11/10/2015 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT COMMITTEE Minutes

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3 Community Preservation Committee Minutes November 10, 2015 Leila Botsford h e Housing AuthodW-_HQusj4g Assistance Pro am - $330,000: Leila Botsford, Executive Director of the Mashpee Housing Authority was before the Community Preservation Committee to request CPA funding to support the proposed Mashpee Housing Assistance Program. To continue the previously successful program supported by the Community Preservation Committee, CPA funding is requested for a three-year period at a cost of $110,000 per year. A total of $330,000 to provide assistance in the following areas; Ongoing, short term rental assistance (12-24 months) One-time assistance for first/last/security deposits One-time emergency assistance for rent Mortgage assistance for short term (1-3 months) Down -payment assistance for first time homebuyers. Mrs. Botsford explained the program was modeled initially from the Chatham and Harwich communities. It remains funded on a continual basis by the Towns of Chatham and Harwich. It was disclosed the application before the CPC was previously submitted for funding consideration at the May 2015 Town Meeting. The contents of the application have not changed from last year's submittal. It was noted the program has been fully supported by the CPC. However, the Board of Selectmen did not advocate for the return of program, and the housing assistance application was thus removed from the warrant. The. initial three-year Mashpee Housing Assistance Program was funded by the CPA in May of 2012. At that time, a total of 70 residents were served, and approximately 35 residents were on the wait list for funding. Most of the residents received ongoing short-term rental assistance. The three-year CPA appropriation was expended in full for this much-needed program. Mrs. Botsford indicated the housing assistance program provides support to low income residents, and offers support to those who are in need as a result of a prolonged illness, loss of employment, divorce or other family or personal crisis. Mashpee residents call upon the Housing Authority -on a daily basis in need of short term assistance, whether it is for mortgage assistance, rental assistance, first/last/security assistance or small rental subsidies. Mrs. Botsford notedd that some of the programs are offered as loans while others are grant funded. Approximately 70% of the program participants have made the effort to re -pay their loans. The Housing Authority receives approximately $20 per month per applicant. Funds are re -invested into the housing assistance program revolving account. It was noted in the rental assistance program, funds are ongoing in the form of a grant. Residents receive counseling and goals are established to assist the applicant in working towards self-sufficiency. Rental assistance is subsidized for 12 to 24 months.