Commission on Aging

WHEATON HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING October 14, 2016 The regular meeting of the Wheaton Housing Commission was held in the Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall, at 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 7:13 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2016 by Housing Commission Chair, Tom Hudock. Present: Chris Ellerman Absent: Nancy Harding Jeannie Iseman Raj Salgia Thomas Hudock Robert Willock Mike Rybinski William Gilbertson Stuart Johnson Andrea Petti Jan Kay Joe Kreidl - City of Wheaton Special Guests: None. Public Comment: None. Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Johnson moved and Commissioner Rybinski seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2016 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Communications: ● 2015/2016 Wheaton Housing Assistance Summary - UPDATED ● Housing Assistance Interview Form, Application Form, and Policies and Procedures Manual ● Wheaton Housing Commission May 2016 Minutes Old Business: ● none. New Business: ● Commissioner Hudock reviews the updated Wheaton Housing Assistance Summary. A new application was received on 9/29, and meets the requirements to receive assistance from the program. The program would have 55 in the program with this new applicant, with a balance of $5,500 remaining within the budget. Commissioner Ellerman motioned to approve the application into the program, and Commissioner Johnson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. ● Commissioner Hudock discussed future openings within the Housing Commission. Commissioner Salgia will not reinstate after his term expires in February 2017. Commissioner Harding has also resigned from the commission as of October 13, 2016. Mr. Kreidl mentioned that Sharon Barrett has a 1  list of volunteers that can be contacted. Commissioner Hudock will plan on contacting Ms. Barrett for more information. ● The commission discussed what is considered income, and possible proof of income requirements. ○ The new application states that “Applicant MUST provide a copy of their most current filed TAX RETURN”. In addition, include language that allows for those exceptions where applicant does not meet the minimum income requirement. The commission proposes these following changes: ■ The new language should state “Applicant must provide a copy of their most current filed tax return” at the top. ■ Replace “Social Security Benefits (applicant)” with “Social Security Benefits (attach statement)”. ■ Replace “401K funds received (provide 401K statement)” with “Retirement Fund Income Received (provide fund statement)”. ■ Replace Pension funds received (provide pension statement) with “Pension Funds received (attach statement)”. ■ Replace “Salaries received (provide W2 statement)” with “Salaries received” ■ Replace “Interest received (provide bank statement)” with “Interest received” ■ Replace “Stock Dividends received (provide bank statement)” with “Stock Dividends received” ■ At the bottom, “All other documents must be available for review at time of interview”. ○ The assistance application should remove capital letters or underlines, such as MUST or TAX RETURN. ● The Policy and Procedures Manual will be revisited, specifically the Appendix C material, which include the application and the new housing assistance interview form. The commission asks Lindsay Qualkenbush to modify the application form and interview form before the Policies and Procedures Manual is approved. ● Commissioner Johnson would like to adjust the poverty income cap in the interview form from “$23,500” to “$23,800” to match the 200% of poverty level requirement. Commissioner Johnson motioned and Commissioner Ellerman seconded the motion. The commission carried unanimously. ● Commissioner Hudock learned of a Senior Advocacy Council in the city of Elmhurst, which is a program within the city that provides support for resident seniors. The Metropolitan Family Services of DuPage supplies a grant to the city of Elmhurst. The new Executive Director at MFS is Angela Benson and helped the city of Elmhurst’s program. Commissioner Hudock would like to consider having a meeting with the key leaders of this to consider starting this in the city of Wheaton. Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda: ● The commission will explore new ideas and programming for the housing commission, such as expanding housing assistance within the city, broadening our education on low-income housing within the city, and advocating for senior services within the city. Adjournment: Commissioner Rybinski motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:29 p.m. and Commissioner Iseman seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 2