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HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Partnership -- 2021-09-23 Minutes E'W8;,N p Town of Brewster oPAN � E�oens9F9 Housing Partnership ANN 3 � a 2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631 - ` �AR NIP IR NANA PAN _ Housin eetin Qbrewster-ma. ov ANN // __ . — g g is A,AAA PAN ' ` (508) 896-3701 /46giuconponAl i68iuis is % \ MEETING MINUTES Thursday 9/23/21 Housing Partnership Jillian Douglass 1 . Meeting was called to order at 6 : 00 . Chair 2 . Declaration of a Quorum - Quorum was present. Lisa Forhan 3 . Meeting Participation Statement (for remote participation) . Clerk 4 . Updates from Housing Coordinator - See report attached . 5 . Updates from Liaisons Vanessa Greene a. Affordable Housing Trust AN Vanessa reported that there was a joint Ralph Marotti meeting with the Slect Board; RFP approved and a letter of support was provided for the purchase of the Cape Cod Sea Camps . Diane Pansue b . Community Preservation Committee AN Sarah reported on Latham request Sara Robinson and 5 year plan in process with a consultant . There was a question from Jillian regarding changes to the application for CPC Funds : There have been Steve Seaver only minor changes primarily in the administrative process (submitting documents); no change to the local preference . Asst. Town Administrator Brewster Housing Coalition/ Chapa - Citizens group has been meeting via Administrator Donna xalim�k Zoom; next meeting is in October . Trying to bring people together on housing issues (not just affordable) and advocate for affordable housing . Housing There was a question regarding whether properties at Huckleberry and Coordinator Jill Scalise Frederick Court are part of the housing authority, yes, they are . The update from the Brewster Housing Coalition will remain as a standing agenda item . 6 . Open Discussion -Thoughts related to the 9 / 25 / 21 Special Town Meeting - discussion centered around first advocating for the purchase and then, if approved by voters, advocating for housing to be included as part of the planning for the properties use . Members noted that Brewster residents comments on social media showed there is some misinformation and misunderstanding in the town suggesting there is a significant amount of affordable housing in Brewster . Jill shared that the subsized housing inventory in town is 5 . 6 % and if we include the number of units currently under construction in town, that would bring hit up to 6 . 8 % . It was also noted that the wait list for subsized housing in Brewster is between 5 and 8 years . i 7 . For Your Information/ Correspondence -Town Training on " Sunshine Laws" to be provided at next partnership meeing. 8 . Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair - there were none a 9 . Minutes of the August 19, 2021 Housing Partnership Meeting were approved with the correction of a typographical error . � 10 . Next Meeting will be October 21st at 6 : 00 . 11 . Meeting adjourned at 6 : 37. r I I i Brewster Housing Coordinator Update August 2021 Jill Scalise Ongoing Activities/ Projects 1 . Community Outreach and Education (Housing Production Plan (HPP) Strategy #13) • Responded to email and phone requests for information and assistance, 55 total requests for housing information (35) or assistance (20) . Office hours held on Thursdays from 10-12 . • Prepared and delivered Brewster Housing presentation to Brewster Housing Coalition. Interviewed for Cape Cod Times housing article . 2 . Brewster Affordable Housing Trust Fund (BAHT) (HPP Strategy #7) & Community Housing Parcel off Millstone (Select Board Strategic Plan Goal H-3, HPP Strategy #15) • The Trust met twice to finish draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the property. Legal review completed . The Trust will present the RFP to the Select Board in September to vote on the issuance of the RFP. 3 . Redevelop Existing Properties for Affordable Housing (HPP Strategy #6) • Serenity Brewster (55 + rental housing, 27 affordable units) : Leasing of 41 studios apartments in Phase 1 continues . Grand Opening Ceremony postponed for Covid safety concerns . Working with Elevation Financial on Local Unit Application for 27 affordable units . Phase 2, 91units, expected to open in 2022 . • Latham Centers (Educational, 8 rental apartments) : Provided support & attended Community Preservation Committee (CPC) meeting regarding $150,000 CPA grant request towards creating affordable apartments as part of Latham s renovation and revitalization of the former Fire Museum property . CPC supported request. 4 . Comprehensive Permit Projects (HPP Strategy #14) • Brewster Woods (30 affordable rental units) : Construction continues . • Habitat, Red Top Road (2 affordable homes, ownership) : Habitat for Humanity applied for a Comprehensive Permit, Zoning Board of Appeals hearing scheduled for September 14th with Ellen Murphy, completed application for $10,000 for Technical Assistance from Mass Housing Partnership . 5 . Preservation of Housing and Related Support of Brewster Residents • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing rehabilitation and childcare applications available . Material also provided for FY21 CDBG application. • Brewster Rental Assistance Program (B-RAP) , Housing Assistance Corporation s (HAC) contract was extended for 2 additional years . Program guidelines adjusted to allow reasonable rent, defined by HAC, in accordance with other rent vouchers such as HUD . • Brewster COVID-19 Relief Fund : Provided staff support for housing requests . 6 . Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) (HPP Strategy #10) • Communicated and coordinated with homeowners, Habitat, and HOME Consortium, to facilitate affordable resale of SHI home on James Burr Road . Select Board waived Towns right of first refusal . • Follow-up continued for several SHI homes . Investigated 3 affordable rental units expiring from SHI . 7. Housing Production Plan (HPP) : CPC voted to support $25,000 CPA grant request to update HPP . 8 . Brewster Housing Partnership (BHP) : Held two meetings . • Reviewed and endorsed CPC Housing CPA grant applications for HPP and Latham Centers . • Provided input for Select Board Strategic Plan & support letter for FY21 CDBG application. 9 . Collaboration (HPP Strategy # 9) • Attended HOME Consortium, Making the Case Zoom Call, Lower Cape Housing Institute & CPC regional funding discussion. Provided information about Brewster housing program to Lower Cape towns . Personnel • Worked with: Assessor, Building Dept., CPC, COA, Health Dept. , Housing Partnership, Housing Trust, Planning Dept., Select Board and Town Administration. • Attended CPC, Housing Partnership, Housing Trust & Select Board meetings . • Participated in trammgs including: One Cape Summit, Open Meeting Law & Conflict of Interest.