HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-04-06 Community and Economic Development Committee MinutesBangor Area Housing Alliance
April 6, 1993
10:30 Me City Council Chambers
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT; John Moore Kerry Sack Eat Blanchette
T.J. Mactzial Stan Moses Carol Lee Moore
Stephen Moores Bob Kelly Mary -Anne Chalila
Susan Brainard Carol Lockey _
AGENDA ITEM 41 - Election of Officers%
After an introduction of those present, an election of officers
took place. On a motion by Kerry Sack, seconded by Mary Ann Chalila,
T.J. Martzial was elected Chairperson. On a motion by Mary -Ann
Chalila, se cnded by pat Blanchette, Stan Moses was elected
Secretary.
AGENDA ITEM i2 - Application for Designation as a Maine Affordable
Housing Alliance Community:
It was determined that a City Council Order would be needed to
authorize the City Manager t0 sign the City's application. An order
will be drafted for the next City Council agenda.
in reviewing the application forms, it was suggested that a copy
Of the CHAS (Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy) be
submitted and referred to in the application sections: 3. Local
Housing Need and 4. Affordable Housing Strategy. Several potential
projects were discussed including%
Acquisition and rehabilitation of condemned residential
property.
Acquisition and resale of excess New Capehart Air Force
housing to first time home buyers or to home owner
cooperatives.
Development of single room occupancy facilities for the long
term homeless.
The need for supportive services, especially mental health
services, for formerly institutionalized homeless persons was
emphasized, as was the need for state reimbursement for shelter
operating costa and for the provision of services for homeless
persons with the need for supportive services. The percentage of
emergency shelter clients with such needs is now in the range of 65%
to 1008.
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AGENDA ITEM a4 - Ideas and Specific Projects:
It was the consensus of those present that we should not submit a
specific project in the Application For Designation As A Maine
Affordable Housing Alliance Community, but, rather, look for "windows
of opportunity" for the future selection of a project or projects.
There was strong support for the development of SRO -type homeless
shelter facilities with support services.
AGENDA ITEM A3 - Non-profit Owned Residential Property Tax -Exemption
There was a discussion of the City Council's recent call for
state legislation to remove non-profit owned housing from the list of
tax-exempt properties. There was widespread support for this
position, becauseof the increased tax burden placed on owners of the
remaining residential property and the resultant difficulty of
continued public funding for affordable housing and associated
supportive services. There was also ewe concern expressed for small
non -profits who were now struggling to survive and have no resources
to pay for the increased operating cost associated with the payment
of property taxes. In the case of newly developed non-profit owned
housing, it was felt that lenders, particularly public lenders,
should calculate an affordable interest rate for the borrower based
on operating cost which includes the payment of property taxes.
AGENDA ITEM %5 - Open Discussion:
Items of general discussion during the meeting included
Various areas which would or would not be suitable for
designation as a Housing Opportunity Zone. These areas
included the University College campus, Bangor International
Airport, New Capehart Air .Force housing, the Husson College
neighborhood, downtown and Carroll Street. The need for
site control was mentioned.
Theactivitiesof Habitat for Humanity to develop affordable
and taxable housing for low-income first-time homeownersi
Two such homes have been constructed, sold and occupied n
Bangor, with a lot being sought for another.
Empowerment of low-income families through affordable home
ownership. The need to place a resale value cap on such
properties to reduce profit taking was mentioned.
- The need for an affordable housing coordinating agency.
The use of service fees as a partial substitute for the
payment of property taxes by residential property owning
non -profits.
The percentage of tax-exempt property in the City of Bangor
is now 52%.
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The addition of a fire protection fee to the Water District
fee was mentioned, but the suggestion that the Water
District operate the Fire Department was thought to be
unnecessary.
Large non -profits, such as Eastern Maine Medical Center,
demand extensive public services, yet contribute no property
tax revenue.
AGENDA ITEM 46 - Next Meeting:
There being no further business, the next meeting was set for two
weeks hence on Tuesday, April 20 at 10:30 AM in the City Council
Chambers, and the meeting was adjourned at a few minutes past noon.
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