Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-20 CorrespondenceJohnson County 31:S� OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Andy Johnson, Executive Assistant MEETING OF ENTITY REPRESENTATIVES TO DISCUSS AFFORDABLE HOUSING At the January 26a' meeting of the area entities, I was charged with calling a meeting of the entities to continue the conversation about affordable housing. On April 7t' representatives of Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights, Johnson County, the MPOJC, the Iowa City Community School District and the Affordable Home Coalition met. North Liberty was absent due to illness. Prior to the meeting, a packet was distributed to those attending. The packet included: • Information provided at the January 26h meeting • The update to the 2007 Affordable Housing Market Analysis • The recommendations presented by a (then) JCCOG task force in 2010 • Suggestions prepared by the Affordable Home Coalition • Several pertinent articles A summary of the January 26, 2015 joint meeting of area entities included: • In response to the letter from the ICCSD regarding housing policy, each entity presented information regarding affordable housing needs/issues/programs in the respective jurisdiction. • There seemed to be consensus that entities were interested in addressing, in conjunction with the school district, o Looking at ways to encourage a mix of housing in the growth areas, particularly around schools, and new developments, and o Addressing socio-economic mix in existing neighborhoods. • There was consensus that the entities would send representatives to a meeting, called by the County, to follow up on the discussion. There was not consensus about ongoing leadership (some suggested the district while the MPOJC was also suggested) but all felt it important that the district's involvement was important. • While a "task force" was mentioned, the direction for ongoing discussion was not determined. The representatives attending on April 7a' discussed a variety of issues involving affordable housing. While some in the group are veterans of numerous other "task forces", "study groups", etc., charged with looking at affordable housing, it was felt that at the present time there seems to be more openness among all entities to address this need, there is an active Coalition engaging the stakeholders in the community and there are some new partners (such as the School District) at the table. 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET, SUITE 201 ♦ IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-4207 • PHONE: (319) 356.6000 ♦ FAX: (319) 356-6036 There was also general consensus that with the 2007 market study and the 2014 update, we have most of the relevant data needed. The recommendations formulated in 2010 by the MPOJC (then JCCOG) task force, in addition to some of the work of the Affordable Homes Coalition, provide some recommendations to consider. We also agreed that the issues for each community are different and spending a lot of time trying to form a regional plan would only slow down progress. Recognizing each area's unique challenges and opportunities and working together to address the issue will hopefully be more productive. Moving forward, the group agreed: 1. That there was value in continuing to meet. I will continue to coordinate the meetings for the time being. If a specific objective is identified, the MPOJC staff is able to assist. 2. To try to engage the University, as the area's largest employer and economic driver. 3. To discuss definitions and hopefully find consensus so that entities in the region are using the same terms. 4. To bring ideas of successful use of resources to promote and preserve affordable housing. 5. To bring ideas of opportunities for growth of resources. 6. To look again at the information regarding forming a consortium for distribution of HOME funds. 7. To identify some goals that we can work toward, identifying some "low hanging fruit" as first steps. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled.