of affordable housing through the HAC, implementing Council-approved goals and actions recommended in the Homeless System Action Plan, potentially submitting an application for the HUD Lead-based Paint Hazard Control grant, and updating the City’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan.
b) Housing Opportunity Fund Request for Proposals
Mrs. Durant reviewed the proposed timeline for HOF funding with the commission. She also requested feedback regarding the RFP process.
Mrs. Durant requested the review of the following funding resource consideration for the HOF:
Resource consideration for the HOF – Investing $1 million
- 2019 Program Year Funding $400,000
- 2020 Program Year Funding $250,000
- Loan Payback Reserve $250,000
- Economic Downturn Reserve $100,000
A second consideration reviewed allocating up to $100,000 to establish an ADU development program that could provide open year-round available funding for a variety of construction and rehabilitation costs associated with ADUs. Projects could be capped at $10,000 to ensure production of a minimum of 10 units during the program year. This effort could be further strengthened by community outreach to help educate the public and homeowners about ADUs.
Justin Lombard from the Department of Land Conservation & Development (DLCD) said that there is a company in Portland named Dwell that builds pre-fabricated ADUs, placing these on properties with the option to purchase or lease the ADUs. Dwell is currently looking into expanding into other cities.
Motion: Move to approve the 2019 RFP, Application, and Evaluation Forms as submitted.
Motion passes: voice vote, none opposed.
50. New Business
a) Oregon Housing and Community Services - Kim Travis, Housing Integrator and Angela Prada, Program Capacity Analyst
Housing Integrator for Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Kim Travis works statewide with regional solution teams on issues concerning: land use, business development, transportation, environmental quality, and housing.
Ms. Travis provided commissioners and guests with Oregon’s Statewide Housing Plan and reviewed OHCS’ key priorities and programs. OHCS administers programs through partnerships that address the following key priorities: homelessness; equity and racial justice; permanent supportive housing; affordable rental housing; homeownership; and rural communities.
Ms. Travis discussed the different programs OHCS offers and provided the 2019 funding calendar.
Executive Director of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency (MURA) Harry Weiss asked if there were any outreach programs for workforce employee housing. Ms. Travis said that HB 2055 is used to create funds for workforce housing. A pilot program was created and received five applications throughout the state. In Lincoln County, there is a program for homeownership program using a land trust model that partners with the school district to assist up to eight homeowners. In Tillamook County, The Pelican Brew Pub partners with OHCS to build six units for their employees and release six additional units to other employers in need of housing. Jefferson County School District has housing on the reservation for teachers working in the Academy. The City of Donald is in a partnership with GK Machine to build 400 workforce housing units.
60. Remarks from Council Liaison
None
70. Remarks from Commissioners
None
80. Remarks from Commission Chair
None
90. Remarks from Staff Liaisons
Planning Director Matthew Brinkley announced that the Planning Department would be raising their land use permit fees.
Ms. Durant asked the Commissioners if they would like to have a joint study session with the Community Development Block Grant Commission (CDGC) regarding the goals and actions presented in the Homeless System Action Plan (HSAP); commissioners agreed to hold a joint study session.
100. Adjourned
Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
