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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-27 HAC MIN . . . MINUTES HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday October 27, 1993 3:30 p.m. Conference 2 Public Services Building 276 Fourth Avenue, C.V. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chairman Casillas, Maggie Helton, Dan Dennison ABSENT: J.R. de Jesus Chantengco, Allen King (Excused) STAFF: Housing Coordinator Arroyo, Community Development Specialist Martinez, Administrative Analyst Foland, Administrative Office Assistant II Gonzalez GUESTS: Merritt Hodson EX-OFFICIO: Mitch Thompson (absent) 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Minutes of September 29, 1993 were not approved due to some of the members who attended last meeting were not present at this meeting. 2. MORTGAGE CREDIT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM (MCC) - Juan Arroyo introduced Judy Foland who is in charge of the Mce Program and will be giving a status report. She explained that the department has roughly 156 MCC certificates available, 31 left for the 1991 allocation, and 125 available for the 1992 allocation. Judy stated that she will be attending a MCC kick-off training which the City of San Diego will be presenting. The presentation will be giving new rules and guidelines. In addition, she stated that she will be going to Oakland on November 4th and 5th for a MCC workshop. There are going to be IRS and Cal- Alfa representatives there, CDLAC are the co-sponsors of the workshop. She hopes to gain some insight and guidelines as to new income figures for Mec. As of yet they are still at their present rate, and she feels the need for the rates to possibly rise so that more people can qualify for the MCC Program. She stated that she has turned people away because they earn between $100 to $500 more than what they're allowed to earn. Judy feels the department can get more people interested and more involved in the program if the income levels were to rise. Judy would like to see an increase on MCC applicants, the more MCC's process the more money we get from IRS and that would be an asset to the City. Member Helton asked if this was the first time staff addressed this particular program to the committee? Juan Arroyo stated that staff has brought status reports on this issue. Member Helton asked how much has staff done to advertise to the community? Juan Arroyo stated that the main mechanism that staff has been using are the lenders that are aware of this program. Staff is encouraging more lenders to get involved so that they can get the word out regarding this program. Once staff gets some of the new guidelines and requirements of this program staff will get involved in a major marketing campaign. The sooner staff commits the MCC's the sooner staff has access for more funds. Juan also mentioned that the MCC Program is the only first time home buyer initiative that the City has available, staff plans to look at ways to incorporate assistance with silent seconds for people who don't have the down payment. Member Helton asked how much does the first time . . . home buyer need to put down on a home? Judy Foland stated that it varies on a case by case basis. Member Helton asked how does staff determined the targeted and the non-targeted areas? Juan stated that it is based on statistical information from the Census. The MCC Program allows more flexibility in the targeted areas. Chairman Casillas asked how many MCC's have been issued? Judy stated approximately 104 MCC's issued in 1991 and approximately 36 left. Staff received 125 MCC's for 1992. Judy explained that the department has a certain amount of time to use the MCC allocation or the department will lose the funds. She mentioned that staff has 44 lenders participating. Member Helton asked if this program has ever been published so young couples have more of a chance to buy a home? Judy stated that the lenders do a pretty good job of word of mouth. Member Helton mention that maybe staff should contact SDGE to get permission in putting flyers in with the SDGE bills so that more people would will be notified on the MCC Program. Chairman Casillas suggested that staff get together with a public affairs representative regarding getting out a publication regarding the MCC Program, and try to get lenders and or banks not participation in the program to get involved with the program. Member Helton mention that banks and lending institutions in the City not participating in this program, should be identified. Helton stated that staff should recommend to City Council that this be done. MSC (Helton/Dennison) (3-0-2 Chantengco, King absent) to published a newspaper article stating in the article the names of lenders and banks in our City participating in the program and the ones not participating with this program. MSC (Helton/Dennison) (3-0-2 Chantengco, King absent) to send a copy of the newspaper article and any information staff has available regarding the MCC Program to Southwestern College (Economic teachers) so they can distribute to their students. Chairman Casillas suggested that maybe the newspaper editor of the campus college can publish an article regarding this program. Chairman Casillas suggested that staff should contact some of the big real estates offices, such as McMillin, Coldwell Bankers, those offices have a regular meeting once a week and maybe staff can go and give a presentation regarding the MCC program. 3. CRAS - Ben stated that a public hearing regarding the CHAS was held on October 19, 1993. The public comment period will last until November 19, 1993. Staff mailed out about 20 copies of the CHAS to social services agencies, non-profit housing, Chamber of Commerce, County etc. and they have already started calling with comments and input. Ben stated that he will be doing a CHAS presentation for the Economic Development Committee at the Chamber of Commerce on November 3. Ben mention that staff will come back on November 24 to the Committee with public comments. Staff will submit final CRAS document to Council on December 7 then to HUD a few days later. The committee and staff were discussing the date for the next HAC meeting to discuss the public comments on the CHAS report, do to November 24 being the day before Thanksgiving and some of the members have other commitments. The tentative date is November 22, 1993. Chairman Casillas asked what kind of input did Council give on the 19th? Ben stated that Councilman Fox pointed out statistics on the number of people and the amount of their income they are spending on mortgages. Juan stated that Councilman Fox requested that staff expand on this section having to do with housing affordability, basically the percentage of households in the City that are able to afford to buy a house. Councilman Fox stressed that staff should illustrate more on this issue which staff agrees and staff will be adding more statistics of the number of people that qualify to buy a house which is estimated at 20% that technically can afford that house. Member Helton asked if Council will make a decision on December 7? Juan stated that this was the tentative date for Council's approval, then staff can submit it to HUD. 4. VETERANS HOME - Juan gave a status report on the Veterans Home. The Commission selected four sites throughout Southern California which are Barstow, Landcaster, Chula Vista followed by Perris. The report was completed and sent to the governor who has not signed anything as of yet. About a month ago City Council received a proposal from a private developer to consider a Chula Vista Family Recreation Sports Center/Family Fun Center Development, on . . . the same site that the City is considering for the Veterans Home Project. Member Helton asked if this developer proposing to buy the acreage? Juan stated yes, that was part of the proposal which included not only our acreage, but also acreage from private owners. In addition to the proposal, recommendation also was made for staff to look at alternative sites for the Veterans Home Project. The alternative site is a site adjacent to Chula Vista Community Hospital. There is a 30 acre site owned by Sweetwater Union High School District which is available. The City is considering that site which staff is conducting some biological studies, site analysis to see whether the site is feasible or not, and also the potential financial aspects of it. The Commission members are coming to town on November 23, 1993 to look at this new potential site and based on what staff presents and recommends they would then decide whether to consider such a site or not. The key issue that has to be decided on is whether the Commission is willing to consider a substitution for the previous site. Staff's concern is to make sure that we don't lose our ranking. Juan will be meeting with Andy Campbell from the school district to discuss options regarding this site. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATION - None 6. STAFF REPORTS - None 7. MEMBER COMMENTS - Chairman Casillas wanted status report regarding Housing Element. Juan stated that in the last HAC meeting staff gave a status report, but Casillas was not present. Staff will give Casillas a copy of the report. Casillas mention that when they have a full membership present he would like for staff to give Housing Element status report again. In addition, Casillas wants a status report on Salt Creek I, Telegraph Canyon and the Otay Ranch Projects. B. ADJOURNMENT - At 4:30 p.m. to the next regular meeting schedule November 24, 1993 in the Public Services Building. /. ~f' IAG\A: 1 0-27-93 .MIN] DISK #2