HomeMy Public PortalAboutAffordable Housing Trust -- 2023-10-05 Minutes- -- - - -iii
Brewster Housing Trust
October 5, 2023, 5:00pm Meeting
Housing Trust Members Present: Tim Hackert, Donna Kalinick, Paul Ruchinskas, Vanessa
Greene, Antone Freitas
Present remotely: Maggie Spade -Aguilar
Absent: Ned Chatelain
Others Present: Robert Tobias- Finance Committee
1. Call to Order, Declaration of Quorum, Meeting Participation and Recording Statement:
Chair Tim Hackert called the meeting to order at 5:01pm, read the required notice and
declared a quorum.
2. Citizen's Forum: None
3. Spring Rock Village (0 Millstone Road) update
Ms. Kalinick shared that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
(EOHLC) approved the Select Board's request for 55% Local Preference (24 units) and
15% Regional Preference (7 units) for Barnstable County. Ms. Kalinick and Ms. Scalise
have been discussing asking for reginal preference with other local Town leaders.
Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC)
submitted a grant application for CPC funds for $500K for the project. Both the Select
Board and Finance Committee voted unanimously in favor of the application. It will now
go before Town Meeting. Ms. Kalinick expects POAH and HAC will make CPC requests to
surrounding towns as well as a request to the Housing Trust for funding. Ms. Scalise
prepared an analysis of development costs for recent affordable housing developments.
Spring Rock Village's current per unit development cost ($603,961) is in line with these
development costs. The expected funding request to Brewster is $1,000,000. This is less
than the $2 million of funding provided by Orleans for Pennrose and by Wellfleet for
Juniper Hill. Paul Ruchinskas noted that Provincetown provided $3.5 million for Jerome
Smith and Sandwich contributed $2.65 million in CPA funds for Henry Wing. Cape towns
have typically been funding $2 million or $2+ million, in addition to land, for affordable
housing developments. Mr. Ruchinskas also noted from his Cape Cod Commission
experience that with local, regional, and open preference application pools, local
preference applicants often end up at 85-90% of chosen residents.
4. 212 Yankee Drive update
Ms. Kalinick stated that Pearl construction started mobilization of initial construction this
week. Pearl Construction will be overseeing the replacement of the boiler and heat
loops. The change order is in the packet. The Trust authorized $250,000; however, an
additional amount, $10,000, is needed because change orders arise throughout the
process, for example the electrical panel, bathroom windows and light fixture selections.
Pearl has been terrific to work with, they were able to obtain granite countertops for the
same price as the original planned laminate. Mr. Ruchinskas suggested a higher amount
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of funds, like $20,000, to provide more flexibility. Chair Hackert agreed with $20,000. Mr.
Freitas noted that light fixtures could be a greater than expected expense. Mr.
Ruchinskas motioned to increase the Housing Trust's authorization by $20,000 to cover
future change orders for 212 Yankee Drive. Second, Ms. Greene. A roll call vote was
taken, Donna Kalinick- yes, Paul Ruchinskas- yes, Vanessa Greene- yes, Antone Freitas -
yes, Maggie Spade -Aguilar- yes, Tim Hackert- yes. Unanimously approved. Ms. Kalinick
continued with an update on the Barbie dolls. Housing staff met with legal counsel.
When a property is taken by tax title, the original resident retains ownership of any
contents of the property. The property had been assumed to be empty of contents as
the Barbie dolls were only found during remediation. The Barbie dolls have since been
moved to a secure location. The Town will be reaching out to the Conservator to follow
the correct legal steps for the oversight of the Barbie dolls.
S. Housing Program Assistant position update
Ms. Kalinick noted that the Housing Program Assistant ad is in the packet and the Town
is accepting applications through a priority deadline of October 9th. Typically, there are
two rounds of interviews. The first round of interviews will be held by the Human
Resources Director, Housing Coordinator, and Assistant Town Manager. The Town
Planner will join the interview team for the second round of interviews. Realistically it
would be the end of November before someone is onboard.
6. Buydown Program CPC funding application update
Ms. Kalinick reported that the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) approved the
application for the Buydown Program for $250,000. The Select Board and Finance
Committee voted unanimously in favor of recommending approval at Town Meeting. Mr.
Ruchinskas noted that $5,000 was added to the requested amount by the CPC for legal
fees. Ms. Kalinick said a Town Forum will be held on Monday October 30th at 6PM and a
video about Town Meeting articles will also be available.
7. Rental Assistance Program update
Ms. Kalinick noted that the latest quarterly report is included in the packet.
8. Housing Trust Guidelines and 2024 Priority Initiatives update for November discussion
Chair Hackert shared that the Housing priority initiative information is in the packet.
With Ned Chatelain and Jill Scalise absent from this month's meeting, the discussion and
any voting will be deferred to next month's meeting. Ms. Kalinick noted that the packet
includes a table with last year's priorities and the current status and funding. Last
month several folks brought their top three priorities. Chair Hackert and Ms. Kalinick
both noted that the Housing Trust accomplished numerous goals in the past year.
9. Housing Coordinator update
Ms. Kalinick reported that the Town is still waiting for a date for the Habitat for
Humanity Phoebe Way lottery. The Select Board reviewed the affordable rental rates for
the Serenity Apartments at Brewster low -to -moderate income affordable units. As part
of the Regulatory Agreement, the Town and EOHLC are required to approve any rent
increases. Representatives from Serenity presented their request to the Select Board
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and the rent increases were approved. The rents are in line with the affordable rates set
by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as affordable at 2023 80% Area Median
Income (AMI). This is an increase from the original rates set with the 2021 AMI numbers.
The Town and Serenity are looking to provide opportunities to connect residents with
available financial resources. The revised Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw has gone
through the appropriate bylaw process and will be on the Town Meeting Warrant. Mr.
Freitas was asked to give an update on the ADU bylaw at the November Housing Trust
meeting. Mr. Ruchinskas asked if the Serenity affordable rents are set at 80% AMI and if
they are getting close to the market rate rents. Ms. Kalinick responded that the Serenity
affordable units are set to 80% AMI and that there had been discussions with Serenity
about the rent. Most of the rents for the affordable renewals are set closer to affordable
for 70% AMI but the new move -in rate is close to the 2023 HUD 80% AMI affordable
level. This is less than the market rate rents. It's about a 9% increase in rent. The AMI
jumped the past two years. This makes more people eligible for assistance; however, it
also leads to much greater allowable rental rates, hurting people in the low income level.
The cost to buy a home in Brewster has also increased from about $450,000 before the
pandemic to close to $700,000 now. This impacts numerous data points, including AMI,
as well as who is able to live in the town. The Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) was
approved by the Planning Board and Select Plan and will be on the Town Meeting
Warrant. The Housing Production Plan is part of the LCP. Ms. Spade -Aguilar asked if
there is any indication that the existing Serenity residents will be priced out of their
apartments. Ms. Kalinick noted Serenity must provide 30 days' notice before raising
rents. After rental renewals take place, the Town will be doing a compliance review of
the files. The Town will be watching the situation and having an information session with
Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) to help residents know the resources available to
them. Ms. Spade -Aguilar asked if Serenity was required to raise the rents. Ms. Kalinick
replied, no, but they are experiencing increased utility and operational costs as well as
increased building expenses and a variable rate mortgage. Additionally, throughout Cape
Cod the rental market rates continue to rise.
10. Cape Cod Sea Camps updates
Chair Hackert stated that there was a joint meeting between the Select Board, Bay and
Pond Committees to address policy issues that had been raised by the consultants.
These included Community Center possibilities, housing options on Bay and Pond
parcels as well as sewage treatment options on the Pond parcel, partnership with
Audubon and with Brewster Conservation Trust, and possible future municipal uses. Ms.
Kalinick added that the Bay and Pond Committees are advisory committees for the
Select Board. The next forum will be virtual on November 30th. The discussion around
conservation restrictions also involved questions about long term effects of restrictions.
The consultants will be doing some high level concepts of what housing could look like.
The Town's Integrated Water Consultant will also be speaking to the Pond Parcel
Committee. Chair Hackert noted that Wellfleet received state funds to build a water
treatment plant. Ms. Kalinick added this is a MassWorks grant for infrastructure to treat
the new affordable home construction as well as Town buildings in the same vicinity. Mr.
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Ruchinskas was interested in the number of residential homes currently in Zone Two as
well as the interest of YMCA participation in the Community Center. Ms. Kalinick stated
residents were not interested in a YMCA Community Center on the property. Public
participation, while robust, only represents 10% of the Brewster population. Community
Plans have also had community input in their creation. Ms. Spade -Aguilar shared that
there were conflicting results from the public information sessions around housing and
noted that interest in housing has vacillated between the Pond and Bay parcel. The
make-up of the Pond and Bay Parcel committees was discussed. The Housing Trust has a
voting member on the Pond Parcel and liaison on the Bay Parcel. Ms. Kalinick stated that
there are co -existing conservation and housing possibilities on both parcels.
11. For Your Information
Chair Hackert reviewed the information in the packet:
• Article on ADU Program by Community Development Partnership
• Article on how seniors are sliding into homelessness. Paul Ruchinskas noted that
on Cape Cod HAC is seeing an increase in the number of homeless folks over 65.
• Article on schools providing housing for teachers because of housing costs.
• Article on homelessness in the American west and increase of people living in
camps.
• Article about initiative to create workforce housing in Orleans.
Mr. Tobias asked about the legalities of a Town owning housing for employees. Ms.
Kalinick noted the Housing Trust can only assist with income up to 100% AMI, or possibly
110% maximum. It would be a different thing for a municipality to own non -deed
restricted housing above this amount and funds would need to come from the tax base.
Using the Bay Parcel for housing year-round municipal workers was not identified as a
favorable option. Mr. Tobias also shared that the Nauset schools have 30 temporary
classroom units that, after construction is complete, could be considered to be
redeployed as housing. Chair Hackert noted the complexities of these issues.
• Ms. Spade -Aguilar shared that the Real Estate Transfer bill sponsored by State
Senator Cyr is going before committee. This would be a local option that would
also be needed to be passed locally.
12. Matters Not Reasonable Anticipated by the Chair
13. Approval of Minutes from August 3, 2023 & September 7, 2023 & August 17, 2023
Local Preference Information Session
Mr. Ruchinskas moved to approve August 3, 2023 Trust minutes. Second, Ms. Greene. A
roll call vote was taken. Donna Kalinick- yes, Paul Ruchinskas- yes, Vanessa Greene- yes,
Antone Freitas- yes, Maggie Spade -Aguilar- yes, Tim Hackert- yes. Unanimously
approved.
Mr. Ruchinskas moved to approve August 17, 2023 Local Preference Session minutes.
Second Ms.Greene. A roll call vote was taken. Donna Kalinick- yes, Paul Ruchinskas- yes,
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Vanessa Greene- yes, Antone Freitas- yes, Maggie Spade -Aguilar- yes, Tim Hackert- yes.
Unanimously approved.
Ms. Greene moved to approve September 7, 2023 minutes. Second Paul Ruchinskas. A
roll call vote was taken. Donna Kalinick- yes, Paul Ruchinskas- yes, Vanessa Greene- yes,
Antone Freitas- abstain, Maggie Spade -Aguilar- yes, Tim Hackert- abstain. Approved.
14. Next Scheduled Meeting: November 2, 2023
15. Adjournment
At 6:28PM Mr. Ruchinskas moved to adjourn the meeting. Second Vanessa Greene. A roll
call vote was taken. Donna Kalinick- yes, Paul Ruchinskas- yes, Vanessa Greene- yes,
Antone Freitas- yes, Maggie Spade -Aguilar- yes, Tim Hackert- yes. Unanimously
approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jill Scalise, Housing Coordinator
Meeting Materials: 10.05.23 BAHT Meetni r -et brewster-ma. ov
Approved: November 2, 2023
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