HomeMy Public PortalAboutAfford Hsg Trust Fund 2019-04-03 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board
April 3, 2019
ORLEANS AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND BOARD Sy
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A meeting of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board was held on April 3, 2019 in the
Skaket Meeting Room of the Orleans Town Hall. Present were Chair Alan McClennen,
members Henry Brehm, Duane Landreth, Greg DeLory, and Community Development
Director George Meservey.
All documents discussed at this meeting are filed with the permanent records of the
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board.
Mr. McClennen called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
Minutes to be a roved: March 6 2019
The number of units in the Cape Cod Village project was corrected from fifteen to sixteen.
On a motion by Mr. Landreth seconded by Mr. Brehm, the Board voted to approve the
minutes of the March 6 meeting as amended. The vote was 3-0-1, with Mr. DeLory
abstaining.
Status of 18 West Road Housin Unit
Mr. Meservey reported that a qualified buyer had been found, and noted that Orleans
Affordable Housing Trust funding had not been required because Housing Assistance
Corporation (HAC) had found the buyer.
Discussion of ossible line of credit
Mr. McClennen outlined the benefits of establishing credit on the basis of the trust fund's
annual funding by Town Meeting. Town Counsel has recommended that this be
implemented through a Request for Proposals process. Mr. McClennen also referred to
the Community Preservation Committee's recommendations to fund new open space
acquisitions through bonding, and suggested that the CPC's affordable housing projects
could be similarly funded, subject to approval by Town Meeting.
On a motion by Mr. Brehm seconded by Mr. DeLory, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
• Board voted to explore the feasibility of obtaining a line of credit. The vote was 4-0-0.
Review Housin: Trust Fund section of the Communit Preservation Plan
The Board had no edits to the Housing Trust Fund section of the Community Preservation
Plan. The final plan will be posted on the CPC page of the Town Website.
Mr. Ghory joined the meeting.
Mr. McClennen referred to the email from Mr. Brehm dated March 31, which provided
discussion points based on the conversations of the previous meeting. The Board briefly
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Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board April 3, 2019
discussed several of the topics, and Mr. McClennen noted that these were applicable to
the joint meeting with the Affordable Housing Committee.
Joint Meeting with the Affordable Housing Committee
Chair Katie Wibby called the Affordable Housing Committee to order at 4:30 p.m. Present
were Ms. Wibby, members Fran McClennen, Tom Johnson, Nancy Renn, Bill Stoeckert,
Shelley Dawson, and Board of Selectmen Liasion Mefford Runyon.
Ms. Wibby called the meeting of the Affordable Housing Committee to order at 4:30 p.m.
Ms. Mathison and Mr. Cole of the Trust Fund Board joined the meeting.
a. Goals and priorities
Ms. Wibby reported that the Committee had discussed coordination between the two
groups at their last meeting, as well as the three goals put forth at the last joint
meeting. The Board and Committee members discussed the different populations to
be served, including those who might not qualify under the usual affordable housing
formulas. Mr. Brehm noted that this would require a strategic approach, and Mr.
McClennen proposed that a future meeting include defining the goals and options to
achieve these goals.
b. Housing opportunities update
Cape Cod Five Operations Center
Mr. Meservey summarized a presentation to the Affordable Housing Committee by the
consultants for the Cape Cod Five project. The final number and configuration of units
will depend on community needs, as well as what is feasible on the site, and be based
on input from the Committee. An additional agreement with the bank will be pursued
after the completion of the consultant's study. The Board and Committee proceeded
to discuss infrastructure, regulatory and financing issues, and Ms. Wibby invited the
Trust Fund members to their meeting on May 1 to hear from the architects.
Old Tavern Motel
Mr; Meservey reported that a buyer has already begun negotiations for the property.
He has approached Ted Malone of Community Housing Resources, Inc., a local
affordable housing developer, to provide advisory services on an hourly basis. In
response to a question from Mr.Ghory, Mr. Meservey advised that a bid process would
not be necessary due to the relatively low cost of the anticipated services.
85 Bakers Pond Road
This 2.9-acre property is currently off the market, but should continue to be looked at,
since it is adjacent to Town-owned property and could therefore accommodate more
housing than what would be possible for a private buyer.
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Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board April 3, 2019
Habitat for Humanity
16 Old Timer's Lane: Habitat is interested in this type of single-family property. To
construct three bedrooms, a variance from the Board of Health would be necessary.
Ms. Wibby noted that the Affordable Housing Committee recommends purchase of
this property to transfer to Habitat. Mr. Ghory suggested that a detailed proposal be
reviewed prior to the Board's voting to approve the purchase.
On a motion by Mr. Landreth seconded by Ms. Mathison, the Affordable Housing
Trust Fund Board voted to authorize Mr. Meservey to contact Habitat for Humanity
for the purpose of coming to an agreement by which the Affordable Housing Trust
would purchase the property at 16 Old Timer's Lane and Habitat would build a house
on the property. The vote was 7-0-0.
Mr. Meservey suggested that if they wish to proceed, Habitat could put together a
proposal for the Board's review. In response to a question by Mr. Cole, Mr. McClennen
noted that a meeting could be held within 48 hours after receiving the proposal.
e. Coordination of activities (taken out of order)
Ms. Wibby reviewed the Affordable Housing Committee's discussion of the respective
roles of the Committee and Board. The Committee would research and recommend
housing opportunities; the Trust Fund Board would evaluate and decide whether and
how to fund these opportunities. She stated that they saw fundraising as a function
of the Trust, while education and outreach was a function of the Committee.
Ms. McClennen stated that these functions were not mutually exclusive and all
communications should go through Mr. Meservey for initial review. Mr. Landreth
noted that the respective roles might change in the future, and Mr. Ghory remarked
that education and fundraising must go together. Ms. McClennen suggested that the
functions outlined would be guidelines. Meeting schedules were discussed, and it was
agreed that minutes and agendas should be shared.
c. Discussion of property tax distressed properties
Mr. Meservey described the tax taking process in Orleans. There are very few
appropriate properties at this time.
d. Mailing list of seasonal homes valued under$500,000
Mr. Meservey referred to a list of 536 properties that meet the criteria. He suggested
using a direct mail company if the Board decided to contact the owners regarding year-
round rentals. The Board discussed possible collaboration with HAC's "Cape 365"
rental program. Ms. Mathison expressed the frustration of younger residents looking
for housing who see houses standing empty for most of the year. The Board discussed
how to target the outreach efforts, including the types of seasonal housing to focus on
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Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board April 3, 2019
and related educational opportunities. Mr. McClennen asked Mr. Meservey to provide
additional information about the HAC program, and also to see if it were possible to
cross-tabulate beach sticker sales with the list of seasonal properties to determine
occupancy. Ms. Mathison referred to her participation in HAC's ad campaign about
workforce housing needs.
The next meeting will be May 1, which includes meeting with the architects at 4:30.
Adiourn
On a motion by Mr.Ghory seconded by Ms.Mathison,the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Board voted to adjourn at 6:10 p.m. The vote was 7-0-0.
On a motion by Ms. McClennen seconded by Ms. Renn, the Affordable Housing
Committee voted to adjourn at 6:10 p.m. The vote was 6-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Myra Suchenicz
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