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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1992-01-06 COMMUNITY DEVT. BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD AGENDAi �e A G E N D A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD - COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6, 1992 r.� RE, EIVED I CITY OF LYNWOOU CITY CLERKS OFFICE DEC 211992 AEI PHI 7 1 1 11 1 12 1 11213141516 1 U i 6:00 P.M. LYNWOOD CITY HALL, 11330 BULLIS ROAD ANA VENTURA CHAIRPERSON KEN WIBECAN CONSTANCE FRANKLIN VICE CHAIRPERSON COMMISSIONER MARGARET ARAUJO COMMISSIONER KENNETH ALFORD COMMISSIONER OPENING CEREMONIES: A. CALL TO ORDER B. FLAG SALUTE C. ROLL CALL D. CERTIFICATION OF AGENDA POSTING BY CITY CLERK E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 9, 1992 F. PUBLIC ORALS: (ITEMS ON AGENDA ONLY) G. NEW BUSINESS 1. LOAN REVIEW COMMITTEE (FIVE CASES) CLOSED SESSION H. STAFF ORALS J. ADJOURNMENT CLAUDE LAW COMMISSIONER LAURA BYRD COMMISSIONER Adjourn to regular meeting of February 3, 1993, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Lynwood City Hall, 11330 Bullis Road, Lynwood, California. MINUTES (OA REGULAR MEETING (PUBLICOARING) ° S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD COMMISSION CITY OF LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1992 OPENING CERMONIES: A. Call to Order: The regular meeting of the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board Commission was called to order by Chairperson Ventura, on the above captioned date at 6:08 p.m., in the Council Chambers of Lynwood City Hall, 11330 Bullis Road. B. Flag Salute: The flag salute was led by Commissioner Araujo, all those present participated. C. Roll Call: Commissioner Ventura requested the roll call, and Ms. Clark complied. Present: Chairperson Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Anna Ventura Constance Franklin Margaret Araujo Laura Byrd Ken Wibecan Kenneth Alford Claude Law Also Present: Sol Blumenfeld, Community Dev. Dir. Scott Ehrlich, Housing Manager Annette Clark, HCD Manager Chondra Handley, Minutes Clerk D. Certification of Agenda Posting By City Clerk: Ms. Clark stated that the Agenda was posted per the Brown Act. E. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Commissioner Araujo, SECONDED by Commissioner Alford to approve the minutes of November 4, 1992. MOTION carried unanimously. F. Public Orals: NONE G. New Business: 1. PUBLIC HEARING (COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY CHAS): Mr. Blumenfeld opened the public hearing by explaining the purpose of the CHAS report and the difference between the CHAS Annual Report and One Year Plan. Mr. Blumenfeld then reviewed the contents of each report. Mr. Blumenfeld stated that HUD requires that each jurisdiction prepare a five year Comprehensive Housing Assistance Strategy (CHAS) plan, in addition to an Annual Plan and Performance Reports. Mr. Blumenfeld explained that the CHAS documents had been circulated 60 days for public review and published in the local newspapers. The purpose of this public review period is to receive input which can be incorporated in to the final document. 1 0 0 Mr. Blumenfeld directed the public's attention to the Annual Plan in which he went on to explain that the document focuses on five parts. The first phase describes the development process and a resource list which assisted staff in obtaining information for the report. The second phase is a strategy which describes investment policies, the City's plan for leveraging HUD dollars, targeted groups for receiving assistance. The third phase envolves the Public policies, institutional structures, public housing improvements and public housing residential initiatives. The fourth phase reffers to Certifications reletative to Fair housing and relocation. The final phase is a summary of citizen comments. Mr. Blumenfeld stated that the Annual Plan is a document which updates the City's one year housing activities for FY 1991 -92. This report is in contrast with the Performance Report which provides a status report for FY 1991 -92. Mr. Blumenfeld reviewed the process for developing and approval of the CHAS report which he explained has to travel through many channels. It has to be presented to the Commission, Council and final review by HUD. Mr. Blumenfeld discussed the strategy for implementation methods. He stated that the City has a five year action plan to accomplish various housing activities. These activities are prioritiezed as follows: 1. To provide residential rehabilitation assistance to owner /occupied households, with infices on alleviating overcrowded conditions. 2. To provide rehabilitation assistance to owners of rental properties, occupied by low income tenants. 3. To increase the supply of affordable housing through new construction. 4. To provide rental assistance to low income households, who are over paying for housing. Mr. Blumenfeld explained that the areas to be targeted for assistance are low and moderate income population areas, which are described in the CHAS report. Mr. Blumenfeld stated that most of the funding that is to be used'is generated from the Block Grant funds which are mainly intended to be used for housing assistance activities. Mr. Blumenfeld directed the Public's attention to the city's strategy to utilize funds. He stated that the City has Redevelopment set aside funds, which is a requirement to set aside 20% of the tax increment that is generated for projects to accomodate low and moderate income housing activities, either within the project area or outside, but it must be spent on low /moderate income housing activities. That total is $367,000.00. In addition the City recently submitted a HOME application. This program will provide $569,000 of new construction dollars which can be utilized for rental housing and for sale housing. The state will also match that figure and provide $181,000. These funds will be combined and approximately 1.5 million dollars will be used for low/ moderate income housing activities. Mr. Blumenfeld stated that the City preceived 5 goals, which are stated in the CHAS report, they are as follows: 1. To assist 20 household with rehaibiltation funds. 2. To continue rental assistance for lower income households. 3 To allocate $1,404,000 to address housing needs. He also stated that Lynwood is envolved in referral services such as Senior citizen Programs, Hot meals programs, shared housing serivices, in -home supportative services. These services are 2 0 0 1 not provided by the City of Lynwood, but ,are provided by agencies such as L.A. County AFDC Program, Minority Aids Project, Adult Protective Services, etc. Mr. Blumenfeld proceeded to explain the Performance Report. He stated that the Performance Report -is a discription on the City's housing activities for last Fiscal Year. the City has allocated $400,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds to Rehabilitation programs. However, this program has not produced as anticipated due to the economy, which is believed to have a high impact on the production of the loan program. In addition the Community Development Department has not had sufficient staff to properly market the program. Mr. Blumenfelf then opened the hearing for Public comment. Commissioner Law asked how would new housing be constructed, when there is only a limited amount of land to be used. He also stated that the Commission has stated in previous meetings their concerns over the Section 8 voucher system. The current system allows residents of other cities to become residents and people who live in Lynwood are not assisted due to the number of vouchers and the number of participants. Commissioner Wibecan stated that he shared some of Commissioner Law's concerns, in addition, Commissioner Wibencan asked a question regarding City property on Page 6 of the Annual Plan, if this information was based on current vacant land and did the City intend to construct on these properties. Mr. Blumenfeld said that the list was of all City and Agency owned property and that staff was looking at these properties as a potential resource that the City can use to build housing which is why the list is shown in the CHAS. Commissioner Wibecan then questioned the cost of the properties listed. Mr. Blumenfeld said that cost listed did not reflect that actual cost price and that maybe the list should be excluded from the CHAS because it did not include property improvements. Commissioner Wibecan questioned the resource lists on Page 2 and 3, that several people on the list only had a first name, he wanted to know if it was because staff did not know who the people were, were they real preople? Mr. Blumenfeld answered that it was an oversite and that the last names would be added. Commissioner Byrd said that she had some of the same concerns regarding the CHAS. One in particular with the contract the City has with the L.A. County Housing Authority and wanted to know how the voucher system worked, if the City's vouchers were placed into a pool with other residents in L.A. Mr. Blumenfeld answered yes. Commissioner Byrd asked if that was the best way. Mr. Blumenfeld said that the city does not have control over the program, although the City does participate. Ms. Clark explained that the only other alternative was for the City to operate its own program and in the past the city had decided not to implement its own program because it was not cost effective, due to the fact that L.A. County does not charge a fee to operate the City's program, however the staff is in the process of again reviewing decision.and looking at the cost involving operating its own Section 8 Program. Ms. Clark informed the Commission that L.A. County does not charge a fee to implement the city's Section 8 Program. Commissioner Araujo expressed her dissatisfaction of the County Section 8 program also. She stated that the vouchers being given through Section 8 are from other cities, although families who live in Lynwood are forced to live with other people because they are not receiving assistance. J Commissioner Araujo referred to page 20 of the annual plan, she 'asked if the areas pointed out are being considered for redevelopment. Mr. Blumenfeld replied that the map does not refer to potential development sites. He said that these areas are targeted areas, which are eligible areas for HUD funding. Assistance will be provided to these areas through HUD funding, but redevelopment is not exclusive to these areas. Commissioner Araujo stated that these areas contain vacant lots, but there are also apartments in these areas. She suggested that the City make a comparison to other cities to see how they proceeded to achieve this goal of providing low income housing, and senior citizen housing. Commissioner Araujo stated that the residents of the mental ill facilities of Lynwood are left to wander around and people considers those residents to be homeless. She said that if these programs can receive assistance from HUD, then this should be considered to provide activities for those residents to aleviate this problem. Ms. Araujo suggested that the City take under consideration when constructing appartments that the style be pleasing and and have someone manage the property , who will assist in the upkeep of the property. Commissioner Araujo suggested that a housing task force be considered and consist of community members who can provide suggestions on the proposed housing construction. Commissioner Franklin referred to the Performance Report. She asked if the ethnic codes stated in a chart on page 1 could be explained as to what race the codes represent. Mr. Blumenfeld replied that he would remit an explination on the ethnic codes. Commissioner Alford stated that he too was concerned about the Section 8 voucher system, and his concerns were addressed. He also stated that the City should develop a program which verifies if the vouchers are given to Lynwood residents, and provide vouchers to homeless residents. Mr. Blumenfeld replied that funds could be directed to develop shelters or directed to existing shelters in others cities to assist the homeless. Commissioner Araujo asked what is the purpose for the funds being set aside for Redevelopment. Mr. Blumenfeld replied that it is a State requirement to set aside 208 of the tax increment that is generated in the Redevelopment project areas for low /moderate housing production. Commissioner Araujo asked if these funds would be used or would funds continue to grow and collect interest. Mr. Blumenfeld stated that the State required the all Local jurisdictions allocate the set aside money. Mr. Ehrlich stated that the set aside funds must be used, according to a new legislature, within a period of 5 years or will be lost. Commissioner Ventura asked who is the rebuild Lynwood Coilition headed by and what is the purpose. Mr. Blumenfeld stated that the City Manager is proposing a committee to deal with the issues of new housing construction and this committee would participate in matters dealing with this issue. 4 0 0 Commissioner Ventura asked when would the in home services be implemented. Mr. Blumenfeld replied that this is a County program which is currently in existance. Commissioner Ventura asked if information being distrubuted to the public being done in English and Spanish. Mr. Blumenfeld replied no. Commissioner araujo suggessted that the Redevelopment set aside funds be used to hire a bi- lingual staff person. Commissioner Araujo agreed and stated that the majority of the homeowners in Lynwood are Spanish speaking. Therefore, information going out to the community should be English and Spanish. Mr. Ehrlich, Housing Manager introduced himself to the public and proceeded to address their concerns. He stated that in the past he assisted several cities with constructing affordable housing, which is a major concern for the City of Lynwood. He stated that his objective is to assist the City with the Rehabilitation Program and to help ensure the continued process of receiving futher funds. Mr. Ehrlich stated that the County Housing Authority does have a program (Site Specific Sections) which issues vouchers for specific cities attached to certain properties. Subsady is provided for the owner of the Building for that participant receiving Section 8 assistance. He stated that it would be very difficut for the City to handle the Section 8 program with very limited staff and limited finances. Mr. Ehrlich said he was informed he has began to work on, such as, townhomes. Mr. Blumenfeld added taken from property owners, but which can be developed, but some to purchase the property. of certain priorities which single family dwellings or that property would not be there are other properties may provide the opportunity Mr. Ehrlich stated that the City has funds to provide housing. These resources have to be combined with HUD and private development to produce housing and senior citizen housing. There being no objections to the information obtained in the CHAS documents, no further comments by the public or the Commission, the hearing was closed at 8:15 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned to the next regularly scheduled meeting of January 6, 1992. Chairperson Annette Clar, HCD Manager 5