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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-26 CorrespondenceMarian Karr From: Marian Karr Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2015 10:29 AM To: Barbara Beaumont (bgbeaumont@gmail.com) Subject: PYR Attachments: 20150129101639901. pdf Here is the information form the joint meeting on Monday. North Liberty gave a verbal report and stated they will be sending hard copy. I will send a copy to you when I receive it. Marian K. Karr, MMC City Clerk Affordable Housing in Coralville Owner Occupied Rehabilitation f CORALVILLE Through successful competitive applications for Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) funds, the City of Coralville has provided forgivable loans for owner -occupied rehabilitation for single family homes being used as the principal residence. To date, 26 qualified homeowners have benefitted from up to $24,999 in repair or rehabilitation work. This work maintains existing affordable housing stock within a targeted area between 5'^ Street and 8th Street, and between 1't Avenue and 14th Avenue. City of Coralville matching funds have totaled $82,999. In the target area, the average assessed value of homes in 2010 was $74,700 and the average year of construction was 1960. Habitat for Humanity Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has built 16 homes in Coralville for families in need of safe, decent, affordable housing. An additional home in Coralville has been purchased by Habitat for Humanity for renovation and sale to a qualifying family. Discussions continue for the sale of a City -owned lot to Habitat for Humanity for construction of an additional home. Single Family New Construction The Single Family New Construction Program, a disaster recovery program through the Iowa Economic Development Authority, provided 17 new homes in Coralville. Homes were built and sold at or below $180,000 and required applicants to be at or below 80% of the Johnson County median income. This program provided 25% down payment assistance through a forgivable loan on a newly constructed home. Low Income Housing Tax Credits Coralville Senior Residences (formerly Coral Village) on 51h Street is an independent senior living community offering 57 units for residents who meet federal qualifications including age and income restrictions. Coralville Senior Residences is supported by Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Housing Choice Voucher Program The Housing Choice Voucher Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Iowa City Housing Authority. Voucher Utilization in Coralville as of 1/31/2014 Total Population: 18,907 (2010 Census) Percent of Johnson County Incorporated Population: 17.2% Total Vouchers: 199 Percent of Total Vouchers: 17.0% Households without Minors: 102 Percent Total Vouchers Households without Minors: 51.3% Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County Since 2007, the City of Coralville has provided $120,000 from the general fund to the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County. These funds are used to leverage state grants and to support the Trust Fund's mission of promoting and supporting affordable housing in Johnson County and the vision of access to safe, decent and affordable housing for all in Johnson County. Shelter House Lodge Facility In 2014, Shelter House acquired and rehabilitated an existing property in Coralville for a group home for chronically mentally ill persons transitioning to permanent supportive housing. Western Hills Mobile Home Estates The City of Coralville accessed Community Development Block Grant funds of $600,000, matched by nearly $393,000 in local funds, to provide municipal wastewater services to Western Hills Mobile Estates, providing residents with a reliable, long-term wastewater treatment solution. r%. Senior Living Cooperative Ewing Land Development is developing a 60 -unit, three story independent senior living facility, Vintage Cooperative of Coralville, at the northwest corner of Kennedy Parkway and Camp Cardinal Boulevard. The project's mortgage is insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which will also supervise construction. Residents of Coralville who move into this senior housing facility, as well as the Coral Ridge Senior Apartments, are anticipated to sell their homes within the community, freeing up affordable housing for other families. Workforce Housing Tax Credits The Iowa Legislature created the Workforce Housing Tax Credit program in 2014. Final administrative rules are being finalized and adopted and the program will be administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The Workforce Housing Tax Credits will provide up to a 10% tax credit for repair or renovation of dilapidated housing stock. Eligible housing remains affordable based on the limitation of total project costs of $200,000 per unit. The program also requires a local match of $1,000 per unit. City staff have identified vacant and underutilized properties that could benefit from this program. Down Payment Assistance The City of Coralville is exploring a down payment assistance program in partnership with local non-profit housing organizations. With affordable home mortgage rates, home ownership can be as affordable as apartment rentals; assistance with down payments would remove one of the final barriers to ownership. Current discussions include a revolving loan fund for down payment assistance funded by the City. The program may also include any needed renovations of older homes as they become available. Coral Ridge Senior Apartments Planning continues for demolition of the former Lantern Park Nursing Home and construction of Coral Ridge Senior Apartments, a 58 -unit senior living facility, using Housing Tax Credits through the Iowa Finance Authority. This effort will remove a vacant, blighted building and replace it with senior housing located close to grocery stores, places of worship, parks, the Coralville Public Library, and more. Construction is expected to begin in 2016. Johnson County January 22, 2015 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Pat Harney, Chairperson Janelle Rettig Mike Carberry Rod Sullivan Terrence Neuzil The Board of Supervisors met with staff and several affordable housing professionals on January 7th. The meeting included discussion of various housing issues, reviewing current County support provided to the continuum of housing needs (emergency shelter, transitional housing, rental and homeownership) and recommendations provided through the MPOJC in the past. The Board of Supervisors recognizes the significant need to increase the availability of affordable housing in Johnson County. In Fiscal Year 2015, the County is providing the following support to various aspects of the continuum of housing: Shelter: / DVIP: $63,500 / Shelter House: $55,000 / Shelter House/Local Homeless Coordinating Board: $16,000 (flex funding) Rental: / General Assistance: $24,700 utilities + $408,000 rent / $18,000 rent and emergency services for families involved in child welfare system. ► Veterans Affairs: $68,783 for rental assistance and $4,250 for utility assistance 0 Indirect: salary and benefits for director who assists veterans in accessing housing programs and other types of assistance. (approximately $64,000) Home Ownership: / $40,000 to HTFJC for repair of mobile homes (FY 13 and 14) / HTFJC grant from Federal Home Loan Bank for home repair / Rules for clustered sub -division that encourage smaller lots, more green space. Other: / Housing Trust Fund: $24,000 FY 15 total: $682,233 - Direct payments of County general funds 913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET ♦ IOWA CITY, IA 52240 ♦ 319.356.6000 PHONE ♦ 319.356.6036 FAX www.JOHNSON-COUNTY.com ♦ johnsoncountyia.igm2.com As part of the discussion, the current Board of Supervisors agreed to the following goals in the area of affordable housing: Goal #1: The Board hopes to maintain at least current levels of support for housing initiatives and support. This is consistent with County support for these or similar programs for at least the past five years. While Johnson County has been able to maintain this funding during the recent economic downturn, cuts at the State and Federal level may impact our ability to do so in the future. Goal #2: The County owns several pieces of property, particularly in the Riverfront Crossings District in Iowa City. The Board of Supervisors commits to considering creative ways that the properties can be used to address the need for affordable housing while also meeting the facilities needs of Johnson County government in a financially responsible manner. Goal #3: The Board is open to exploring the use of general obligation bonds to offer as loans to housing entities for the development or maintenance of affordable housing. The County has not done this in the past but Supervisors look forward to learning about the feasibility of assisting housing in this way. Goal #4: The Board of Supervisors will work the County Planning and Zoning Department to explore ways in which County ordinances may support the development of more affordable housing. Goal #5: The Board of Supervisors supports ongoing discussions with area cities and is open to exploring ways that the County can partner with other entities to help support affordable housing. The County would consider supporting projects by: o Entertaining requests for letters of support; o Technical assistance from County departments; o Matching funds if requested during the County budgeting process or when "flex funding grants" are offered during the fiscal year; o Work with communities to identify alternative sources of revenue and support. Collaboration, development of revenue sources and other progress on affordable housing requires ongoing discussion and education. Local governments should develop ways to support and participate in these discussions. Goal #6: Because housing should be safe as well as affordable, the Board will renew its efforts to develop a program to address hazardous mobile homes in the unincorporated Johnson County.