Affordable Housing Task Force

Regular Meeting

Columbia, SC · April 13, 2021

Minutes

COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 11:04 a.m. by Chair Tameika Isaac Devine. Attendee Name Present Absent Late Arrived Tameika Isaac Devine    John Andoh    Jeff Armstrong    Julie Ann Avin    Reggie Barner    Sue Berkowitz    Brenna Bernadin    Bryan Grady    Dylan Gunnels    Tonya Isaac    Jeff Larimore    Ivory Matthews    Jennifer Moore    Mary Louise Resch    Shayla Riley    Lila Anna Sauls    Gregory Sprouse    Allison Terracio    Regina Williams    Lester Young    Jim Zieche    Chris Zimmer    Pamela Bynoe-Reed    APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of March 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes Upon a motion made by Lila Anna Sauls and seconded by Ivory Matthews, task force members voted unanimously to approve the March 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes. Page 1 of 4 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 2. Committee Reports Councilwoman Devine said it is prudent for us to give an update to the Columbia City Council and Richland County Council. I would like buy-in and approval of our definition of affordable housing. Let’s review the draft report. After an in-depth discussion, the affordable housing unit goal was revised as follows to focus on the need to produce and preserve housing for individuals with extremely low and low incomes: To adequately address the needs of affordable housing in our community, it is imperative that we set aggressive but realistic goals to help add or preserve affordable housing units giving special attention to low income and extremely low income residents’ needs. The Affordable Housing Task Force will monitor 2021 building permits and certificates of occupancy to establish unit goals for 2022, 2023, and 2024. The list of outreach categories was also amended to include housing developers. A letter and the final report will be sent to members of the Richland County Legislative Delegation. 3. Summary of National Housing Trust Fund - Dr. Bryan Grady, Chief Research Officer for the SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority Councilwoman Devine announced that additional funds have been allocated for affordable housing under the American Rescue Plan. Dr. Grady and Ms. Cogan are going to tell us about the National Housing Trust Fund and what it means for South Carolina. Bryan Grady, PhD, Chief Research Officer at SC Housing reported that bill H.3770 authorizes SC Housing to administer emergency rental assistance funding in the 39 counties that did not receive a direct allocation. Richland County received funding and has launched a program. There is a second round of rental assistance that will provide states and counties with $274 million. There is also the homeowner assistance fund. The Department of Treasury has not released guidance and it is too early to say who will administer that. There was $5 billion nationally in HOME appropriations designed for homeless prevention services. The statewide non-entitlement total is over $26 million. The City of Columbia will receive $2.5 million and Richland County will receive $6.7 million. The National Housing Trust Fund is an annual fund that was created in 2008 and funded in 2016. The funding to SC Housing doubled to slightly less than $8 million. In the past, we used the funds for small rental development. Page 2 of 4 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 Jennifer Cogan, Development Director at SC Housing said the National Housing Trust Fund has been combined with the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the State Housing Trust Fund as funding sources for the small rental development program. The program has financed affordable housing developments between 4 and 39 units. This year, we are accepting applications in a two tier system with tier one applications due on May 14, 2021 and tier two applications are due on August 31, 2021. The National Housing Trust Fund only serves individuals who meet the ELI at 30% and below and developments must remain affordable for 30 years. We created an underwriting model that allows us to utilize the HOME and SC Housing Trust Fund units to support the higher income brackets and make up the cash flow you won’t see from the National Housing Trust Fund units. We typically see 25% of the units serving those 30% and below AMI. We have specific requirements for rehab that have been approved by HUD. You can apply for new construction or rehabilitation affordable housing through the small rental development program. We have two years to commit the funding and it is a competitive process. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilwoman Devine announced that Lila Anna Sauls will have her doctorate on Friday. Lila Anna Sauls, Homeless No More announced a wreath hanging ceremony for the 15 units at Myrtle Grove on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the family shelter and new administrative space will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Ivory Matthews, Columbia Housing Authority invited everyone to join the Housing Power Hour: Residents First interactive presentation on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. ICYMI, click here to view: https://youtu.be/Cx2XH-da9aI. Mary Louise Resch, Habitat for Humanity announced the dedication of two new homes in Cayce on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Sue Berkowitz, SC Appleseed Legal Justice offered to schedule a presentation to the task force on Charleston's Housing Eviction Court. Councilwoman Devine announced expansion of the child income tax credit and earned income tax credit under the American Rescue Plan. Families will start receiving monthly payments in July if they have filed taxes. Page 3 of 4 COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 Jeffrey Armstrong, Family Promise announced the virtual Family Promise Gala on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Jim Zieche, More Justice announced the Nehemiah Action Assembly on Monday, April 26, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. We are requesting gun violence intervention and establishment of a housing trust fund for Richland County. Tonya Isaac, North Pointe Estates resident announced the formation of a library at North Pointe as a donation from Ms. Devine. Regina Williams, Booker Washington Heights Organization noted that the youth were provided with stipends for helping with the library. This will encourage financial literacy. Shayla Riley, Coldwell Banker announced the development of more affordable homes. Additional information will be provided. NEXT MEETING DATE May 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was closed at 12:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 4 of 4

Agenda

Packet

COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021 The Columbia Affordable Housing Task Force will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. using Video Conferencing Technology. The meeting can be viewed online at www.columbiasc.gov. CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of March 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 2. Committee Reports  Accessibility - Ms. Julie Ann Avin, Chair  Financing - Mr. Reggie Barner, Chair  Legal & Zoning - Ms. Sue Berkowitz and Ms. Lila Anna Sauls, Co-Chairs  Partnerships - Ms. Jennifer Moore, Chair  Public Education & Awareness Committee - Ms. Brenna Bernadin, Chair 3. Summary of National Housing Trust Fund - Dr. Bryan Grady, Chief Research Officer for the SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority ANNOUNCEMENTS NEXT MEETING DATE May 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 1 1.a COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 CALLTO ORDER Attachment: AHTF_MN_030921 (6590 : Approval of March 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes) The meeting was called to order at 11:04 a.m. by Chair Tameika Isaac Devine. Attendee Name Present Absent Late Arrived Tameika Isaac Devine    John Andoh    Jeff Armstrong    Julie Ann Avin    Reggie Barner    Sue Berkowitz    Brenna Bernadin    Bryan Grady    Dylan Gunnels    Tonya Isaac    Jeff Larimore    Ivory Matthews    Jennifer Moore    Mary Louise Resch    Shayla Riley    Lila Anna Sauls    Gregory Sprouse    Allison Terracio    Regina Williams    11:20 AM Lester Young    Jim Zieche    Chris Zimmer    APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of February 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes Upon a motion made by Mary Louise Resch and seconded by Reggie Barner, task force members voted unanimously to approve the February 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes. Page 1 of 4 Packet Pg. 2 1.a COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION Attachment: AHTF_MN_030921 (6590 : Approval of March 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes) 2. Committee Reports Councilwoman Devine said we have a definition for affordable housing. We will use 2021 benchmarks to set our goals for 2022, 2023, and 2024. The Accessibility Committee would like to delve into solutions for making access to quality affordable housing a reality for people within special populations. Reginal Barner, Financing Committee requested an update on the City of Columbia local affordable housing tax abatement program. To stimulate the development of affordable housing, he proposed a social impact fund for private investors. Atlanta issued an affordable housing bond. Some cities are putting affordable housing mechanisms into their one cent sales tax program. Tax increment financing and the multi-county industrial park legislation can be used to create affordable housing, as well. In Ohio, unclaimed state funds are used to financially assist with the creation of affordable housing. Communities also have land banks. There are a lot of infill lots in the city that we can tap into. Lastly, an affordable housing impact fee can be assessed at the city and county level on new residential and commercial development. A portion of the assessment can go into a fund to help create affordable housing. The state tax credit program is attracting developers to South Carolina. Jim Zieche asked if consideration was given to a countywide trust fund. Councilwoman Devine asked Gloria Saeed, Teresa Knox, and Patrick Wright to do additional research and provide a legal opinion on what is currently available, what needs legislative support, and what will require education and lobbying. Sue Berkowitz, Legal & Zoning Committee said we have an eviction crisis in Columbia and we want to talk about mechanisms to address the issue of providing assistance and funding. We want to look at innovative ideas and how zoning ordinances can help with abandoned properties like hotels and motels. Lila Anna Sauls, Legal & Zoning Committee said Charlotte renovated motels into single-use apartments. We have to identify what already exists and what modifications need to be made to incorporate special projects into the overall affordable housing plan. Councilwoman Devine requested information for tenants on their rights and how to report various concerns. Page 2 of 4 Packet Pg. 3 1.a COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 Sue Berkowitz, Legal & Zoning Committee requested an inventory of tax credit properties and Attachment: AHTF_MN_030921 (6590 : Approval of March 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes) properties that are accepting vouchers. Brenna Bernadin, Partnership & Education Committees reported that the committees formed eight outreach categories: political developers, business and community partners, state and local housing agencies, funders and real estate partners, neighborhood associations, potential homebuyers and new renters, community and neighborhood coalitions, and the media in partnership with the City’s Public & Media Relations Department. We want to start a success story model. The goal is to demonstrate the worth and positive side of affordable housing, to debunk the myths, and work with opposition. We will develop a one-pager with goals and a slogan for social media campaigns. Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine said we will create a one-page document with the Task Force’s goal and the committees' priorities by the end of this month. The document will be shared with all task force members for feedback. After next month's committee reports, we will finalize the document. Both Councilwoman Devine and Councilwoman Terracio will then present the report to their respective councils. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ivory Mathews invited property owners to partner with the Columbia Housing Authority by becoming landlords for the housing choice voucher program. A virtual meeting will be held on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Register here Jeffrey Armstrong announced that Family Promise is hosting a virtual Night of Promise Gala on April 24, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. It is a fundraiser to help find creative housing solutions for families and provide stability for children. Click here to become a Gala Sponsor. Lila Anna Sauls, said Homeless No More opened the application process for Myrtle Grove, an affordable housing development for families on Waites Road. There are 15 units at 30%, 50%, and 60% AMI; they are not voucher driven. Click here for an application. Councilwoman Devine asked the accessibility committee to consider barriers to affordable housing for individuals who don’t make enough money and they don’t qualify for certain programs because they don’t have a family. Sue Berkowitz, SC Appleseed the NAACP is leading an Eviction Navigation Project. Individuals facing eviction will be partnered with a navigator. Page 3 of 4 Packet Pg. 4 1.a COLUMBIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 Councilwoman Allison Terracio said we had turnover on Richland County Council and some of Attachment: AHTF_MN_030921 (6590 : Approval of March 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes) the new members are excited about working on affordable housing. That will go a long way towards working with staff and others. Councilwoman Devine acknowledged that this is campaign season. She pledged to not let the Task Force's work be politicized or derailed. NEXT MEETING DATE Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was closed at 11:53 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC City Clerk Page 4 of 4 Packet Pg. 5