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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-07-26-FHC-min.pdf 1 Minutes Fair Housing Committee 7/26/89 Present -Gerri Weathers Chairman ; Robert Pressman ; William Spencer ; Leona Martin; Ernest T H Tsai Stephen Baran Fair Housing Officer Minutes 6/ 14/89 The Minutes of 6/ 14/89 were approved Update Social Studies Committee Steve said he would alert members shortly about appointment of Miriam Spence to the Social Studies Advisory Committee Affordable Housing ` Bill Spencer reported on the Technical Task Force which has set % up a structure requiring that a common taxonomy be adopted with a set of strategies and tools for realizing objectives There is considerable interest in accessory apartments, and a separate task force has been created One of its aims is to produce a promotional 'ideo on regulatory, architectural and financial features A' "^grant has been obtained from the Christian Science Committee of `tbe Hancock Church Mickey Hinkle from the Minuteman is involved Gerri reported on the Goals and Needs Committee, a subcommittee of the Affor dable Housing Options Committee The focus is on data gathering Franklin School apartments have been particularly responsive in providing data Gerri has provided input from the Fair Housing Forum on Affordable Housing Phyllis Reservitz' remarks have been noted Bob Pressman' s letter to the Selectmen has been submitted Town Meeting members are discussing perceptions and concerns of their constituents The Committeee visited Meagherville, and some of their residents approached Gerri to say that they wished to see a small number, approximately 20, of people who were "really in need", assisted Leona reported on the Site Development Committee which is asking Who should be helped and how many units do they need? Here again there seems to be an emphasis on helping the "really needy" as opposed to helping those who are at an economic level where they cannot quite afford to live in Lexington At the same time, there is an interest in helping Town employees whose salary levels are being reviewed Bob in the same Committee, has disussed how the installation of the Franklin apartments has not negatively affected surrounding property values Linda Conrad spoke to the needs of families headed by young, divorced persons Bill Hayes is in favor of SO affordable units Fair Housing Committee Minutes, 7/26/89 Page 2 Committee members examined the issue of seeking housing for the very needy It was recognized that below the poverty line meant "really hurting" Another issue is purchase vs rental with neighborhood representatives favoring the latter because it promotes stability coAki Gerri said that she was encouraged by Paul Marshall ' s strong chairmanship of this committee It was agreed to support Gerri' s resignation from the Site Development Committee Bob Pressman would like to replace her on that committee as the Fair Housing Committee representative Gerri is already a member of the Affordable Housing Options Committee If her resignation is accepted, Bob will replace her Steve will notify the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Fair Housing Committee Goals for Affordable Housing The Committee members agreed to support a goal of 70 affordable housing units, the beneficiaries to come from a mix of income 7 levels, with outreach beyond Lexington, with rental of units Notwithstanding these priorities, the Committtee is in favor of housing for the elderly and for citizens with special needs. The number 70 was viewed as appropriate from the point of view of being negotiable and also because it was in line with an appropriate density Furthermore, it was felt that to designate a particular income level might be discriminatory The outreach objective was seen to be pertinent in view of the Town' s policy of increasing diversity A model for appropriate outreach has been provided by the Franklin process Rental was seen as a desirable mechanism since it would give the Town control Human Services Department Goal Statement The Committee reviewed the Human Services Department goal statement which promotes communication between groups concerned with fair Housing, eg , Citizens with Special Needs Committee, Enablement Committee Poster Context Who Will Take Responsibility? Steve said that Vidya had already volunteered to work together with Cari Luterman from the Enablement Committee on a poster contest related to the Fair Hoousing Amendments of 1988 Fair Housing Committee Minutes, 7/26/89 Page 3 Affirmative Action Draft Statement Committee members were pleased to see that the Town was affirmatively pursuing affirmative action policy and procedures It was suggested that "equal employment" or "personnel " be added to the title to clarify that the statement refers to Town sa personnel Brochure Progress is being made on completing a Fair Housing brochure When the brochure is completed, the Town may be approached for a portion of the cost Leona will get a price on the printing Welcome Wagon Steve was asked to invite a representative of Welcome Wagon to the next meeting Respectfully Submitted, Stephen Saran, Fair Housing Director 1