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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-09-AHTBT-min Page 1 of 3 Affordable Housing Trust Meeting Minutes of August 9, 2023 10:00 am Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in the Parker room, Town Office Building Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; Mark Sandeen, William Erickson, Tiffany Payne, Linda Prosnitz (arrived at 10:14 am) Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Ragi Ramachandran, Administrative Assistant Other attendees: Elizabeth Rust, RHSO; Bob Pressman, Melinda Walker Ms. Tung conducted a roll call to ensure all the members of the AHT Board and members of staff present could hear and be heard. Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 10:02 am. The meeting was recorded by LexMedia for future on-demand viewing. 1. Approval of July 26 meeting minutes The AHT Board reviewed the draft minutes of the meeting held on 7/26/23. The minutes were approved as amended. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes, Payne – yes). Agreement of members that the emergent guidelines, which were adopted at the 7/26 meeting, are not criteria. 2. Chair, Select Board liaison, Committee liaison and RHSO/staff report Ms. Tung reported that discussion continues with Select Board Chair Joe Pato on setting a stipend for low income member of the board, per the Declaration of Trust. Mr. Sandeen and Ms. Rust reported on Select Board approval 8/7/23 of HOME funds of approximately $60,000 for Tenant Based Rental Assistance to be used towards first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and/or security deposit. Mr. Sandeen reported Gov. Healy’s state of emergency regarding newly arriving migrant families and state shelters being at capacity. 3. Values The Values were Adopted as revised 7/25/23. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes, Payne – yes). 4. FY25 CPC application/Establish working committee Ms. Prosnitz presented draft slides on a pre-funding request to CPA. Mr. Sandeen commented that the Select Board typically appreciates hearing that all other stakeholders have commented before they consider supporting a request, such as a request to submit a funding proposal with the Trust to the CPA. Page 2 of 3 Mr. Pressman commented that CPA would likely expect to see a specific project request, not only a pre-funding request. Ms. Walker noted, regarding pre-funding, that nonprofit developers often have to put together funding from various sources in order to get projects completed. Nonprofit developers go to a Housing Trust or request CPA money for this “seed” money. It’s a way to encourage other entities to join and be willing to fund the project, such as DHCD, and tax credits. She also noted that in addition to the Town wanting to support LexHAB and the Housing Authority’s repositioning, it might not be those two entities, but a community development corporation is a third efficient way because they have experience working with financial institutions to get tax credits. Ms. Prosnitz will re-work the slides for the next meeting. After discussion, Ms. Payne would speak with Lexington Housing Authority, Mr. Erickson would speak with LexHAB, and Ms. Prosnitz would speak with the Housing Partnership Board to determine what their upcoming needs are, the opportunity to collaborate and work as partners and if there is any possibility of a joint pref unding proposal, and share their findings at the next meeting. Mr. Sandeen noted that the Select Board would expect to also hear whether at some point each entity had made a formal vote of endorsement. Ms. Tung and Mr. Erickson reported on meeting with staff regarding the town-owned parcel on Lowell Street. Trust members discussed approaches to seeking Select Board sentiment on an affordable housing development on this site including the different zoning approaches, and whether all-affordable or mixed income to be determined. Mr. Erickson commented that the Trust should consider the type of housing proposal that would be appropriate to serve the town. He said he would be happy to work with civil engineers to be a draftsperson. Ms. Kowalski and Ms. Rust described the Local Initiative Project (a.k.a., “Friendly 40B”) process as a zoning approach, which requires Select Board support. Initial site work is necessary, they explained, and it would go through the Zoning Board of Appeals , not Town Meeting. Ms. Rust noted that we would need an engineered site plan, a pro forma, funding sources figured out, and the Trust has money that could do this kind of feasibility; you don’t have to wait for Town Meeting to approve for next July, you could use the money you have. Mr. Sandeen suggested a presentation to the Select Board to get an indication on whether or not they could potentially be supportive, before we spend money, or if the Select Board has other plans for that land. The question arose of what the land across Lowell Street could be used for. Staff responded that it is conservation land, in Article 97, requiring multiple votes, including the state legislature, and compensatory resource land elsewhere, to remove from Art icle 97 protected status. Discussion followed about walking trails or open space for the residents. Ms. Walker described the Hudson, Massachusetts former police station, which was turned into all-affordable housing by the town issuing an RFP. It was up to the applicants to put forth a preliminary sketch, then it was up to the selected developer to go through the permitting. There are a variety of approaches. The Select Board must first decide that they want to put affordable housing in a location, then put out feelers through an RFP. The first step is for the Select Board to take a position on a site for affordable housing; it’s well within their role. Ms. Rust added that it being Town land, it would then be a Select Board article to a Town Meeting vote. Ms. Prosnitz said she could help with a pro forma. Discussion on Ms. Kowalski’s buy down memo for Inclusionary Zoning units in Special Residential Developments and MBTA Multi-Family developments. Trust members want to omit a dollar figure from the proposal and have it be negotiated. Mr. Sandeen recommended that Ms. Tung and Ms. Kowalski plan to meet with developers as they contact the Planning Office regarding applications for SRD and MBTA Multi-family. Ms. Rust then described a Rental Assistance Program proposal idea for cost-burdened renters with incomes of less than 30% AMI to cover rental arrears for up to 6 months. Ms. Rust and Ms. Page 3 of 3 Kowalski had talked with Human Services Director Melissa Interess whose department satisfies emergency needs, and she was supportive of this concept. There was a question on what happens after the rental assistance ends in 6 months. Ms. Rust said the parameters can be determined by the Trust. Ms. Payne asked if they could have Section 8 vouchers, and if this could help people get out of shelters. Ms. Rust said yes, renters could have Section 8, but it wouldn’t be enough to get someone out of a shelter. Ms. Payne hoped this could help with financial assistance and case management, as well. Mr. Erickson requested the members share their thoughts and feedback on the Lowell/North St presentation and send it to Ms. Kowalski. Ms. Tung suggested that the members share their feedback on other Support Initiatives, the Inclusionary Zoning buy-down memo, and Rental Assistance program memo. These comments will be reviewed at the next meeting to determine the steps forward. 5. Potential town owned sites This topic will be reviewed the next time. 6. New Business There were no New Business items for discussion. 7. Confirm next meeting date 8/30 and set September date Next meeting date was confirmed for August 30. The Trustees will reach out to Ms. Ramachandran with their availability to schedule the September meetings. 8. Adjourn Adjourned by roll call vote 12:04pm (Erickson – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes, Payne – yes). List of documents reviewed 1. AHT Values 5-25-23 rev 7-25-23 2. Pre-Funding Affordable Housing Trust 3. 8-3-2023 Lowell and North Presentation 4. Memo to AHT CPA buy-downs 5. Lexington MAHT – rental assistance memo RHSO