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IURA NIC minutes, 1/10/14 Page 1 of 6
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 274-655
Minutes
IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee
January 10, 2014
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM with members Tracy Farrell, Karl Graham, and
Teresa Halpert present. Also in attendance were Alphonse Pieper, Lee Dillon, Danielle
Harrington, and Carmen Guidi. Staff present were Nels Bohn and JoAnn Cornish.
II. Public Comment
None.
III. Review of Minutes – October 11, 2013
On a motion by Graham and second by Halpert, the minutes of October 11, 2013 passed
unanimously.
IV. New Business
1. Designation of Historic Ithaca, Inc. as a CBDO
Halpert moved, seconded by Graham:
2014 IURA Designation of the Historic Ithaca, Inc. as a
Community‐Based Development Organization
WHEREAS, the Board of Historic Ithaca Inc., (Historic Ithaca) seeks designation by the
Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) as a Community‐Based Development Organization
(CBDO), and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has designated the IURA to administer the City’s HUD
Entitlement Program that oversees Community Development Block Grant funds awarded
to the City, and
WHEREAS, an eligible category of CDBG activities is a “Special Activity by CBDO”, that
offers certain advantages, such as exemption from the 15% expenditure cap otherwise
applicable to public service activities, authorization to carry out new housing construction
Ithaca
Urban
Renewal
Agency
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(normally prohibited with CDBG funds), and discretion to allow income generated by a
CDBG‐funded activity to not be considered CDBG program income, and
WHEREAS, the following four tests established at CFR Title 24 §570.204 must be met to
qualify under a category of “Special Activity by CBDOs”:
1. The entity qualifies as a CBDO, including the 51% board membership test;
2. The CBDO will undertake an eligible project;
3. That the CBDO will carry out the funded activity directly or with an entity other
than the grantee;
4. That the CBDO will not carry out a prohibited activity; and
WHEREAS, a CBDO must maintain at least 51% of its governing body’s membership to be
made up of any combination of the following:
• Low‐ and moderate income residents of its area of operation
• Owners or senior officers of private establishments and other institutions located in
its area of operation
• Representatives of low‐ and moderate‐income neighborhood organizations located
in its area of operation, and
WHEREAS, a CBDO must have as its primary purpose the improvement of the physical,
economic, or social environment of its geographic area of operation, with a particular
emphasis on the needs of low‐ and moderate‐income persons, and
WHEREAS, the project undertaken by the CBDO must qualify as one or more of the
following project types:
• neighborhood revitalization;
• community economic development;
• energy conservation project; and
WHEREAS, at their February 10, 2013 meeting, the Neighborhood Investment Committee
compared Historic Ithaca, Inc. with CBDO eligibility requirements as documented in the
attached materials and recommended the following; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the IURA determines that Historic Ithaca, Inc. meets the requirements for
eligibility as a CBDO, and that the Work Preserve job training program qualifies as an
eligible CBDO activity, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby designates Historic Ithaca, Inc. as a Community‐Based
Development Organization (CBDO) and their Work Preserve job training program as eligible
for CDBG funding under the category of “Special Activities by CBDOs”.
Carried Unanimously
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2. 2013 HOME final rule amendments
A. Schedule for local adoption of revised policies
Members reviewed the schedule for revised policies.
B. Review of proposed HOME homebuyer policy
Members reviewed draft #1, HOME Homebuyer Program Policies, dated 1/10/14. Bohn
noted that the draft was prepared to respond to new requirements established in the
2013 HOME rule amendments.
Regarding physical standards of homes eligible for homebuyer assistance, Farrell
encouraged establishment of essential minimum standards that focus on health and
safety and match existing municipal requirements rather than requiring a new
inspection standard. Bohn indicated he would consult with INHS on this item.
Members asked for more investigation of the appropriate policy for income‐qualified
homebuyer with substantial assets.
Bohn indicated he would consult with INHS on the policy as INHS is the only current
provide of homebuyer assistance in the City and bring back a revised version for the
next committee meeting.
3. Homeless Housing
A. Update on Existing Program and Homeless Housing Initiatives
Bohn updated the Committee on a collaborative community effort to provide housing options
to unsheltered homeless persons in the community, including the so‐called “jungle”. He also
noted that The Rescue Mission has been awarded the contract from the Tompkins County
Department of Social Services to provide emergency shelter services.
B. 2013 Action Plan, Funding Request from TCAction, Inc. for “Housing First”, a tenant‐
based rental assistance program serving 2‐4 unsheltered chronically homeless
individuals.
Dillon reviewed project and indicated that the goal is to provide safe, decent housing to
homeless persons without entry requirements. The concept is that safe, decent and stable
housing is a pre‐requisite to moving out of poverty and accessing other services. TCAction will
rent apartments, have regular check‐ins on participants and connect them with services and
resources to stabilize their lives.
Guidi discussed his Second Wind Cottages project in Newfield where 6 permanent housing units
are being prepared for homeless persons. Guidi noted that “jungle #1” (near Nate’s Floral
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Estates)has been empty for the past 3 week, “jungle #2”(end of Cherry Street) is empty and
“jungle #3” (former Southwest Park behind Walmart) has two long‐term residents, including
pets. He noted that homeless persons are very reluctant to accept housing if they cannot also
bring their pets.
Graham moved, seconded by Halpert:
2013 HUD Entitlement Program – Program Amendment #3, Housing First TBRA
(new 2013 project #24)
Whereas, on January 8, 2014, Tompkins Community Action, Inc. (TCA) requested $20,000 to
fund “Housing First” a tenant‐based rental housing assistance program serving chronically
homeless individuals, and
Whereas, if funded, the program will house 2‐4 chronic homeless individuals by providing
access to safe and appropriate rental housing on a scattered site basis leased by TCA, and
Whereas, $20,230.90 in HOME funds remain unallocated from the 2013 Action Plan reserved to
meet emerging needs, and
Whereas, tenant‐based rental assistance targeted to a subpopulation identified in the City’s
Consolidated Plan is an eligible use of HOME funds, and
Whereas, the City’s 2008‐2013 Consolidated Plan identifies homeless persons as having unmet
housing needs:
Objective D: Supportive Housing
Increase the range of housing options and related services for special need residents,
including homeless people. Meet identified needs by creating additional units or
renovating existing units to meet safety, accessibility and quality standards.
Strategy 1: Retain existing permanent supportive and transitional housing units and
renovating existing units as necessary to enhance safety, accessibility, code
compliance and quality.
Strategy 2: Help community‐based organizations expand existing permanent supportive
and transitional housing facilities for special needs populations.
Strategy 3: Assist community‐based organizations in creation of new transitional and
permanent supportive housing units, and.
Whereas, the “Housing First” program is developed as a component of a coordinated public‐
and private‐sector initiative to provide safe alternatives to unsheltered homeless individuals,
and
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Whereas, at a 12/17/13 Homeless Solution Workgroup meeting convened by the Tompkins
County Department of Social Services, the Red Cross, Tompkins County, TCA and the City of
Ithaca pledged to work cooperatively to shelter all homeless persons seeking housing, including
allowing all chronic homeless individuals to access the emergency housing shelter, and
Whereas, the City of Ithaca has committed to create a mechanism to provide short‐term rental
assistance to chronically homeless individuals while they are stabilized and receiving services,
and
Whereas, a program amendment of $25,000 or less to fund a new activity does not constitute a
“substantial amendment” under the Citizen Participation Plan of the City of Ithaca, therefore
the IURA may take final action on this proposed program amendment, and
Whereas, a tenant‐based rental assistance program qualifies as a type II action under the City of
Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance at §176‐5(C)(25), and an exempt activity at 24
CFR 58.34 under the National Environmental Protection Act, no environmental review is
required for this project, and
Whereas, the Neighborhood Investment Committee reviewed this proposal at their meeting on
January 10, 2014 and recommended the following; now, therefore be it
Resolved, that 2013 unallocated HOME funds in the amount of $20,000 be awarded to
Tompkins Community Action, Inc. for the “Housing First” program to implement a tenant‐based
rental assistance program serving 2‐4 chronically homeless individuals, and be further
Resolved, that the 2013 Action Plan is hereby amended to include “Housing First” as project
#24, and be it further
Resolved, that these funds shall derive from unallocated HOME funds from the City of Ithaca
2013 HUD Entitlement Grant, and
Resolved, that the IURA Chairperson, upon advice of IURA legal counsel, is hereby authorized to
execute any necessary and appropriate documents to implement this resolution.
Carried Unanimously
VII. Old/Other Business
1. Neighborhood Housing Initiative Program
Farrell noted that staff is in discussion with City bond counsel on programmatic changes to
the program.
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2. Other
None.
VI. Motion to Adjourn
Halpert moved, seconded by Graham, to adjourn.
Carried Unanimously
Farrell adjourned the meeting at 10 AM.
― END ―
Minutes prepared by N. Bohn