2023-07-27-HPB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Meeting Minutes for July 27, 2023 Attendees: Attendees: Harriet Cohen (clerk), Jeri Foutter (chair), Jill Hai (Select Board Liaison), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (vice-chair) Guests: Nanette Byrnes, Margaret Heitz, Robin Kutner, Jen Pontes (Regional Housing Services Office) Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB) The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Jeri Foutter and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. 1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting Ms. Foutter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the roll was called. 2. Update and discussion of Land Acquisition Policy Recommendation Ms. Weiss presented the proposed Land Acquisition Policy and accompanying list of town purchased properties to the Recreation Committee, Conservation Commission, and School Committee. Ms. Weiss asked for a meeting with representatives of each of the Committees. The goal is to take the policy to the Select Board for approval after agreement by the stakeholders. 3. Vote for Reappointment of Betsey Weiss and Melanie Thompson Ms. Cohen moved that the HPB recommend to the Select Board that Ms. Thompson and Ms. Weiss be reappointed to the HPB. Mr. Litton seconded the motion. In favor: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Charles Hornig, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss, John Zhao Against: none Abstaining: none 4. Review the RHSO Memo Re HOME Funds and Consider for Endorsement Ms. Foutter asked the HPB to review the memo regarding the RHSO proposed use of HOME funds in Lexington for a tenant-based rental assistance program. Ms. Pontes recapped the use and rationale for using HOME funds for rental assistance. This program offers initial move-in cost assistance (e.g., to help cover first month/last month deposits) for qualified tenants. The RHSO will vet renters who apply this assistance. This will be most beneficial for low-income households. Ms. Foutter informed the HPB that Ms. Pontes is requesting that the HPB recommend approval of this policy to the Select Board. Mr. Pressman asked whether parents of METCO children are encompassed by the “Lexington connection” described in the memo. Ms. Pontes said that her understanding is that priority goes to current Lexington residents or people moving to Lexington. In response to a question from Mr. Pressman, Ms. Pontes said that if the funds are not used, the funds will flow back into the RHSO consortium funds.