TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING WORKSHOP
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
August 17, 2005
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor
Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, and Mr. Robert Karge, the Town Clerk. Members of the Affordable Housing Board present were: Pastor Leon Hall, Mr. Miles Circo, Ms. Mary Ann Draut, Ms. Sindy Reyes, Ms. Pam Gates and Mr. Otis Sampson.
At 6:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Mayor Willey asked that a Chairman be elected at the next meeting.
Mayor Willey asked how applicants would be qualified. He questioned the disbursement of equity in homes should the recipients move after a period of time.
Mayor Willey stated that he would like to set up guidelines for contributions from developers.
Mayor Willey asked if the Town of Easton should be doing inspections after a person occupies an affordable home. He discussed liens that would revert the property back to the town if payment does not occur.
Mayor Willey stated that the biggest problem he sees with the Affordable Housing Trust/Board is the Administration of the program.
Mayor Willey suggested that renovations from Affordable Housing funds occur on owner occupied housing and not rentals.
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked that a leadership and goals for the commission be set up and a schedule for meetings.
Mr. Ford discussed the ordinance that established the board and the purview of this board.
The Town Attorney discussed Ordinance No. 483. He stated that the first thing the board is to do is to establish the Affordable Housing Fund and act as an administrator to that fund. The second goal for the board is to advise the Mayor and Council on issues having to do with affordable housing in terms of policy, directives and policy controls. Mr. Kehoe discussed the duties of the Administrator.
Discussion occurred regarding meeting dates and times. It was the consensus of the Board to meet prior to regularly scheduled Council meetings at 5:30 p.m. The Town Attorney advised the Board to notify the Town Clerk to reserve the room, post the meeting and keep minutes.
Mayor Willey suggested that the next meeting be held August 22 then go to the Council meeting schedule.
The Town Attorney discussed Elm Street’s in-kind contribution.
Mr. Ford asked if there is any particular information the Board needs to review.
Ms. Scott-Taylor distributed Findings of Facts for the Elm Street ordinance.
Mr. Circo discussed the Habitat for Humanity houses. He stated that they are approximately 1,100 square feet and cost about $40,000 to build. Mr. Circo discussed the volunteers, crews and labor that Habitat gets for free. He stated that these families have a combined income of $25,000 or less. Mr. Circo stated that his goal is to come up with a program that allows us to tap into all the various organizations that can help solve this problem. He stated that most of the families prefer to live in Easton.
Pastor Hall stated that affordable housing for some does not mean the same thing for others.
Ms. Reyes asked if a person gets a house through Habitat and through the years, her economic condition changes, can the owner sell the house.
Mr. Circo discussed Habitat’s program that ties up the equity so the family cannot go out and get a second mortgage. He stated that the value between what was paid and what it was appraised for remains for Habitat for ten years.
Ms. Jackson-Amis reminded those present that there is a part of the West Side in the Historic District and some renovations in that area may have additional expenses.
Mr. Ford discussed inclusionary zoning. He stated that we need to look at workforce affordable housing and the next couple of tiers up in affordability and make sure that we say we want to create neighborhoods in our new development, that we are legislating those developers, forcing them to provide different price points to allow people of varied economic categories to purchase a home.
Pastor Hall stated that he thinks that what we should be able to do is look at a balance to see how both those concerns can be addressed; if you put too many of one type of house then that would drive the price up.
Mr. Kehoe stated that one of the benefits of living in this area is having a wealth of retired people who have dealt with this issue. He suggested tracking them down and finding out how this works.
Mr. Circo discussed developments with mixed priced houses.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon unanimous consensus, the Affordable Housing Workshop was adjourned.
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Town Clerk