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HRA Meeting <br />Minutes – Tuesday, April 15, 2014 <br />Page 6 <br />1 <br />2 <br />At the request of Member Masche, Chair Maschka clarified that this would not serve as a <br />3 <br />subsidy to the Dale Street Project; and while it could provide for the sale of more of those <br />4 <br />units, it was not directly linked to that Project itself. <br />5 <br />6 <br />At the request of Member Masche, Ms. Kelsey confirmed that anyone could apply, with the <br />7 <br />GMHC intending to have initial conversations with the senior population at large, and <br />8 <br />everyone able to be eligible for the program; however, she noted that the funding was limited <br />9 <br />to only $270,000, allowing for only 3 – 5 homes maximum for buy-down. Ms. Kelsey advised <br />10 <br />that, given that limited pool of funding, obviously the GMHC wanted to target seniors first for <br />11 <br />the Dale Street Program. <br />12 <br />13 <br />At the request of Member Elkins, Ms. Kelsey clarified that the previous problem in the HRA <br />14 <br />holding a property would not apply, as the HRA was not purchasing the homes and therefore <br />15 <br />would not be charged a developer fee or other closing costs. Ms. Kelsey advised that, as <br />16 <br />Acting HRA Director, she would have oversight and case by case approval rights. <br />17 <br />18 <br />Member Lee spoke in support of the proposal, opining that she liked the de-concentration <br />19 <br />efforts it represented. <br />20 <br />21 <br />Member Masche noted that the HRA wanted to see the Dale Street Project be a success in all <br />22 <br />ways; and while they already enjoyed a number of advantages in the market place, and since <br />23 <br />this could be seen as another, he wanted to ensure that the program was open and marketed to <br />24 <br />the general community as well, even if funding was limited. Member Masche opined that a <br />25 <br />significant amount of rehabilitation could be accomplished with that amount of available <br />26 <br />funding; and further opined that it may serve to initiate a move toward rehabilitation of single- <br />27 <br />family homes within the broader community. <br />28 <br />29 <br />Chair Maschka clarified that the funds would not be used for the rehabilitation itself, but <br />30 <br />provide a reduced second mortgage, with the GMHC doing the rehabilitation through Ramsey <br />31 <br />County; but noted that the program would open up more housing for young families in <br />32 <br />addition to the Dale Street development. <br />33 <br />34 <br />Further discussion ensued about the process involved in the proposal for qualified buyers <br />35 <br />eligible for pay-down funds to help them afford a home. <br />36 <br />37 <br />Ms. Kelsey confirmed, with consensus of the body, that the HRA’s direction to make this <br />38 <br />program known to the general public, whether or not they have a direct interest in any of the <br />39 <br />Dale Street units or not. Therefore, Ms. Kelsey advised that she would take advantage of the <br />40 <br />City’s quarterly newsletter with the HRA having access to a full page which would make that <br />41 <br />education available to the community. However, Ms. Kelsey reiterated her concern with the <br />42 <br />limited funds available, and with a broader marketing effort, her additional concerns that <br />43 <br />people will express an interest in funds that were quickly depleted, creating frustration on their <br />44 <br />part. At the request of Member Elkins, Ms. Kelsey noted that Ramsey County had already <br />45 <br />questioned if the program was available for the entire Ramsey County or just Roseville; and <br />46 <br />that staff had responded that the program would be limited to the City of Roseville only, but if <br />47 <br />there were enough CDBG and or HOME funds county-wide, they could entertain similar <br />48 <br />services for other homeowners, but the funding from the City of Roseville would not be <br />49 <br />available for assisting them with those efforts. <br />50 <br />51 <br />Motion: Member Majerus moved, seconded by Member Elkins for HRA support for the <br />52 <br />use of Roseville CDBG funds for gap financing of affordable housing opportunities for <br />53 <br />families in Roseville. <br />54 <br />55 <br />Ayes: 6 <br /> <br />