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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-30 CorrespondenceMarian Karr 2e(1) From: Daniel Greenwald <greenwalddan@outlook.com> Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 2:57 PM To: Council Subject: THE CLOSURE OF HOOVER SCHOOL As I am sure that all Council Members know, the Iowa City Board of Education has planned for the future closure of Hoover School on Iowa City's east side. I and many other Hoover -area residents have been very upset at the planned closure and destruction of Hoover. There has been much discussion as to how this will affect the education of area students. However, there is another aspect of this closure that has received very little attention, and I wish to write you about this aspect: CLOSING HOOVER SCHOOL IS JUST NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF IOWA CITY. Many Council Members have spoken for the need to maintain family -friendly neighborhoods within our city. Closing a viable neighborhood school in a substantial area of east Iowa City is not consistent with this goal. The Hoover area will not be as attractive to many of those considering relocation, and property values would undoubtedly drop. Hoover area students will be assigned to other schools where their safety will be compromised in many instances as they walk greater and more treacherous distances to new schools. If Hoover is closed, the precedent for closure of other neighborhood schools will have been set. I am sick and tired of our city losing local businesses and stores to nearby cities. Now we are in danger of losing a viable school due in no small part to the efforts of residents of nearby cities. It is time to draw the line. I realize that the Council has no direct input into School Board decisions and that some might say that the Council has no business sticking its nose into School Board business. However, this closure decision is so contrary to the future of a vibrant Iowa City that I think that the Council should at least officially weigh in on this issue with the Board. I would hope that the Iowa City Council would urge the Board of Education to keep Hoover School open. Daniel H. Greenwald 438 Garden Street, Iowa City Marian Karr 2e(2) From: Jason Havel Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 7:05 PM To: 'Nancy Davin' Cc: Jon Resler; Kent Ralston; Council Subject: RE: Suggestion Ms. Davin, Thank you for your e-mail regarding the intersection of Scott Blvd/First Ave/ACT entrance. Previously, we've undertaken a planning level review to determine if a roundabout is feasible in this location. While this review indicates a roundabout may work in this location, funding is not in place to proceed with design and construction at this time. However, the City regularly evaluates available grants and other funding opportunities for City projects, and the work completed to date could be used to apply for funding as opportunities become available. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me, thanks. Jason Havel, P.E. City Engineer City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Phone: (319) 356-5410 Fax: (319) 356-5007 From: Jon Resler Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 2:17 PM To: 'Nancy Davin'; Council; Kent Ralston; Jason Havel Subject: RE: Suggestion Ms. Davin Thank you for the suggestion. I am forwarding your request to the City's Planning and Engineering groups for review and consideration. Respectfully, Jon Jon Resler, P.E. Superintendent of Streets and Traffic Engineering City of Iowa City 3800 Napoleon Lane Iowa City, Iowa 52240 319-356-5482 From: Nancy Davin [mailto:nancy.davin@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 2:10 PM To: Council; Jon Resler Subject: Suggestion Greetings, I'd like to suggest that the City of Iowa City revise the intersection of Scott Blvd/First Ave/ACT entrance to that of a roundabout similar in size or larger to the roundabout at the intersection of Coralville's Holiday Road and First Avenue (and not the smaller Holiday Road and 12th Ave). During peak traffic periods, traffic at the Scott Blvd/First Ave intersection can get backed up nearly back to Dodge Street causing lengthy delays, in addition to a lot of braking and accelerating. A roundabout would encourage much smoother traffic flow. I know people either love or hate roundabouts. I have grown to completely appreciate the incredible difference this has made at the Holiday Road/First Ave intersection and I hope this can be considered in Iowa City. I would encourage you to have staff to look in to this possibility. Many thanks, Nancy Davin Iowa City, IA 52240 11-30-15 2e(3) Marian Karr From: Derek Johnk <derek.johnk@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, November 16, 2015 11:31 AM To: Geoff Fruin Cc: Council; Zac Hall; Thomas McInerney; docnyren@aol.com; schweitzerdeanne@yahoo.com; Marcia Bollinger Subject: Re: Highland Park Improvements Thanks very much, Geoff and Zac! I really appreciate the attention! It sounds like we're all on the same page, in that it's simply very difficult to allocate funds for the playground equipment right now. I'd love to meet with you and Zac in the spring, as decisions are made for those allocations. We can't wait to see the new improvements already planned. Again, big thanks to Zac for "finding a way" on all this thus far. I really appreciate it a lot! On Mon, Nov 16, 2015 at 9:33 AM, Geoff Fruin <Geoff-FruinAiowa-city. org> wrote: Hi Derek, Thank you for your continued interest in the Highland Park improvement project. We appreciate the neighborhood's strong involvement and interest in the park. I have reviewed the notes from the September 14"' neighborhood meeting and also visited the park with Zac Hall to discuss the plans for additional improvements this spring. As you are aware, the City has a few more upgrades to install in the spring including a water fountain and a see -saw. It is my understanding the neighborhood funds and the PIN grant are to be used for a new walkway, which was the neighborhood's top priority. We plan to get quotes on that paving project this winter and install the pathway in the spring. The improvements at the park to date have been made possible without dedicated park funding. The new shelter was pulled from our inventory, the swings were repurposed from Mercer Park, and the new sign is park of an ongoing effort to replace all park signage in the community. We will be able to add the water fountain and see -saw to further enhance the park. Unfortunately, a new playground structure is going to far exceed the $10,000 you requested in your email below. Based on recent installations at similar neighborhood parks the cost will likely be $35,000 or more. The Parks Department does have discretionary funding for park improvements, but will need to weigh your request with other needs in the system. As we get closer to the planned spring improvements we can explore this option in more detail with you. You can certainly make a request of the City Council at any upcoming meeting. There is a public comment portion of the agenda, which allows individuals or groups to address the Council on any topic of interest. Please let me know if you have any questions. Again, we appreciate your interest in the park and look forward to continuing discussions on how we strengthen it in the coming years. Sincerely, Geoff Fruin Assistant City Manager ICity of Iowa City P: 319.356.5013 Web I Facebook ITwitter From: Derek Johnk [mailto:derek johnkagmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 10:13 AM To: Council Cc: Zac Hall; Thomas McInerney; docnyrenaaol.com; schweitzerdeanne(&yahoo.com; Marcia Bollinger Subject: Highland Park Improvements Hello, I am the Chairman of the Lucas Farms Neighborhood Association, Over the past couple years, we have worked with the Parks and Recreation Department to bring improvements to our small neighborhood park (Highland Park). In 2014 and 2015, we have held multiple fundraisers to make improvements to our park. As it stands, we currently have $5000 in a PIN grant (awarded in 2014), as well as approximately $3000 raised by our neighborhood. We have worked with Mike Moran and Zac Hall, and to that end, have received a new swing set, and shelter, with plans already in motion to install a water fountain, walk path, and some small additional (spare) equipment at the park in spring 2016. Working with Mike and Zac has been very fruitful, and I would like to personally thank both of them for their efforts thus far. Zac in particular has been invaluable in finding resources, and help make our vision a reality. We have decided to ask the Parks department to use our existing available funds to build a walk path at Highland Park, which will hopefully break ground in the spring. Unfortunately though, due to limited funds in the parks budget, our hopes for adding playground equipment at the north end of the park have not come to fruition. Our neighborhood would like to see about having approximately $10,000 committed to purchasing and installing this playground equipment as soon as possible. I would like an opportunity to present this proposal to the City Council at either the January or February City Council Meeting. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks! Derek Johnk 1405 Keokuk Street Iowa City IA 52240 c. 319.573.6451 Derek Johnk 1405 Keokuk Street Iowa City IA 52240 c. 319.573.6451 2e(4) Marian Karr From: Nancy Bird <nancy@downtowniowacity.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 2:48 PM To: Council Cc: Geoff Fruin; Ritu Jain Subject: Washington Street support requested Attachments: TCDD Construction Support Proposal 11.2015.pdf Mayor Hayek and City Council, Please find attached a memo regarding the East Washington Street construction project planned for next year. We appreciate your consideration of the requests that the Iowa City Downtown District believes will help those businesses most impacted by construction "survive and thrive" during this time period. We look forward to the upcoming December 3rd Open House on the project and hope to see you there. As usual, thank you for your consideration and staffs attention to these matters. Sincerely, Nancy Bird Executive Director Iowa City Downtown District downtowniowacit, November 17. 2015 Mayor Hayek and City Council Tom Markus and Geoff Fruin City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Mayor Hayek and City Council Members, Downtown Iowa City is about to undergo a major streetscape transformation starting with construction on East Washington Street next year. Members of the Iowa City Downtown District are excited on many fronts about the updates to our local infrastructure and strengthening of Downtown amenities that will come with the implementation of the 2014 Streetscape Update Plan. These improvements are necessary and positive and we are very supportive and grateful for the significant investment the City is making to strengthen the core of Downtown Iowa City. As the 2016 construction schedule draws closer, our local independent businesses are naturally becoming increasingly nervous about inevitable revenue loss related to construction impacts of the project. If not dealt with in a sensitive manner, construction impacts may tip businesses with already narrow margins into permanent closure. We are interested in closely collaborating with City staff to help minimize short-term impacts to businesses and ensure strong two-way communications between the general contractor and business proprietors. After discussions with Washington Street owners and membership across the TCDD, we ask the City consider the following requests. We feel like there is still more communication and decision making around the final project that needs to be conducted and these items will help. Our goal is to work with the City to help businesses on Washington Street "survive" so that they can truly thrive when the project is done. General Requests: Consultant selection should not be based on lowest cost alone — The winning contractor should be chosen based on equally weighted scores of proven experience in strong communications, ability to balance day and over night construction shifts as needed to keep access points open, strong project management skills, proven results, and ability to reduce project duration, as well as low cost. Limit Duration - The City should be able to communicate and demonstrate that every avenue to reduce the duration of the construction on Washington Street has been Iowa City Downtown District 14'h S. Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 319-354-0863 explored. Construction schedule milestones should be discussed with each proprietor and communicated publicly. Incentives and penalties should be a tool to ensure deadlines are met. General Contractor Requests: 1. Construction will not result in any business having to close for any length of time during normal operating hours. 2. A balance of overnight and day construction (3 shift capacity) should be requested to reduce the duration of the project and lesson noise and dust impacts on operating businesses. We recognize that a limited workforce could be an issue, but the request should be made regardless. 3. Reducing noise and dust (no jack hammers, etc.) over the lunch hour (12pm to 1 pm) should be honored to ensure pedestrian customers are not driven away from lunch spots or errand running. 4. Assign a senior project manager with authority and good interpersonal skills as a point of contact to communicate directly with business owners on the street. Ensure that this staff is available by cell or in person at all times during construction. 5. Instruct construction employees to park personal vehicles off site. No hoods should be permitted over available street meters in any location downtown during this process except on areas in the immediate construction zone. All working construction vehicles should locate only within the staging area. Business Relief, Communications, and Support Requests: 1. Tax relief — City services will not be fully available for property and business owners along Washington during project construction. We respectfully request the City consider property tax relief of 10% for properties with retail operators (soft good and restaurants) for the duration of the project. This will support independent businesses by lowering triple net leases when sales and income dip during this period. This tax relief on Washington Street totals roughly $35,000 (ranging from $1,200 - $4,000 per business over an estimated 8 months). We recognize there is no precedent for this in the City, but there should and could be moving forward. There is much good will to be had for a AAA bond rated City to care for local independent retail businesses that depend on drive-by or pedestrian traffic for their family income during construction periods. Using local retail as a parameter for future infrastructure projects is worthy of strong consideration. There hasn't been a unified neighborhood to come forward for this cause in the past and we hope to advocate it for all retail neighborhoods across the City in the future. 2. Parking Solutions — We request the City help with parking programs that may reduce consumer behavior changes resulting from construction. A program whereby each business on East Washington Street receives parking garage chits to provide customers free parking in the ramps or other similar programs would be very welcomed. 3. Communications — We would like the City to consider assigning a dedicated City staff with decision-making authority and strong interpersonal skills to the project to communicate and problem solve with business owners and the general contractor. Good Iowa City Downtown District 14 % S. Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 319-354-0863 communication will reduce construction duration and relieve stress on business owners and patrons. 4. Community messaging / construction fencing support — We request the City set aside additional communications budget in the streetscape project funds for "end cap" fencing (four plywood elements), banners, and artful displays that help sign that businesses are open during construction and that mask the construction chain link fence that will be put up at business door fronts. ICDD staff offers to support the management of this effort. Costs requested total $17,750 and include: a. Community engagement and materials of public art fence programming by Thomas Agran (cost = $4,550). b. Plywood endcaps, paint supplies, and signage by Thomas Agran (cost = $3,200). c. Print and digital announcements that encourage interest in the project and message to the community that businesses are open (cost = $10,000). We have discussed the fencing program with project consultants to ensure the program is feasible and will provide additional details directly to City staff. Thank you for the consideration of these requests and your partnership to date. We are open to discuss these or other ideas that emerge that would help businesses "survive and thrive" during this critical time in our City's history. Overall, we are excited to get moving on these improvements and to see implementation start to take place. We recognize the importance of the streetscape project for the community for years to come and we appreciate being a partner to it. Sincerely, Nancy Bird, AICP Ritu Jain Executive Director TCDD Board President Iowa City Downtown District Owner, Textiles Inc. Iowa City Downtown District 14'/2 S. Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 319-354-0863 2e(5) Marian Karr From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 4:25 PM To: Eleanor M. Dilkes; Marian Karr Subject: FW: 11.30 Strategic Planning Session -- Affordable Housing Priorities Attachments: JCAHC 11.30 Strategic Planning.docx Fyi. From: Sally Scott [mailto:salwah.scott@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 4:22 PM To: Tom Markus; Geoff Fruin; Simon Andrew; Jim Throgmorton; Susan Mims; Rockne Cole; Kingsley Botchway; Pauline Taylor; John Thomas; Terry Dickens; Rick Dobyns; Michelle Payne; Matt Hayek Subject: 11.30 Strategic Planning Session -- Affordable Housing Priorities To the Current and Elected City Council of Iowa City and the Office of the City Manager, On behalf of the Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition, I am pleased to submit to you our priorities for the City's Strategic Plan. We realize that you have many different programs and policies to consider at the November 30th Strategic Planning Session. Given the high percentage of housing cost -burdened households in Iowa City, we hope you will make increasing the supply of affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities a clear priority for 2016 and beyond. As I hope you know, our coalition also is working with other jurisdictions in Johnson County to increase the supply of affordable housing. This is a regional issue that requires innovative leadership from Iowa City as well as the other jurisdictions. Thank you for your public service, and have a very Happy Thanksgiving! Best, Sally Scott Chair, Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition JOHNSON COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOMES COALITION "ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS NEED AN AFFORDABLE HOME" November 23, 2015 Members of the City Council and the City Manager of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 RE: November 30th Strategic Planning Session Dear City Council Members and City Manager Markus: We appreciate the opportunity to offer our ideas for the Iowa City Strategic Planning Session taking place on November 301h. We are grateful that the City Council and City Manager have taken important initial steps to increase the supply of affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities in Iowa City. For example, in early 2015 City staff successfully convened a work group to develop principles for Inclusionary Housing in Riverfront Crossings. We look forward to supporting the ordinance that staff is developing based on the principles. Given this progress, one concern is that in the July 2015 Strategic Plan Status Report, there was mention of rehabilitation programs funded through the UniverCity, GRIP, CDBG and HOME programs, but no mention of broader initiatives to increase affordable housing. We hope that the November 301h Strategic Planning Session identifies specific affordable housing initiatives as priorities for the Council's work in 2016. We would like to suggest the following: 1) Pass an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance for Riverfront Crossings The ordinance should respect the principles developed by the working group and approved by the Council in 2015. If the ordinance is passed in a timely fashion, it will result in significant numbers of new affordable units, and serve as a model that could be used elsewhere in the City and the region. 2) Utilize the $1 million received from the developer of the Court/Linn site for specific affordable housing initiatives in Iowa City. The City's development agreement with CA Ventures, the developer of the Court/Linn site in Riverfront Crossings, indicates that the developer is contributing $1 million to the City for affordable housing. These funds should be deployed in 2016 in a manner that leverages additional local, state or federal funding. Given the high percentage of cost -burdened renters in Iowa City, creating new affordable rental units should be a priority. 3) Develop an Annexation Policy that promotes a mix of market -rate and affordable housing. As new land is annexed into Iowa City, there is a valuable opportunity to integrate affordable housing into market -rate developments. For example, this could involve offering tax abatements for rental units affordable to households at or below 60% of Area Median Income, as well as homeownership units for households at or below 100% of Area Median Income. Also Iowa City government should make it easier for developers to create cottage housing, generally understood to be a group of small houses (less than 1200 square feet in gross floor area) arranged around a common open space, with parking screened from public view. 4) Modify the Affordable Housing Location Model to permit the development of government -assisted affordable rental units in more parts of Iowa City. Currently the Affordable Housing Location Model, which is intended to prevent the concentration of affordable rental units, is also blocking the development of government -assisted affordable rental housing for families in much of Iowa City where land is available and affordable. We agree with not heavily concentrating government -assisted units. However we believe the current model has blocked too much land from the development of affordable units by responsible, experienced affordable housing developers. City staff has indicated that changes to the model are underway. We look forward to learning about those changes, and whether it will open up meaningful amounts of developable land. 5) Include the Housing Choice Voucher Program in the definition of Public Assistance Source of Income. A November 17th memorandum from the Human Rights Office to the Office of the City Manager recommends making it unlawful to discriminate against households that participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program. While this will not result in the creation of new affordable units, it does give households that participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program more and (we hope) better choices of housing they can afford. We hope you will adopt these priorities in the 2016-2017 Strategic Plan. We appreciate your existing support for affordable housing, and look forward to working with you. Sincerely, Sally J. Scott, Chair Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition Marian Karr From: WELSHBOB@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2015 9:23 AM To: Council Subject: Strategic Plan - November 30 I wish to share with you my thoughts relating to the Strategic Plan. I trust that there will be far more transparency. In looking at the last Strategic Plan for Iowa City the appearance is that staff input may have driven the conversation. The agenda for the November 30, 2015 session seems to focus a great deal on "review" and less on "identify new programs, policies, projects and initiatives." I realize the value of knowing the past but I would hope that looking to the future would be the main focus. I believe it would be wise for the new council to set up a series of meetings in various locations and with various population groups enlisting input after the November 30th session. This would suggest that the November session be to obtain staff input and input from the outgoing council members and then for the new council to have a series of meetings to involve all interested citizens. And then for the council to adopt the Strategic Plan. Also, I found lacking —measurable goals. Example: Safe streets — reducing the number of accidents by X %. Change in policing practices — reduction by x% of arrests for XX. Increase citizen involvement — X% of vacancies on boards and commissions filled after one announcement. Items I would hope the Council would consider: Governance: Informal Meetings: televised, one week prior to council's decision (after rather than before council meeting or a difference day), allow citizen input. Review and change as deemed advisable: Zoning ordinance, criteria for use of TIF, River Crossings Development of a policy to promote accessible affordable housing — with special attention to the needs of low income citizens, the disabled and the elderly community. Racial, social and ethnic diversity — adopt a strategy to help persons feel welcomed. Improved transportation — explore value of a regional consolidated system. Feasibility should not be determined by the staff of the cities. Public private partnerships — Ex. Are there various businesses that could adopt a park and make it handicap accessible? (I was impressed with John Thomas's statement that our parks are not accessible.) Aggressively enlist and utilize the expertise of the many professionals in the community. I think we have a lot of talent that is not being utilized. More dialogue with and cooperation among governmental and public entities. Work with the Greater Iowa City Convention Center and the Creative Corridor to promote the attributes of Iowa City/Johnson County as the ideal place to age successfully. Goals: Human Rights City Age Friendly Community/Livable Community Marian Karr From: Charlie Eastham <eastham@outlook.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2015 8:12 PM To: Council Cc: Jim Throgmorton Subject: Coalition for Racial Justice recommendations for the Iowa City Strategic Plan 11/24/2015 To the Iowa City Council, The Coalition for Racial Justice strongly urges the Council to consider the following recommendations regarding the Iowa City Strategic Plan at the strategic planning work session on November 30, 2015. Eliminating racial disproportionality in youth charges, traffic stops, and adult arrests by the Iowa City Police Department should be among the highest Strategic Plan priorities. The "City of Iowa City Equity Annual Report/September 2015" details current racial disproportionalities on pages 8-12. The report proposes showing improvement in reducing racial inequities over a period of 3-5 years with quarterly progress reports. The Strategic Plan priority should be to substantially eliminate racial disproportionality in youth charges, traffic stops, and adult arrests by the Police Department by the end of 2017 with monthly progress reports. The Council can direct the City Manager to achieve these goals and/or provide sufficient power to the Community Police Review Board to oversee a process of eliminating racial inequities. The Strategic Plan also needs to provide for expansion of the recently created Police Department community assistant position to two full time positions. These positions should not be held by sworn law enforcement officers. Rather, their primary responsibilities should include providing informal approaches for deescalating situations involving youth in neighborhoods, recreational facilities, and school settings. One of the community assistant positions should be held by a woman. For the Coalition for Racial Justice, Royceann Porter Charlie Eastham ilHoUsing Fellc Opening the doors of Johnson County 322 E. 2nd St. Iowa City, IA 52240 Office 319-358-9212 Fax 319-358-0053 November 25, 2015 Members of the City Council and the City Manager of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 RE: November 30" Strategic Planting Session Dear City Council Members and City Manager Markus: The Board of Trustees of The Housing Fellowship would like for Council members to consider the following suggestions at your Strategic Planning Session as you determine the Plan's priorities; • Adopt the definition of affordable housing that has been presented to the Regional Affordable Housing Committee (attached). The Corm--duee will re -consider the definition at its meeting on December 4. • Identify and when appropriate secure land that could be available for the development of affordable housing. • Utilize Residential TIF financing. • Connect the South East side by installing a pedestrian bridge across Highway G. As an active member of the Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition, we have reviewcd the letter submitted by Chau Sally Scott and fully support the Coalition's suggestions. Thank you for your consideration of our suggestions. (Sincerely, t� Dick Klausner, President Maryann Dennis, Executive Director Regional Affordable Housing, Johnson County August 2015 Definitions to Consider Affordable Housing: Housing is affordable for households with incomes at or below 80% of the HUD established Area Median Income if residents pay no more than 30% of their gross monthly income for either; rent, insurance and utilities or mortgage, principal, interest, insurance and homeowner fees. Housing Cost Burden: Residents are housing cost burden if they spend more than 30% of their gross monthly income on housing costs. Severe Housing Cost Burden: Residents are severely cost burdened if they spend more than 50% of the gross monthly income on housing costs. Work Force Housing: Work force housing is determined by household income, not by employment. Work Force Housing is generally accepted to mean households with incomes not to exceed 120% of the HUD determined median income based on household size. Income Qualified Households: Households/properties receiving public assistance for housing must have household incomes based on household size that meet the formulas mandated by the funding source. Different public funding sources have different income requirements for recipients. Housing Choice Voucher: The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs), pursuant to federal regulations. The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program within their local jurisdiction. A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home. Fair Market Rent (FMR): The Fair Market Rent is the HUD determined amount that can be charged for a rental property that receives public assistance.