Agenda and Minutes 2010-05-19
City of Northampton
Community Preservation Committee
210 Main Street, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
Community Preservation Committee
DATE: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (BEHIND City Hall)
Contact:
Fran Volkmann, Chair, Community Preservation Committee
Franv@comcast.net
Tom Parent, Vice Chair, Community Preservation Committee
ParentBridge@hotmail.com
Sarah LaValley, Community Preservation Planner
slavalley@northamptonma.gov
(413) 587-1263
Agenda
Public Comment
Chair’s Report
Minutes
May 5, 2010
o
Housing Presentation
Northampton Housing Partnership
o
Community Housing Needs
o
Review of Bean/Allard Farm Contract
Summer Schedule
CPC priorities for the Plan
Other Business
For additional information please refer to the Community Preservation Committee
website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc/
Community Preservation Committee Minutes
May 19, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: City Council Chambers, 212 Main St.
Members Present: Fran Volkmann, Tom Parent, Brian Adams, David Drake, George
Kohout, Don Bianchi, Downey Meyer
Staff Present: Sarah LaValley
Chair Fran Volkmann called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Housing Presentation
Fran welcomed Pam Schwarz and Peg Keller.
Western Mass Network to End Homelessness
Handout: Western Mass Network to end Homelessness
Pam provided an overview of the housing partnership and Housing First. Shelters have been
incentivized as a long-term solution over the past few decades, and Housing First is an effort to
end that idea, and end homelessness. The Western Mass Network to End Homelessness is a
group of executive and legislative leaders that work together on homelessness prevention,
diversion from shelter, with a particular focus on family homelessness. Funding for the project
was received for 18 months through a state grant, which will end in September 2010. Once that
ends the first priority is to maintain staffing for the project.
State leadership at DHCD is on board with the housing first idea because it reduces cost over the
long term.
Tom noted that the Mayor of Chicopee stated on the news this evening that a great deal of people
being housed in local motels are from the eastern part of the state.
Pam stated that this had been true in the past, but this transfer has shifted.
George noted that Northampton’s shelter is no longer open, and CPC funds are being used to
provide funding for actual housing.
Pam clarified that a shelter-eligible family must demonstrate lack of housing, and then be
qualified for emergency assistance. Many families are placed in ‘scattered site apartments,’ that
function as shelters, with no on-site staffing, such as motels. These are paid for entirely by the
state, and individuals names are not listed on any deeds or leases.
Don pointed out that the CPA currently allows for the production of housing, not housing subsidy.
If SB90 passes, this will change, and subsidies and CPA support of programs like Housing First
will be allowed.
The Committee discussed past housing projects funded with CPA.
Housing Partnership - Community Housing Needs
Handout: City of Northampton Massachusetts Housing Needs Assessment
FY11 Non-Public Service Action Plan Chart
Peg discussed the CDBG comprehensive planning process and the Housing Needs Assessment.
Both had extensive public processes.
Population trends: number of households are increasing, with big increases in smaller, non-
family households. Northampton has a high number of rental units, and higher home prices
higher than surrounding area. ¼ of Northampton households live in housing not considered
affordable for their incomes.
The Committee discussed rental units in college areas.
The Committee discussed limitations in the law that don’t necessarily allow for creation of
housing RLF funds and other housing activities. The Committee recommended funding of Valley
CDC’s application for a rescue fund, but the City Solicitor recommended that this was not allowed
under CPA legislation.
The Committee discussed the difficulty of monitoring and enforcing affordability restrictions.
Peg noted that the need for emergency shelters will continue as people transition out of
homelessness into more permanent housing.
CPC Minutes 1
May 19, 2010
Unmet needs include SRO stock, especially as many of these have recently been lost, a local safe
haven program, and rental for families.
Peg noted that the city doesn’t have a housing rehab program, and likely won’t be able to start one
until the senior center is paid off.
Peg will provide the full Housing Needs Assessment to the CPC when it is complete.
Many nonprofit groups and private developers work to produce affordable housing in
Northampton; however, no major projects are planned in the City over the next few years.
Chair’s Report
The Committee talked about the recent CPA conference in Northampton.
Fran noted that some communities are extremely proactive in distributing CPA funds according
to priority, and work to solicit projects according to their needs.
Fran suggested that an open meeting be held to talk about priorities for CPA funding, even prior
to the public hearing.
David pointed out that the way the CPC is currently run, groups approach the Committee as they
identify projects, so it is responsive to taxpayers.
Downey suggested that the Committee made the decision to treat categories equally, so the CPC
must be responsive to submitted applications.
Fran announced that George has resigned from the Planning Board and will be leaving the CPC
after the next meeting.
Minutes
David moved to approve.
Fran submitted a correction in grammar.
The minutes were approved as corrected
Review of Bean/Allard Farm Contract
The Committee finalized the conditions for the Bean/Allard contract.
Summer Schedule
The Committee agreed on the proposed schedule from the last meeting, and went over some quick
agenda items.
A financial overview is scheduled for June.
Other Business
No other business was discussed.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:15.
Northampton Community Preservation Committee Minutes 2
May 19, 2010