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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-24-2009 AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 24, 2009 Conference Room #3 Meeting convened at 4:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Stephanie Morgan, All About You Louise Hubbard, Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council Diane Wesloski, St. Lucie County Citizen Rhonda Blakey, Workforce Solutions Mike Smith, Riverside National Bank Skeet Jernigan, Community & Economic Development Council of South FL David Povio, VAP Builders, Inc. MEMBERS ABSENT: Kenneth Fuchs, SDZ Construction Al Rivett, St. Lucie INTACT Scott Wingfield, Realtors Association of St. Lucie Rick Carreno, St. Lucie County Fire District OTHERS PRESENT: Beth Ryder, St. Lucie County Community Services Jessica Parrish, St. Lucie County Community Services Dina Prestridge, St. Lucie County Community Services Heather Young, St. Lucie County Assistant County Attorney Britton Wilson, St. Lucie County Growth Management MINUTES Stephanie Morgan called the meeting to order at 4:00 with introductions. Ms. Morgan asked that the last line of the minutes from the June 18, 2009 meeting be checked to make certain of who seconded the motion to approve the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Application. Diana Wesloski made a motion to approve the minutes, but to check the seconded motion from the last meeting. Mike Smith seconded the motion. REVIEW MODIFICATIONS TO SHIP LHAP ~ JESSICA PARRISH, HOUSING MANAGER Ms. Morgan stated that the first item on the agenda was to review modifications that were made to the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP). Jessica Parrish stated that the main change has to do with SHIP funding being no longer available and the creation of the Florida Home Buyer Opportunity Program (FHOP). The strategy for FHOP had to be incorporated into the LHAP. Mrs. Parrish explained the FHOP program is basically up fronting the $8,000 tax credit to a first time home buyer before the home is purchased. The income limits traditionally seen with the SHIP Program no longer apply. A single tax payer can earn up to $75,000 per year, while a dual tax filer can earn up to $150,000 per year. Mrs. Parrish stated that FHOP is the only activity that can be AHAC Meeting June 24, 2009 Page 2 funded with the new allocation and will only be funded through December 1, 2009. The allocation amount is $106,000. Mrs. Wesloski asked whether the client would have to be closed by December 1, 2009. Mrs. Parrish stated yes they would, unless the legislature allowed an extension. Mr. Smith asked if the FHOP funds are for normal SHIP clientele or over and above the normal clientele. Mrs. Parrish stated that it is over and above the usual clientele and restated the income limits. Mrs. Parrish also explained that the program allows up to $8,000 or 10% of the sales price, whichever is greater, and that it could be partnered with previous SHIP year allocations. Mrs. Parrish explained that regular SHIP allocations are good for 3 years; two years are used to commit the funds and by the third year the funds must be expended. Skeet Jernigan asked whether the SHIP funds were deposited into the County’s account or if the funds were draw downs requested by the County. Mrs. Parrish explained that the funds are divided into quarterly disbursements that are upfront, and that at this time it was not known how the FHOP funds would be disbursed. Mr. Jernigan asked what would happen if we didn’t receive the amount of clients to spend all of the funds. Mrs. Parrish stated that it would probably be recaptured by the state, but there was the possibility of an extension. Mr. Smith expressed concern that the program was going to be open to everyone, and not just those qualified for the traditional SHIP Program. He asked if there was any way that an evaluation system could be put in place. Mrs. Parrish stated that question was raised at a workshop as to whether FHOP could be available to just the normal SHIP clientele, and the response was no. However, Florida Housing Finance Corporation was going to make an inquiry to their legal department about utilizing a ranking system. Mr. Jernigan asked whether client’s who were previously on the SHIP list for down payment assistance would qualify for FHOP. Mrs. Parrish stated yes they would; however, those clients currently on the list are most likely seeking higher down payment amounts. Ms. Hubbard asked whether FHOP could be combined with other programs. Mrs. Parrish stated that it could be matched with any other program that we currently have available. Mr. Smith asked whether it had been decided how the loan was to be repaid. Mrs. Parrish stated that it would be a deferred payment loan placed on the house and would have to be repaid once the house was sold, refinanced, or the title changed. Mr. Jernigan asked if there would be any restrictions put on the deed for FHOP, such as an affordability period or required length of occupancy. Mrs. Parrish stated that there would not. It would be a 30 year second mortgage, due upon sale, refinance, or change in title. AHAC Meeting June 24, 2009 Page 3 Mrs. Wesloski made a motion to accept the revisions. Mr. Jernigan seconded the motion. REVIEW THE 2008 INCENTIVE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION REPORT ~ JESSICA PARRISH, HOUSING MANAGER Mrs. Parrish moved on to discussion about the 2008 Incentive Review and Recommendation Report and future meeting schedules. It was decided that expedited permitting would be the topic of the next meeting. Ms. Hubbard asked whether any of the items up for discussion would be able to impact any of the current programs. Mrs. Parrish stated that expedited permitting would assist the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Mr. Jernigan asked Heather Young whether during this legislative session anything was passed in regards to the AHAC or the 11 items to be discussed. Ms. Young replied to her knowledge there was not, but she would research it. Ms. Wesloski asked if we could have a staff person from permitting at the next meeting and if a copy of the permit application could be provided to the committee members. th It was decided that future meetings would be held the 4 Wednesday of every month at 3:30 in Conference Room 3. The next meeting will be held July 22, 2009. Ms. Young discussed the Sunshine Law with the new members of the committee. Changes to the Minutes- Meeting March 18, 2009 Louise Hubbard made a motion to approve the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan. Diana Wesloski seconded the motion.