Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-23 HAC MIN MINUTES HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION Wednesday, March 23, 1994 Conference Room 2 3 : 30 p.m. Public Services Building CALL TOiORDER/ROLL CALL i PRESENT: Chairman Casillas, de Jesus Chantengco, Dennison ABSENT: King (Excused) Helton (Excused) STAFF: Housing Coordinator Arroyo, Community Development Specialist I Martinez, Administrative Office Assistant II Gonzalez EX-OFFICIO: Mich Thompson (absent) 1. INTRODUCTIONS - Mr. Arroyo introduced Heidi-Jane Hoag from the Fair Housing Council. She is the Community Education Coordinator, she will be speaking ion fair housing laws. MSC (Dennison/de Jesus Chantengco) (3-0-2 Helton, King absent) to approve February i23, 1994 minutes. 2. SAN DIEGO FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL - REPORT Mr. Arroyo stated that Heidi Hoag would be speaking on Fair Housing services and laws. The Fair Housing services that are being provided are services which are, mandated, by the federal government as a condition for the City to receive ODBG and Home funds. Ms. Hoag thanked the Commission for inviting her to speak on this issue. She presented some background on the Fair Housing Council. It was organized in 1989. HUD coordinated an audit in San Diego, which they contracted with the Urban League of San Diego. Sixty five sites were chosen throughout the city and a black/white audit was conducted. The results were forty to forty two percent, of the black perspective tenants experience discrimination. Discrimination ranged from different security deposits, different rental rates, stating nothing was available, etc. Based on the results of that audit, HUD demanded that in order for the San Diego Housing Commission continue �to receive federal monies they had to establish some form of Fair Housing Program. The Fair Housing Commission was set up, and from that a non- profit organization was established which is the San Diego Fair Housing Council Ms. Hoag also stated they had a hot-line which citizens of San Diego and Chula Vista could call and find out about housing discrimination, whether they be landlord, managers, r.ealtors, or tenants. Ms. Hoag specifically touched on the Fair Housing audit. The decision to do an audit was based on two reasons: (1) Under the mandates to receive any type of federal money, the city needed to show that the city was affirmably furthering fair housing. (2) The second reason to perform audits was to find out discrimination occurrence. The program specifically tried to find out what type of discrimination was occurring and to what extent. The Fair Housing law protects against differential treatment of protected classes, which is race, national origin, gender, family status, disability, and marital status. The most prevalent type of discrimination involves African American citizensiand families with children. Both of these groups are protected classes under Fair Housing law. Ms. Hoag stated that in the previous year, the San Diego Fair Housing Council performed an audit that was based on I I Hispanic testers versus white testers. During that audit evidence came out there was 'discrimination occurring, specifically involving families with children. ; Member Casillas asked how strong does Fair Housing feel about the results in the sense of defending in some forward action? Ms. Hoag commented that the results of this audit was not shocking. What was experience was subtle discrimination, situations like testers told of different amounts of rent, availability of units, and discouraged from renting. The result of this would be to educate the landlords and or managers on Fair Housing laws. Mr. Arroyo asked Ms. Hoag. to explain how cases end up in court. Ms. Hoag explained that a person discriminated against had three different options: 1) they could file a private suit with an attorney in federal court; 2) they could file with an enforcement agency (HUD) ; 3) they could file with the statelagency (Department of Fair Employment Housing; 4) or they could file with the epartment of Justice. Member de Jesus Chantengco asked what percentage of the Fair Housing effort was geare to educate owners, and landlords. Ms. Hoag stated that education is a very important component of the process, 700 of heir time was to educate landlords, managers, and realtors, and also to educate the consumer. Member Casillas suggested that Ms. Hoag speak at Pacific Southwest Association of Realtor's meeting to educate them on Fair Housing laws. Ms. Hoag 'stated that San Diego Fair Housing Council specific purpose initially was only to deal with Fair Housing. Landlord/tenant services deal with everything else such as, security deposits, rent, etc. The majority phone calls the office received deal with landlord/tenant problems. Mr. Arroyo asked who were the volunteers that performed the audits and how were the recruited? Ms. Hoag stated she advertized in.the paper at the universities, specifically recruiting graduate students. People that are genuinely interested in the cause and issue are the best testers. 3. 1914 HOME PROGRAM DESCRIPTION/APPLICATION Mr. Arroyo presented the Home Program Description/Application submitted to HUD. The City is in line to receive $652, 000 from HUD, which requires that the City put together a program description, estimated use of funds, which could al ays be changed. It is understood that once the City has a project in line, the City could amend the use of funds. The amendment could be done locally ithout HUD's approval. Member Casillas asked what is the current expenditure for this year against this program? Mr. Arroyo responded that the first year the City received a total of $750,000, the second year the City received $490,000. Based on past allocations, the City had received a total of $1.2 million. Of that, the City had committed approximately $700,000 which was used for the short term housing for homeiess families on Fourth Avenue. Currently the City has $500, 000 available from this year. The City of Chula Vista has one of the higher levels of expenditure than most of any other cities. This constituted an expenditure of about 60% of the funds the City had already received. Upon using the monies, the City might be entitled to received more money. Mr. Arroyo slated that the City is looking at three projects that would be brought I to the Commission prior to it getting into a formal level. Staff is looking at the acquisition of the Bayscene Mobile Home Park as one potential project, Trolley Terrace Project which is under the Palomar Trolley Center Project, and for a first time home buyer program to complement the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program (MCC) . As these projects are further developed they would be brought to the Commission for review. Member Cas illas asked how far is the City from doing the next Housing Element? Mr. Arroyo stated that the next Housing Element update will take place in 1996. 4. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION SCHEDULE - Mr. Martinez discussed the schedule with the Commissioners regarding the CDBG application process. Mr. Martinez stated that the City will be receiving $1,812, 000 this year for CDBG, 15% percent of that would be used for social services. Mr. Martinez presented to the Commissioners the CDBG schedule and the list of all proposals which the City received requesting funding. Within those proposals, Mr. Martinez pointed out the housing-related proposals. Mr. Martinez suggested that the Commissioners go over the housing related proposals. At next months meeting, Mr. Martinez will ask for the Commissioners input and recommendation regarding the funding of these housing proposals. 5. ORAL COMMENTS - None 6. STAFF REPORTS - None 7. MEMBERS COMMENTS - Member Casillas asked if the Commissioners would have some type of funding to attend housing seminars, etc.? Mr. Arroyo) stated he would look into that. MSC (de Jesus Chantengco/Dennison) (3-0-2 Helton, King absent) to excuse Helton due to her being out of town and to excuse Ring due to illness. s. ADJOURNMENT - At 4:50 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled April 27, 1994 in the Public Services Building. �o/1 ���?� > ecorder, licca Gonzales z [AG\C:\03-23-94.MIN]