Aaron Benjamin, 740 Emigrant Creek Road, Ashland, said he recently had the opportunity to pose questions pertaining to affordable housing to two candidates, Alan Bates and Peter Buckley. He reported their responses.

Nancy Richardson, 93 California Street, noted that she was past chair of the Housing Commission and a member of the Commission when they lobbied the Council for the Housing Specialist position. She is concerned that Goldman is not spending his time on education, a major component of affordable housing. His time is being spent with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) work. She said the position was supposed to be 100 percent non-CDBG. She would like the Commission to look into talking to Staff and Council.

Richardson said several cities are allowing applicants who apply to build a certain number of units that are green or affordable to be pushed to the top of pile for planning in order to encourage this type of development.

Jackson said the Commission needs to look at the Housing Action Plan strategies identifying perhaps some changes in direction. It will go to the Council December 21st and she suggested the above motion be highlighted as part of the report to the Council.

The Commission decided the co-chairs and Jackson would write a letter of transmittal making a case for what the Commission is trying to accomplish but how they are limited by Staff’s limited time. Include the items outlined as priorities at the planning session as items the Commission would like to implement and explain how everything is being held up because Goldman simply does not have enough time. This is not a reflection on Goldman, but he can only do so much. The letter will be brought back to the meeting on November 17th for review by the Commission. The Commissioners asked Goldman to show how much time he spends on CDBG.

Mindlin said the biggest issue is the 60 year equity limit. How is it financed? There are significant problems with this. The 60 year limit makes a lot of sense for rental housing. For-purchase housing works quite differently. There is an inherent conflict with the goals established by the City (maintaining long-term affordable housing) and the goals of most of the funding agencies (anti-poverty mandate). The funding agencies are looking to build people’s financial and housing security through equity growth in their homes. The Commissioners asked Mindlin to share her financing experience with the Housing Commission once the project is complete.

Public Hearing – No one came forth to speak.

Commission questions, discussion, and recommendation – Weisler/Peck m/s to approve the Staff Report. Voice Vote: Unanimous

Finance/Trust Fund - Peck said it was brought up that there is a resident of Ashland who has put together a housing trust fund. Is it possible to tap into that resource? Or, participate on the Finance subcommittee?

Education/Advocacy