Housing Partnership Minutes 7 20141
NORTHAMPTON HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
Minutes
July 7, 2014
Members Present: Lynne Wallace, Chair, Rachel Taylor‐Doward, Vice‐Chair, Toni
Hochstadt, Jen Dieringer, Gordon Shaw, Richard Abuza. New member Peter
Frothingham and observer Tiya Isaza‐Figueroa. Also present, Wayne Feiden, Planning
Director and Peg Keller, staff.
Call to Order: Chair Wallace called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. No one was
present for the public comment period. Members introduced themselves to the new
member Peter Frothingham and to Ms. Isaza‐Figueroa who is considering joining the
Partnership.
Approval of Minutes/ Member Shaw made a motion to approve the minutes from the
June meeting, seconded by Member Taylor‐Doward. The vote in favor was unanimous
with abstentions from Chair Wallace and Member Frothingham.
PATH Application/ Wayne Feiden
Mr. Feiden described a grant application he has recently submitted to DHCD. It is
called PATH (Planning Assistance Toward Housing), formerly known as the Priority
Development Fund. The program’s purpose is to provide funding to municipalities to
increase the supply of housing for a range of incomes by encouraging community‐based
planning activities that lead directly to housing production. Eligible activities include:
Community initiated activities such as education and outreach efforts that support the
production of multi‐family housing
Planning for housing/mixed‐use development in specific geographic areas
Activities associated with the production of multi‐family housing on municipally
owned/controlled sites
Planning, outreach and adoption of smart growth zoning under c.40R and other types of
high impact up‐zoning
Other activities leading to housing production including the preparation, update or
renewal of Housing Production Plans under c. 40B.
The Office of Planning’s application asked for funding to accomplish:
A sophisticated housing build out analysis of the downtown core, URB and URC
zones
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Analysis of development barriers
Identification of infrastructure projects needed to facilitate development
Three community forums are planned that the Housing Partnership is welcomed to co‐
sponsor. He is not sure of the chances for getting the grant because we were funded
through the PDF program last year. DHCD was pleased with the results of the PDF
grant however, so that may bode well for another award. The build out analysis is in
response to public interest in the universe of impact from the recently adopted and
proposed zoning changes. He will keep us posted on the outcome.
Mr. Feiden also reported on a MassWorks application he is currently preparing. This
fund was formerly the Public Works Economic Development program. He is proposing
street infrastructure work on Pleasant Street to support the two affordable housing
projects and the corridor improvement effort. Projects have to be shovel‐ready for
spring of 2015. That is early for both housing projects but he is asking for support letters
from them to include anyway, as the infrastructure improvements will benefit them
later. Work will address sidewalk repair, a widening of the right of way in some places
and restricting it in others, possibly a “parklet” in front of Northampton Coffee, curb
extensions, crosswalks, traffic calming and bike lanes, street trees, benches and drainage
work. He asked for a support letter from the Housing Partnership as well.
Member Abuza made the following motion: “… recognizing that vibrant downtown
streetscapes are an integral part of supporting quality housing options, especially in
denser urban core neighborhoods, we wholeheartedly support this funding application
and the meaningful infrastructure improvements it would accomplish”. The motion
was seconded by Member Dieringer. The vote in favor was unanimous with abstentions
from Chair Wallace and Member Frothingham (HAP employee and architect for the
HAP 129 Pleasant Street project).
Definition of Affordable Housing/ Proposed Ordinance Revision
Mr. Feiden then spoke to the proposed change to the definition of affordable housing in
the Ordinance of the City of Northampton. The revision includes a requirement that the
units created be counted on the States Subsidized Affordable Housing Inventory. It also
changes the term of affordability for homeownership units from 99 to 30, which is in
line with the State requirement.
Members discussed the proposal. Mr. Feiden said that there are several sections in the
Zoning Ordinance that will refer to this definition: cluster development, subdivision
regulations and projects creating 7+ units. The 99 year term works well for rental
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projects, but is difficult for homeownership scenarios. Most projects that create
affordable units utilize State funding sources and therefore meet the requirements for
inclusion on the inventory, but private projects such as Emerson Way have no public
funds. Reducing the time period to 30 years opens the possibility of a homeowner
earning equity should they remain in the unit and matches State funding requirements.
Local groups, either through awarding CPA and/or CDBG could mandate longer
periods if they so chose, but 30 years would be a minimum. Member Dieringer made a
motion to support the proposed revision; seconded by Member Abuza. The vote in
favor was unanimous. A support letter will be sent to City Council.
Project Updates
Community Housing Supportive Services Program
Member Shaw reported on the meeting of the sub‐committee which is now developing
the Request for Proposals for choosing a vendor. Member Dieringer provided a
background summary for the new members. NHP applied to the CPC for a three year
$195,000 grant to support people in housing through budgeting instruction, assignment
of a rep payee when needed and referral and linkage to other community resources. A
salary for a full‐time position in addition to administrative costs required for a rep
payee program are the funding components.
The sub‐committee made some revisions to the Memorandum of Agreement from the
CPC that will be reviewed at their next meeting. Member Dieringer is researching the
issue of whether the program needs to be administered through the Housing Trust. Peg
will produce the template for the RFP, the sub‐committee will determine how the
responses will be evaluated/scored and Member Taylor‐Doward will assist with a
matrix for data collection and performance outcome measurement. The full Partnership
will review the RFP and responses. The plan is to release it and select a vendor by the
end of the calendar year.
Community Education/ Op‐Ed
Members discussed the need to produce something that extols the virtues of the two
proposed housing projects. There was a letter to the editor saying HAP would reap
huge profits in the 129 Pleasant St. project, which should be refuted. Strategy was
discussed. Peg will take the first cut at a draft and circulate it to the members. This will
help to address the goal of keeping affordable housing issues visible in the community
and dispel myths.
Housing Partnership Composition Number
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Because the Mayor’s Office is reviewing City Ordinances, Boards and Commissions for
a September revision package required by the Charter change, the Chief of Staff asked
about the 15 member composition number on the Partnership. She (Lyn Simmons)
noted that this is a higher number than most Boards or Commissions. Members opted
to have the number remain 15 and hope for additional members in order to attain full
composition. The majority of active voting members will remain the test for quorum.
Affordable Housing Trust
The Mayor’s Chief of Staff also asked if in revising the local Affordable Housing Trust
Ordinance (to include funding positions such as the one recently funded by the
Community Preservation Committee) the NHP wanted to adopt any of the provisions
from the State Affordable Housing Trust Law. Peg circulated both prior to the meeting
and Member Shaw had some suggestions. The response was yes, we should adopt the
purposes and powers in the State version, to solidify and sanction local activities.
Member Abuza made a motion to update the local Affordable Housing Trust Ordinance
to make it co‐extensive with the powers and enumerated in the State statute/ Chapter 44
Municipal Finance, Section 55c Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The motion
was seconded by Member Dieringer. The vote in favor was unanimous. Peg will redraft
the current ordinance and submit it to the Mayor’s office for review and approval.
Zoning Proposal/ Review of 7+ unit Projects
Members discussed the status of the zoning proposal discussed at the last meeting. This
relates to the moratorium placed on projects of 7 units or more in order to create
additional review criteria. Peg reported that she relayed the Partnership’s concerns to
the Planning Dept. about the second option not being acceptable. Evidently the
proposal, which is before the Ordinance Committee, will not be reviewed again until
August. Partnership members said they would offer to meet with Councilor O’Donnell
to express their concerns about the options for affordable housing in the proposal.
Member Frothingham mentioned a new site plan review requirement for additional
dwelling units on principal lots. Having to prepare drawings and come to a hearing
could impede the creation of affordable units. Discussion followed. He made a motion
to state the Housing Partnership’s concern that proposed zoning changes impact costs
of creating affordable housing and that we wish to work with the Ordinance Committee
to remediate any possible negative impacts. The motion was seconded by Vice‐Chair
Taylor‐Doward and the vote in favor was unanimous.
Housing Authority Report
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Chair Wallace reported that the NHA is participating in a program offered by DHCD
called Mass LEAP. A $362,000 grant will be distributed to several housing authorities to
provide job, educational and financial literacy training for tenants with Mass. Rental
Voucher Program subsidies (MRVP, the state rental assistance program). HAP will be
doing the case management for the region.
WMNEH Report
Chair Wallace reported that Network Coordinator Pamela Schwartz will be on leave
until September, traveling with her family. Committees are still meeting with other
people running them. Andrew Morehouse of The Food Bank of Western Mass is now
co‐chairing the Network with Lynne. There is a new round of $250,000 for Secure Jobs
Connect from DHCD for Hampshire and Hampden counties through HAP. After the
success of the first round funded by the Fireman Foundation, the State picked it up as a
line item in the Commonwealth’s budget assigning 500,000 statewide. There is an
additional 200,000 from the Fireman Foundation for Franklin and Berkshire counties.
August / September Meetings
There will be no meeting in August and the September meeting will be help on the 8th.
HAP Support Letter
Chair Wallace and Member Frothingham departed from the meeting. Discussion
followed about doing a formal support letter to the Community Preservation
Committee for the 129 Pleasant St/Northampton Lodging project that HAP is
undertaking. Discussion followed about tenant relocation and protections and the
requirements in the Federal and State Re‐location Acts. Additional research will be
done to better understand short term and long term protections. All members present
supported sending the letter in favor of the project. The presentation on the project had
taken place at the May meeting. Member Shaw made the motion to send a support
letter, seconded by Member Abuza. The vote in favor was unanimous.
Adjourn
The meeting concluded at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg Keller
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Follow‐Up Tasks Person Responsible
NHP Support Letter for MassWorks
application
Peg to Wayne
Letter to support Ordinance Affordable
Housing Definition Change
Peg to Carolyn Misch
In Council Packet/ acted on 8/14
Op Ed Piece/ Support for Affordable
Housing and the 2 projects
Peg to Draft then circulate
Redraft of the Affordable Housing Trust
Ordinance to Incorporate State language
Peg to Mayor’s Office
RFP Template for Community Housing
Supportive Services Project
Peg to Sub‐Committee
Sub‐Committee Meeting with Councilor
O’Donnell re: 7+ unit projects
Toni, Peter F. met and invited the
Councilor to the September Meeting
Memo on Vote regarding site plan
requirement for second dwellings
Peg draft, send to ?
‐ not done yet pending 9/8 discussion
Support letter for HAP to CPC for
Northampton Lodging
Peg to Peter Serafino/ Sarah
LaValley