HomeMy Public PortalAboutBHP Packet Oct 2020Town of Brewster
Housing Partnership
2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
Housingmeeting@brewster-ma.gov
(508) 896-3701
MEETING AGENDA
Remote Participation Only
10/29/20 at 6:30 PM
This meeting will be conducted by remote participation pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 2020
orders suspending certain Open Meeting Law provisions and imposing limits on public gatherings. No
in-person meeting attendance will be permitted. If the Town is unable to live broadcast this meeting,
a record of the proceedings will be provided on the Town website as soon as possible. The Town has
established specific email addresses for each board and committee so the public can submit
comments either before or during the meeting. To submit public comment or questions to the Housing
Partnership please email: housingmeeting @brewster-ma.gov. To view the:
Live broadcast: Tune to Brewster Government TV Channel 18
Livestream: Go to www.livestream.brewster-ma.gov
Audio/video recording: Go to www.tv.brewster-ma.gov
To submit public comments or questions before or during the meeting email:
housingmeeting@brewster-ma.gov
Housing
Partnership
Ralph Marotti
Chair
Vanessa Greene
Secretary
Donna Kalinick
Asst. Town
Administrator
Jill Scalise
Housing
Coordinator
1.Call to Order
2.Declaration of a Quorum
3.Meeting Participation Statement
4.Updates – Brewster Woods, Millstone, Wingate, and Eastward
5.Brewster Housing Coordinator Report
6.Standing Committee Updates
a. Affordable Housing Trust
b. CPC – referral of Housing Applications.
7.Local Preference Interest
8.For Your Information
9.Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
10.Next Meetings: November 23, 2020 – 6:30 PM and December 23, 2020 – 6:30
PM
11.Adjournment
Date Posted:Date Revised:Received by Town Clerk:
10/26/20
Brewster Housing Coordinator Update September 2020
Jill Scalise
Ongoing Activities/ Projects
1.Community Outreach and Education (Housing Production Plan (HPP) Strategy #13)
Responded to email, phone and in person requests for information and assistance. 62 total requests for
housing information/comment (50) or assistance (12). Town offices are open to the public on Tuesdays &
Thursdays. Housing Coordinator available at Town Hall Thursdays from 9AM- noon.
2.Millstone Parcel (Select Board Strategic Plan Goal H-3, HPP Strategy #15)
Mass Housing Partnership (MHP) and Bohler Engineering presented feasibility study, including master
concept plan, at the Housing Trust Meeting.
Shared comments about the proposed development with Housing Trust as well as compiled main points.
Working Group meeting held. Staff met with Ocean Edge management and Howland Assoc. presidents.
3.Brewster Affordable Housing Trust Fund (BAHT) (HPP Strategy #7)
Continued work on Millstone property, Rental Assistance Program and SHI. Information throughout update.
Joint meeting held with Community Preservation Comm. (CPC) about programs, funding & collaboration.
4.Brewster Rental Assistance Program (B-RAP)/ COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Rental Assistance Program began. Communicated with Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) about
program implementation, flyer creation and outreach. Sent outreach. Created Fact Sheet about program.
5.Brewster Housing Partnership (BHP)
Exploring community outreach and education roles, planning to have presentation on Local Preference.
6.Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) (HPP Strategy #10)
Further consultation with legal counsel regarding several properties.
Follow-up on buy down property affordable deed restriction.
7.Redevelop Existing Properties for Affordable Housing (HPP Strategy #6)
Elevation Financial/ Wingate: Elevation presented to Housing Trust about proposed re-development of 837
Harwich Road. Follow-up with Elevation on SHI and Local Action Unit (LAU) process. Offered comments
for ZBA & Planning Board. ZBA Hearing for Use Variance continued to October.
8.Comprehensive Permit Projects (HPP Strategy #14)
Brewster Woods (30 affordable rental units): Ongoing work with Preservation of Affordable Housing
(POAH) and MHP on affordable deed restriction. Donna Kalinick prepared bid documents for MassWorks
infrastructure work and met with Housing Authority and Wells Court about upcoming development.
Habitat for Humanity, 7 homes on Paul Hush Way expect to be completed in November 2020. Zoom call
and site visit to Red Top Road regarding potential build of two homes.
9.Collaboration (HPP Strategy #9)
With Ryan Bennett, Donna Kalanick and Chris Miller, participated in HAC and Association to Preserve
Cape Cod (APCC) mapping project for housing and conservation.
New Projects/ Upcoming Activities
Rental Assistance Program for Brewster residents, including emergency COVID rental assistance,
administered by HAC is now accepting applications. Additional rental assistance funds from HOME
Consortium can also be accessed via HAC: www.haconcapecod.org/programs/homeless-prevention
Brewster Covid-19 Relief fund now accepting applications:www.brewster-ma.gov/files/covidreliefapp.pdf
Personnel
Worked with: Assessor, Building, CPC, Conservation, Health, Housing Partnership, Housing Trust,
Planning, Public Works, Town Administration, Water Dept. and ZBA.
Participated in Zoom calls on: Making the Case for Affordable Housing, Building Community Support, MA
Rental Assistance Programs and MA COVID Housing Update.
Following the approval by Town Meeting, Housing Coordinator position is now 25 hours per week.
FACT SHEET
Brewster Rental Assistance Program including COVID Emergency Rental Assistance
Goal: To provide economic assistance for affordable rental housing with social support services to bridge
households and assist them in accessing and maintaining market, and affordable, long term housing options.
Additionally, to support COVID impacted households in maintaining housing.
Funding Source: Created by the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust, rental assistance is supported by the
residents of Brewster through a grant of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds.
Requirements for ongoing Rental Assistance Program
Must be a Brewster resident or employee or have a child in Brewster public elementary schools.
Household income must be below, or at, 80% AMI and paying over 30% of income on rent.
Rental unit must be located in Brewster, be a legal rental unit, and have a written lease.
Monthly rent cannot exceed 110% of HUD fair market value rent for Barnstable County.
Participants may not be receiving other rental assistance.
Program Guidelines for ongoing Rental Assistance
Up to $500 per month rental assistance (amount based on tenant portion of rent at 30% of household
income; additional costs, e.g. childcare & health care, may be included in determination).
Lease payments made directly to landlord.
Annual review and adjustment of rental assistance, with maximum of 3 years of assistance subject to
funding availability and active participation in program.
Participants are required to participate in case management.
Parameters of COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance
This emergency assistance has more flexibility, is available for post-COVID-19 income up to 100% AMI,
considers an increase in COVID related expenses and is limited to a one year, $6,000 total benefit.
Applying for Brewster Rental Assistance
The Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) is administering Brewster’s rental assistance program, including
COVID-19 relief. To apply, contact HAC at 508-771-5400, email hac@haconcapecod.org or apply online at
www.haconcapecod.org/programs/homeless-prevention.
2020 HUD
Income Limits
Household
Size
1
Person
2
Persons
3
Persons
4
Persons
5
Persons
6
Persons
80% AMI $54,150 $61,850 $69,600 $77,300 $83,500 $89,7000
100% AMI $67,620 $77,280 $86,940 $96,600 $104,328 $112,056
For more information about the creation of the Brewster Rental Assistance Program, contact Jill Scalise,
Brewster Housing Coordinator at jscalise@brewster-ma.gov or 508-896-3701, ext. 1169
RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition)
ERMA (Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance)
Our private homeless prevention programs and funding
Our new Workforce Housing Relief Fund
Town of Brewster rental assistance (funds for both year-round affordability and emergency
COVID-19 assistance), provided by the Brewster Affordable Housing Trust with Community
Preservation Act funds
One secure, 100% online application gives you access to several rental and
mortgage assistance programs, including:
We are committed to keeping our community safely housed. Part of this means rapid access to rental
and mortgage assistance. Our staff is trained to work remotely with clients to determine the programs
that are the best fit for their particular situation, or to help clients navigate systems that are already in
place. If you or someone you know needs help with their rent or mortgage, please tell them to contact
Housing Assistance today.
Call 508-771-5400
Email hac@haconcapecod.org
There are 15 towns on the Cape, but just one local housing
assistance agency that serves them all.
To apply, please visit
haconcapecod.org/programs/homeless-prevention
FACT SHEET
Brewster COVID-19 Relief Fund
General Information
Brewster residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for financial assistance for
urgent situations that would help them to avoid a crisis such as homelessness or who are seeking
financial assistance for loss of heat, electricity, medical bills, etc.
Brewster Town Staff is available to meet or talk with residents of all ages to provide information,
support, referrals, and assist residents in the COVID- 19 relief fund application process.
Requirements for COVID-19 funds
Need for assistance is related to COVID-19, for example loss of income or increase of expenses.
Have lived in Brewster for at least 3 months (exceptions can be made based on Staff
recommendation).
Meet financial eligibility criteria for household size. Household income must be at or below 80%
Area Median Income and under savings thresholds. See chart below.
Able to provide verification of residency, income, and expenses through residency documents,
bank statements, pay stubs, tax return, etc.
Available funding sources have been utilized.
Applying for Brewster COVID-19 Relief
Complete application. https://www.brewster-ma.gov/files/covidreliefapp.pdf
Submit application to: covidrelieffund@brewster-ma.gov
Brewster staff will contact applicant by phone or email for initial interview, possible referral, and
required documentation.
Income and Savings Limits:
2020 HUD
Income
Limits
Household
Size
1
Person
2
Persons
3
Persons
4
Persons
5
Persons
6
Persons
80% AMI $54,150 $61,850 $ 69,600 $77,300 $83,500 $89,7000
100% AMI $67,620 $77,280 $86,940 $96,600 $104,328 $112,056
Savings limit: Household of 1 – $10k, Household of 2 – $15k, 3 – $20k, 4 – $25k, 5 – $30k, etc.
Maximum Benefit: $1,000 per applicant request
Funding Source: Created by the Town of Brewster, COVID-19 assistance is funded by donations from
the greater Brewster community.
For more information about the Brewster COVID -19 Relief Fund, email
covidrelieffund@brewster-ma.gov or call the Council on Aging at 508-896-3727.
Brewster Housing Partnership
Minutes of the September 24, 2020 Meeting
______________________________________________________________________________
Members Present Remotely: Ralph Marotti, Steve Seaver, Diane Pansire, Sarah Robinson,
Vanessa Greene, Jillian Douglas
Guests Present: Jill Scalise, Donna Kalinick, Cindy Bingham
1.Call to Order: Meeting called to order via Zoom at 6:30 pm.
2.Approve minutes of previous meeting: Minutes of the August meeting were
presented and approved.
3.Vacancy – Housing Partnership: The Housing Partnership welcomed Jillian Douglas
as its newest member.
4.Housing Coordinator Report: Jill Scalise presented the Housing Coordinator
Report including the following updates.
The rental assistance program is up and running. HAC is administering the
program. They have started marketing and outreach. The application can be
completed online on the HAC website or with the assistance of HAC. Ralph
Marotti inquired about the workforce relief fund. Jill Scalise noted that this
is a private fund that could be used when an individual does not meet the
criteria of the rental assistance program and is specifically for COVID-19
relief.
An update was provided on the Elevation Finance Group project noting that
the hearing on the use variance has been continued to the ZBA’s October
meeting. They are also expected to meet with the Planning Board in October
and they have presented to the Housing Trust.
An update was provided on the Millstone property. The initial phase of the
feasibility study has been completed. Sarah Robinson asked for additional
information on timing for the RFP process. Jill Scalise noted that MHP had
recently made a presentation on the disposition of public land for affordable
housing and she would distribute.
The Town is still waiting to hear back on the Community Development
Block Grant for housing rehabilitation funds.
This Brewster COVID-19 Relief Fund is now open. The application
available is now available on the Town’s website.
An update was provided on Brewster Woods by Donna Kalinick. Phase I is
now out to bid and there has been a lot of interest. The project could be
breaking ground by the end of the year. Jillian Douglas inquired about
feedback received from neighbors and Donna Kalinick provided
information on outreach. Cindy Bingham relayed the major request from
the neighborhood is that they would like to be notified when the trees are
scheduled to be cut down.
5.Standing Committee Updates:
a.Affordable Housing Trust – Sarah Robinson and Jill Scalise noted that
updates had already been provided previously.
b.CPC – Jill Scalise noted that the Affordable Housing Trust and CPC had a
joint Committee earlier in the day and it was a great opportunity to discuss
how the two groups have been and can continue to work together
effectively.
6.Housing Education and Community Outreach: Jill Scalise provided examples of
outreach and education that the Housing Partnership could undertake highlighting
the ADU by-law. Donna Kalinick discussed how the Town’s e-mail distribution list
works and noted that there is an opportunity for additional outreach. The outreach
done related to the Millstone property was discussed.
7.Local Preference Discussion: Ralph Marotti raised the topic of local preference.
Jillian Douglas provided historical information on how preference was handled on
previous projects. Jill Scalise relayed what the current definitions of local preference
include per the guidelines of the Department of Housing and Community
Development. Donna Kalinick provided context as to regional level discussions and
unintended consequences related to fair lending. She suggested the possibility of
holding a public forum on this topic to ensure we are making informed decisions as a
community. Diane Pansire noted that it would be helpful to get further educated as a
group on this topic. The group decided that it would be great to have a joint presentation
made to the Housing Partnership, Affordable Housing Trust, and Select Board and Jill
Scalise will follow up with Judi Barrett and MHP.
8.Meeting adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 7:20.
Respectfully submitted,
Vanessa L. Greene