2017-06-06-HPB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Housing Partnership Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 6, 2017 Attendees: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Paul Linton, Rich McDonough, Bob Pressman, Melinda Walker Absent: Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Mary Haskell, Wendy Manz, Joe Pato, Betsey Weiss Guests: Gerald Paul The meeting was chaired by Melinda Walker and the minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. The meeting was called to order at 7:43 pm. 1. Approval of minutes of May 2, 2017 Mr. Pressman moved approval of the May 2, 2017 minutes and Mr. Linton seconded the motion. The motion was approved with four in favor and one abstention. 2. Update: Judges Way / Walker Legal representatives for the Town, the Lexington Housing Authority and the Pine Grove Village owners are still negotiating the terms for the conversion of Pine Grove Village from a co-ooperative to a condominium. The terms will include the transfer of five units as low-income units to the Lexington Housing Authority. 3. Discussion of LexHAB activities / Pressman LexHAB went to the Board of Selectmen on Monday night, June 5 with the LIP application for DHCD for the Busa property. The Board unanimously approved the submission to DHCD and thanked LexHAB for their work. LexHAB will most likely be returning to Town Meeting for a request for additional funds for the BUSA project. 4. Update Meeting with Metro West re: Senior Housing / Foutter, Walker Gerald Paul and Ms. Walker met with Jennifer Van Campen of Metro West Housing Development to discuss senior housing. The discussion centered on the market for senior housing in Lexington: is there a need for "affordable or low income senior housing, or is the real demand for market—rate housing? A typical case is a senior living in a large house without a mortgage. When the house is sold, the senior has substantial assets and would not be eligible for affordable housing, but is looking to downsize. Charlotte Rodgers, Director of Human Services for the town of Lexington, will be conducting a survey of Lexington seniors in 2018. Ms. Walker volunteered to contact Ms. Rodgers to request that questions about housing preferences be included in the survey. Mr. Paul spoke with Aaron Henry to discuss ideas for the development of senior housing in Lexington. Mr. Henry suggested that LHP could apply to for CPA funds for a feasibility study to determine it would be financially feasible to use a parcel of town -owned land for senior housing. Mr. Paul also reported he had researched whether it would be in violation of HUD's 'fair housing' laws to develop age -restricted housing. He determined that it is legal as long as the development can prove that at least 80% of the housing units are occupied by at least one senior. The development must also publish that they are an age -restricted community and follow HUD requirements for age verification.