Asheville Housing Authority Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners June 24, 2015 5:00 p.m. Central Office, 165 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 Commissioners: Lewis Isaac, Chair Cassandra Wells, Vice Chair Cindy McMahon, Member Raynetta Waters, Member Jennifer Pickering, Member Agenda Topics Call to Order Roll Call Present Absent Lewis Isaac, Chair ______ ______ Cassandra Wells, Vice Chair ______ ______ Cindy McMahon, Member ______ ______ Raynetta Waters, Member ______ ______ Jennifer Pickering, Member ______ ______ Approval of Minutes of May 27, 2015 Meeting Bills and Communications Report of the Secretary o Asheville Housing Properties o Asheville Housing Vouchers o Income/Expense Report o Residents Council Report
Transcript
Asheville Housing Authority Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners
June 24, 2015
5:00 p.m.
Central Office, 165 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
Commissioners: Lewis Isaac, Chair Cassandra Wells, Vice Chair
Cindy McMahon, Member Raynetta Waters, Member Jennifer Pickering, Member
Agenda Topics
Call to Order
Roll Call Present Absent
Lewis Isaac, Chair ______ ______ Cassandra Wells, Vice Chair ______ ______ Cindy McMahon, Member ______ ______ Raynetta Waters, Member ______ ______ Jennifer Pickering, Member ______ ______
Approval of Minutes of May 27, 2015 Meeting
Bills and Communications
Report of the Secretary
o Asheville Housing Properties o Asheville Housing Vouchers o Income/Expense Report o Residents Council Report
New Business
1. Proclamation honoring the service of Board Member Cindy Henry McMahon.
___________________ __________________
Motion Second
2. Approval of Amendment to the Administrative Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program to provide for phase-in of the $25 minimum rent over three years, effective back to December 1, 2014.
___________________ __________________
Motion Second
3. Approval of expanded payment standards for one-bedroom and efficiency apartments under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, effective July 1, 2015.
___________________ __________________
Motion Second
Old Business
Public Comment
Adjournment
Work Session
The Commission Members will hold a work session at 4:00 p.m. in the Chief Executive Officer’s office located at 165 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Topics: Review of Regular Meeting Agenda Items
Housing Authority of the City of Asheville
Commission Meeting Minutes May 27, 2015
I. Work Session
The work session was held at the Central Office at 5pm. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Lewis Isaac, Vice Chair Cassandra Wells, Member Cindy McMahon, Member Raynetta Waters and Member Jennifer Pickering.
Open session: Cindy Weeks from MHO presented an update on Lee Walker Heights. HACA is the lead developer for the project and MHO is serving as a consultant and co-developer. MHO has been in Asheville for 26 years, and the team they have assembled is almost exclusively from Asheville. Two weeks ago, they held the first resident workshop and have created a preliminary design based on input from the residents. MHO is going to take the LWH resident committee and other interested residents on a tour of other MHO properties so they can see what new apartments will look like.
David Nash presented financial aspects of the RAD application for LWH as distributed with the Board packets. The project team will be applying for 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, taking out a mortgage on the property, using HACA funds from reserves, and financial support from the city/county to pay for this project.
II. Regular Meeting - Call to order
Chair Isaac called to order the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners at 6:03 on May 27, 2015, at Klondyke Homes, 33 Klondyke Place, Asheville, NC 28801. Brooke Smith conducted roll call. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Lewis Isaac, Vice Chair Cassandra Wells, Member Cindy McMahon, Member Raynetta Waters and Member Jennifer Pickering.
III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
Cindy McMahon made a motion, seconded by Jennifer Pickering, to approve the minutes. The Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes of April 22, 2015.
IV. Bills and Communications
Gene Bell stated that he wanted to show a clip from the workshop with the residents at Lee Walker Heights. The workshop was the first in a series of workshops where
the development team and the residents come together to plan the future of the neighborhood.
Gene Bell stated that Asheville Green Works would like to do a summer program for the children to assist in the maintenance of the Hillcrest Apple Orchard. William Hamilton, Hillcrest Site Manager, stated that in order to plant apple trees and blueberry trees in the orchard, Asheville Green Works applied for a grant to hire six people. For the summer program, they asked HACA to contribute $1500 to allow 2 youth to work all summer and maintain the trees. HACA approved and it has been a success so far.
Gene Bell stated that Raynetta Waters was selected as a chair of the nominating committee for the southern area of The Links, Incorporated, one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to sustaining the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. He also introduced the new Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator/Communication Specialist, Terry Bellamy.
Finally, Gene Bell thanked Cindy McMahon for all of her hard work and contributions to HACA over the last 10 years through her service on the Board. This is likely to be her last meeting.
V. Report of the Secretary
a) Occupancy: Asheville Properties Noele Tackett reported the monthly Asheville Housing occupancy submitted with the board package
b) Occupancy: Asheville Housing Vouchers Brandy Woodard reported monthly Asheville Housing Vouchers occupancy submitted with the board package
c) Income/Expense Report Lenell Wyche summarized the bottom line of the four key budgets submitted with the board package.
d) Residents Council Report Keith DeBlasio stated that over the last month, the Council has had a contract with HACA for trash clean up and debris removal in units. Through this contract, they have been able to employ 6 residents. They are looking at employing more youth for the orchard. They are working in each development to do clean-ups. The Council participated in the Asheville City School Board 5-year planning sessions. The Asheville Police Department Citizens Committee has agreed to accept a resident onto the committee. Jennifer Pickering asked if there are any youths serving on the Council, and Keith DeBlasio stated that a youth was just elected to the Hillcrest Resident Association.
VI. New Business
1. Public Hearing on Proposed Multifamily Housing Revenue Bond Financing by the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville – Spruce Hill Apartments.
The Chair opened the public hearing at 6:24 pm.
David Nash stated that the Board approved a resolution to approve the application in August 2014. The developer is proposing to buy Spruce Hill and renovate it. The developer would be entirely responsible for paying the bond back. No Board action is required at this time. This is just an opportunity for public comment on the project.
There being no other comment, the Public Hearing closed at 6:28 pm.
2. Approval and authorization for the CEO to submit, including such technical amendments as he shall determine reasonable, the Phase 2 Rental Assistance Demonstration application for the initial phase of redevelopment at Lee Walker Heights, to replace 96 public housing units with 96 new RAD units and 24 additional affordable housing units.
David Nash stated that after HACA applied for a full inventory RAD conversion two years ago, we were asked by the Mayor and members of City Council to look again at redeveloping Lee Walker Heights as a mixed income community. We requested and HUD approved a phased inventory conversion to allow time for additional redevelopment planning in connection with those 96 units. This application will restart the RAD conversion process for that second and final phase and is due by June 30, 2015. We are ultimately hoping to develop as many as 300 mixed income units on the Lee Walker and an adjacent site.
Jennifer Pickering made a motion seconded by Raynetta Waters, to approve and authorize the CEO to submit, including such technical amendments as he shall determine reasonable, the Phase 2 Rental Assistance Demonstration application for the initial phase of redevelopment at Lee Walker Heights, to replace 96 public housing units with 96 new RAD units and 24 additional affordable housing units.
The Board voted as follows: AYE NAY Mr. Lewis Isaac Ms. Cassandra Wells Ms. Cindy McMahon Ms. Raynetta Waters Ms. Jennifer Pickering The Chair declared the motion carried.
3. Approval of resolution authorizing the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville to change its fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31, effective in 2015.
Lenell Wyche stated at last month’s Meeting, the Board discussed and approved the switch to a calendar year, because it makes it much easier to align with the RAD funding. HACA submitted the application for this request, and HUD requested a formal resolution approved by the Board.
Cindy McMahon made a motion, seconded by Cassandra Wells, to approve the resolution authorizing the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville to change its fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31, effective in 2015.
The Board voted as follows: AYE NAY Mr. Lewis Isaac Ms. Cassandra Wells Ms. Cindy McMahon Ms. Raynetta Waters Ms. Jennifer Pickering The Chair declared the motion carried.
4. Approval of a technical amendment to the Annual PHA Plan to authorize the issuance of project-based vouchers under the HUD-VASH program upon request from the VA Medical Center, to facilitate the goal of ending veteran’s homelessness.
David Nash stated the Asheville/Buncombe County Homeless Committee is working very hard to end veteran’s homelessness. There are a number of developers who have contacted HACA and the VA about developing new housing opportunities for this population and this tool may help with that process.
Raynetta Waters made a motion, seconded by Jennifer Pickering, to approve a technical amendment to the Annual PHA Plan to authorize the issuance of project-based vouchers under the HUD-VASH program upon request from the VA Medical Center, to facilitate the goal of ending veteran’s homelessness.
The Board voted as follows: AYE NAY Mr. Lewis Isaac Ms. Cassandra Wells Ms. Cindy McMahon Ms. Raynetta Waters Ms. Jennifer Pickering
The Chair declared the motion carried.
5. Consideration of approval of amendment to Inter-local Cooperation Contract with Brevard Housing Authority effective June 1, 2015.
Gene Bell stated that HACA has managed the Brevard Housing Authority for over 10 years. HACA Chief Operations Officer will now be the Executive Director of Brevard Housing Authority in a similar role that Gene Bell has been doing for 10 years. Nothing is changing as far as the overall agency responsibility for executive oversight of Brevard Housing Authority. The only thing changing is that David will serve as ED of Brevard instead of Gene.
Cindy McMahon made a motion, seconded by Raynetta Waters, to authorize approval of amendment to Inter-local Cooperation Contract with Brevard Housing Authority effective June 1, 2015.
The Board voted as follows: AYE NAY Mr. Lewis Isaac Ms. Cassandra Wells Ms. Cindy McMahon Ms. Raynetta Waters Ms. Jennifer Pickering The Chair declared the motion carried.
6. Consideration of approval of to change the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville Board Meetings to 5:00 pm effective June 2015.
Lewis Isaac stated that for the previous few meetings, the time was moved up to 5 pm, and the Board really liked that change and would like to make it permanent. The Work Session will be held at 4 pm, and the Regular Board Meeting will be held at 5 pm. Residents Council stated that they like this change.
Jennifer Pickering made a motion, seconded by Cassandra Wells, to authorize approval to change the time of the Board meetings.
The Board voted as follows: AYE NAY Mr. Lewis Isaac Ms. Cassandra Wells Ms. Cindy McMahon Ms. Raynetta Waters
Ms. Jennifer Pickering The Chair declared the motion carried.
VII. Unfinished Business
None
VIII. Other Business
Jennifer Pickering asked when we can expect a new Board Member. Terry Bellamy stated that the position will not close until June 3, 2015, and the Mayor will appoint after that. Lewis Isaac stated that Cindy McMahon has been a wonderful asset to the Board Members, and he officially thanked her for everything.
IX. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned.
_________________________________
Lewis Isaac, Chair ATTEST: ___________________________________ Gene Bell, Secretary
Units Occupied Occ Rate Rehab Make Ready Ready Moved In Vacant
Net Revenue 632,905 82,094 550,811 870,085 204,663 665,422
Other Items
HACA Central Management
Operating Expenses
AMENDMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN FOR THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM Posted June 1, 2014
6-III.A. OVERVIEW OF RENT AND SUBSIDY CALCULATIONS TTP Formula [24 CFR 5.628] HUD regulations specify the formula for calculating the total tenant payment (TTP) for an assisted family. TTP is the highest of the following amounts, rounded to the nearest dollar:
• 30 percent of the family’s monthly adjusted income (adjusted income is defined in Part II)
• 10 percent of the family’s monthly gross income (annual income, as defined in Part I, divided by 12)
• The welfare rent (in as-paid states only)
• A minimum rent between $0 and $50 that is established by the PHA
The PHA has authority to suspend and exempt families from minimum rent when a financial hardship exists, as defined in section 6-III.B.
The amount that a family pays for rent and utilities (the family share) will never be less than the family’s TTP but may be greater than the TTP depending on the rent charged for the unit the family selects.
Welfare Rent [24 CFR 5.628] HACA Policy
Welfare rent does not apply in this locality.
Minimum Rent [24 CFR 5.630] HACA Policy
The minimum rent for this locality is $25$8 effective December 1, 2014; $17 effective December 1, 2015; and $25 effective December 1, 2016 and thereafter.
Family Share [24 CFR 982.305(a)(5)] If a family chooses a unit with a gross rent (rent to owner plus an allowance for tenant-paid utilities) that exceeds the PHA’s applicable payment standard: (1) the family will pay more than the TTP, and (2) at initial occupancy the PHA may not approve the tenancy if it would require the family share to exceed 40 percent of the family’s monthly adjusted income. The income used for this determination must have been verified no earlier than 60 days before the family’s voucher was issued. (For a discussion of the application of payment standards, see section 6-III.C.)
PHA Subsidy [24 CFR 982.505(b)] The PHA will pay a monthly housing assistance payment (HAP) for a family that is equal to the lower of (1) the applicable payment standard for the family minus the family’s TTP or (2) the gross rent for the family’s unit minus the TTP. (For a discussion of the application of payment standards, see section 6-III.C.)
Utility Reimbursement [24 CFR 982.514(b)] When the PHA subsidy for a family exceeds the rent to owner, the family is due a utility reimbursement. HUD permits the PHA to pay the reimbursement to the family or directly to the utility provider.
HACA Policy
The PHA will make utility reimbursements to the family.
