22 November 2018

IMPORTANT Mesa Council Study Session Thu 15 Nov 2018

Members of the City Council are definitely 'sending signals' and messages what they are looking for . . . they're looking for partners to provide solutions.  
LISTEN TO what the active members have to say (Chris Glover absent again) 
The City is a designated entitlement community and receives annual grants on a formula basis to provide funding to be used towards affordable housing, a suitable living environment, and expansion of economic opportunities, all principally for low- and moderate–income persons. 
H&CD holds an annual application process in which non-profits and developers may apply for funds to support eligible activities under the respective programs.

The annual application process culminates with the City Council determining the funding awards, subject to approval by HUD.
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) also conducts an annual process to receive and review proposals for the LIHTC Program.

The role of the City Council in the LIHTC process is to provide a letter indicating support or non-support for proposed projects in Mesa applying for LIHTC credits.
H&CD will review the proposed LIHTC projects and provide City Council with a report that identifies project merits, as well as compliance with requirements established in the City’s Consolidated Plan and the City’s Housing Master Plan. 
Timeline Application Process, Submission Deadline to City, Technical Review by Staff 12/21,
(H & CD Advisory Board -  Community & Cultural Development (CCD) Committee) 
30-Day Public Comment N/A TBD
Published: 15 Nov 2018
Views: 21
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The item under discussion is this one:
File #: 18-1315   
Type: Presentation Status: Agenda Ready
In control: City Council Study Session
On agenda: 11/15/2018
Title: Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on the Housing and Community Development FY 2019/20 funding application process.
Attachments: 1. Presentation, 2. Council Report
 ________________________________________________________________________________
Here is the 2-page Council Report:
City Council Report
Date: November 15, 2018

To: City Council
Through: Natalie Lewis, Deputy City Manager
                Ruth Giese, Community Services Director
From: Elizabeth Morales, Housing and Community Development Director
Subject: Housing and Community Development FY 2019/2020 Application Funding Process


Purpose and Recommendation
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Housing and Community and Development (H&CD) funding process for fiscal year (FY) 2019/2020 and receive direction on the items presented.

H&CD requests direction from the City Council on the following:
FY 19/20 Funding Process Timelines – timelines for the awarding of U.S. Housing and Urban Development program funds for the following activities: 

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
HOME Investments Partnership Program (HOME)
Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG)
Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC)
City of Mesa Human Services funds (combination of General Funds and Utility Donations).

Background and Discussion
The City is a designated entitlement community and receives annual grants on a formula basis to provide funding to be used towards affordable housing, a suitable living environment, and expansion of economic opportunities, all principally for low- and moderate–income persons. 
H&CD holds an annual application process in which non-profits and developers may apply for funds to support eligible activities under the respective programs.

The annual application process culminates with the City Council determining the funding awards, subject to approval by HUD.
The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) also conducts an annual process to receive and review proposals for the LIHTC Program.

The role of the City Council in the LIHTC process is to provide a letter indicating support or non-support for proposed projects in Mesa applying for LIHTC credits.
H&CD will review the proposed LIHTC projects and provide City Council with a report that identifies project merits, as well as compliance with requirements established in the City’s Consolidated Plan and the City’s Housing Master Plan.
{00292596.1} 2
The following is the proposed timeline for the upcoming FY 19/20 Funding Timeline Process:

(Please open the attachment provided above)
Note: Applications already opened for LIHTC and HOME funds on November 5th



Alternatives
1. Approve the FY 19/20 federal funding and human services process timeline which meets needed timing guidelines set by HUD as set forth above.
2. Provide an alternate timeline more suitable with City Council priorities.
3. Deny approval of the FY 19/20 federal funding and human services process timeline which could result in the City missing deadlines established by HUD with possible impacts to future funding allocations.


Fiscal Impact
Congress has not yet finalized federal funding allocations for FY 19/20; however, current allocation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for CDBG, HOME, and ESG funding is used as a guideline and for planning purposes. 
Estimates of FY 19/20 federal funding are as follows:
CDBG $3,634,821

HOME $1,451,891
ESG $   288,990


LIHTC Timeline
HOME Timeline
CDBG, ESG, Human Services                              Timeline Application Process Opens 11/5 11/5 12/10 Submission Deadline to City 12/27 1/16 1/16 Technical Review by Staff 12/21-1/2 1/22-31 1/22-31 H & CD Advisory Board 1/3 2/26-27 2-/26-27 Community & Cultural Development (CCD) Committee 2/14 TBD TBD 30-Day Public Comment N/A TBD TBD Council Study Session 2/28 TBD TBD





_________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Meeting Details
Please note: this meeting's minutes have not been finalized yet. Actions taken on legislation and their results are not available
Meeting Name: City Council Study Session Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 11/15/2018 7:30 AM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: Council Chambers - Lower Level
Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Not available  
Meeting video:  
Attachments:
File #Agenda #TypeTitleActionResultAction Details
18-1315 2-aPresentationHear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on the Housing and Community Development FY 2019/20 funding application process.  Not available
18-1314 2-bPresentationHear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on guidelines and standards for residential small lot and cluster development.  Not available
18-1310 3-aMinutesHousing and Community Development Advisory Board meeting held on October 4, 2018.  Not available
18-1318 3-bMinutesEconomic Development Advisory Board meeting held October 2, 2018.  Not available
18-1321 3-cMinutesHuman Relations Advisory Board meetings held on August 22 and September 26, 2018.  Not available



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Mayor John Giles addresses LIHTC and when decisions are made, asking if it is a separate process . . . City Manager Chris Brady chimes in, then Giles again saying he would like to see the city doing more affordable housing - wants the city to be more proactive and more assertive. Mark Freeman chimes in about spreading LIHTC throughout the city that may not be close to light rail....then Chris Brady chimes in again with remarks about built-in services wraparound services for residents....then Councilmember Heredia on a mix of affordable and market-rate housing . . . and then Chris Brady again bringing up Mesa Royale.
Late December is the deadline for submissions of applications
Input: Mark Freeman
Innovation/Technology Districts
(National Guard Armory is now vacant...CoWorking Space? or re-purposing.
Visit to Brooklyn Navy Yard a couple of years ago
Input: David Luna on-the-phone
Look at East Mesa
Input: Giles again about other areas with substandard housing
Mentions the Armory again...land-swap proposal????
Priority suggested by Giles=look at the most vulnerable where money gets leveraged in partnerships with non-profits and schools where 'we can get the biggest bang for the buck for it)
Input: Kevin Thompson
Casitas @ Buckhorn Baths turned into ______?

Input: Heredia CHODO
Home ownership opportunities? "new and innovative ways"

Input: KT again 

 

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