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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. -1- 4s - 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%. -2- ..S 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. -3-