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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-20 Joint Meeting MinutesJoint Entities Meeting Minutes Invitees: Johnson County Board of Supervisors University of Iowa Cities: Coralville; Hills; Iowa City; Lone Tree; North Liberty; Oxford; Shueyville; Solon; Swisher; Tiffin; University Heights School Boards: Clear Creek; Iowa City Monday, October 20, 2025 - 4:30 PM Emma J. Harvat Hall, 410 E. Washington Street (A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.) 1. Call to order: Iowa City Mayor Teague called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. 2. Welcome and Introductions: I b I CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City. Iowa S2240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www-kgov.org City of Iowa City City Council present: Alter, Bergus, Harmsen, Moe, Salih (4:58pm), Weilein Johnson County Board of Supervisors: Green -Douglass (via Zoom), Fixmer-Oraiz, Remington, Sullivan City of Coralville City Council: Goodrich, Huynh (via Zoom), Vogelzang City of North Liberty City Council Hoffinan City of Tiffin City Council: Orris City of Universi . Heights City Council: From Iowa City Community School District School Board: Abraham, Eastham, Finch, Lingo Staff members from the school districts and local governments were in attendance along with members of the public. 3. Community Comment: The following individuals appeared: Mary McCann, Eva Castro (via translator), Ruby Caseves, Elida Coutreras (via translator), Alejandra Escobar. 4. Local Option Sales Tax (LOST): Mackenzie DeRoo, Senior Director of Advocacy at Greater Iowa City Inc., on behalf of the Local Makes Sense campaign team, provided an update on the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) campaign in Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty. • The campaign, called "Make Sense", encourages voters to vote yes for the local option sales tax. • Discussions about the tax began a year ago, with full campaign efforts launching in August once all three cities confirmed ballot placement. • An executive committee was formed including staff from Greater Iowa City, Think Iowa City, affordable housing leaders, and community champions from each city. • The campaign has conducted 50+ presentations to local groups and received strong support unanimous or near -unanimous endorsements from all three city councils, school boards, and council candidates. • Outreach efforts include: o Ads on streaming, social media, and radio. o A direct mailer to likely voters. October 20, 2025 Page 2 o Upcoming text reminders and literature drops by volunteers. o Collaboration with local candidates distributing campaign materials. Public response has been very positive, with no organized opposition. Even previous opponents are reconsidering due to shifts in state and federal funding. The campaign has been endorsed by The Gazette and is seeking additional media support from other local outlets. Over the final two weeks, efforts will focus on voter outreach and media engagement leading up to Election Day, November 4. 5. Permanent Supportive Housing discussion: Crissy Canganelli, Shelter House Executive Director, introduced Amy Stetzel, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CHS) Midwest Director, and CSH Senior Program Manager, Gabriel Schuster who presented a PowerPoint on the following: What is Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)? • Definition (from Iowa stakeholders): PSH is evidence -based, low -barrier, affordable housing combined with flexible, voluntary support services for individuals with complex behavioral, physical health, or social needs. • Core Principles: o Deeply affordable housing + supportive services o Tenant autonomy and legal lease protections o No "housing readiness" requirements (e.g., sobriety or treatment compliance) o Minimal barriers and voluntary participation • Not: o A treatment program or group home o Time -limited housing Quality Standards: • Must be integrated into the community • Offer tenant choice and affordable rent • Include voluntary, person -centered services • Follow fidelity standards proven to end chronic homelessness Evidence and Local Impact National Outcomes: • 52% decline in incarceration rates • 83% remain housed for 1+ year • 57% fewer ER visits • 87% fewer detox service uses Local (Johnson County/Shelter House): • 68-73% decline in arrests and incarcerations after housing • 99% tenant retention after one year (many remain housed long-term) • Only 1 of 93 tenants since 2019 returned to homelessness • 74-99% reductions in individual healthcare costs • 78% reduction in ER visits exceeding national averages Needs Assessment Findings (CSH Analysis) • Current PSH Capacity: o —190 total units in Johnson County ■ 60 single -site units (Shelter House) ■ 130 scattered -site units supported by vouchers ■ Veterans' supportive housing at —55% utilization o Overall utilization = 90%, exceeding the national average of 84%. October 20, 2025 Page 3 Estimated Need: o —300 total additional PSH units needed ■ 261 for single adults ■ 36 for families with children Municipal Distribution • Current Support (scattered -site + rapid rehousing + prevention): o North Liberty: 62 households o Coralville: 174 households o Iowa City: 400+ households • Funding Impact: o Significant investment made through COVID-era funding o Funding cliffs approaching (by 2027) will threaten support for 105 households o HUD policy changes could jeopardize housing for 84 households Challenges Identified • Tight, inelastic local housing market limits expansion opportunities • Time -intensive development process for new units • Expiring federal/state funds threaten program stability • HUD policy shifts may risk existing supportive housing units Next Steps • Continue needs assessment through spring/summer 2025, refining data and projections • Conduct additional stakeholder engagement sessions (including law enforcement, healthcare, and behavioral health sectors) • Develop recommendations and implementation plans for meeting PSH needs • Encourage community and municipal investment to sustain and expand PSH programs Additional Notes • The Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) has not yet been directly engaged but may be a valuable partner due to its data on homeless and doubled -up students. • CSH recommends involving schools in future stages to improve outreach and identify families in need of supportive housing. 6. Proposed Dates and Hosts for future Joint Entities Meetings Members made no objection to the following schedule: • January 12, 2026: North Liberty • April 20, 2026: University Heights • July 20, 2026: Johnson County • October 19, 2026: Iowa City Community School District • January 11, 2027: Coralville • April 19, 2027: Iowa City 7. Announcements No announcements were made. 8. Adjournment Mayor Teague adjourned the meeting at 5:22 p.m.