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HRA Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Page 2 a.Presentation from Housing Resource Center Executive Director Trudgeon introduced Ms. Suzanne Snyder, (TITLE) and Ms. Marie Mo_____, (TITLE) of the Greater Metropolitan Area _____; program administrator for the Housing Resource Center (HRC) northern region. Ms. Snyder reviewed the past year’s activities of the HRC, specific to Roseville; and reminded the listening public of the many and varied programs available to Roseville residents from the HRC. Ms. Snyder advised that there had been a decline in 2009 of some of the services offered due to the economy while others, particularly sustainability and green projects, had seen additional activity. Ms. Snyder noted that the GMAC and the City of Roseville had achieved a long and productive ten (10) year partnership, since the year 2000. Ms. Snyder reviewed the decline in Home Improvements Loans in 2009, with 14 loans closed in Roseville during the 2008 program year and only 4 loans closed in 2009; but noted that some increases in interest had been realized in the fall of 2009, and anticipated more interest as confidence in the economy improves. Ms. Snyder reviewed specific areas of information and referral services provided by the HRC to residents; partnerships with the MN Housing lender and administration of programs for Ramsey County and also available to Roseville residents; construction management services as a free service based on the City’s contract for those services; in-home, phone, and or off-site consultations available. Ms. Snyder noted that, in 2008, 152 units of construction consultations were provided, and 196 in 2009; with those services also including preparation of a scope of work for homeowners prior to their going out to bid for projects to ensure continuity. Ms. Snyder reviewed the credentials of the construction manager, including additional training in sustainability, with that information also available to homeowners from the HRC. Ms. _____ (Marie) reviewed additional loan programs available to Roseville residents through the HRC, including but not limited to: Home Improvement loans at 4% interest for up to a term of ten (10) years and maximum dollar amount of up to $20,000, and if energy saving home improvements, an additional $5,000 available; several programs available through the Roseville Rental Program through MN Housing for fix-up funds at an interest rate of 5.99% for $30,000 and at a term of twenty (20) years; availability of piggyback funds available for larger projects with Roseville loan programs; programs specific to lower income homeowners through the MFHA based on and tiered to median income guidelines to allow homes to be brought up to standards. Ms. Snyder advised that an additional three (3) loans through Ramsey County had been closed in 2009. Ms. Mo______ (Marie) noted that a new energy rebate program through MN Housing was available for energy-related projects (i.e., insulation, windows, furnaces, hot water heaters), with up to a 35% rebate if the loan was closed with fix-up funds. Discussion among members and presented included which programs had income limitations; standard affordability level qualifications; loans based on flat income and/or household size; private market interest rates versus these loans; qualifications for home equity loans; middle income homeowners lowing home value and impacting their ability to qualify for home loans or equity loans in the private market rather than through the HRC loan programs available that were based on debt-to-income ratios, but not based on home market values. Member Pust requested information in the future from the HRC that would provide comparison loan programs from other communities for consideration by the RHRA.