12/6/2011 AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST Minutes

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4 Affordable Housing Trust Affordable Housing Committee Community Preservation Committee Minutes December 6, 2011 Discussion followed with respect to potential funding sources. Mr. Ruchinskas indicated that many communities use their Community Preservation Committees as funding resources for affordable housing opportunities. Presently,the Cape Cod Commission is holding approximately$280,000 in mitigation funds that could be earmarked for affordable housing purposes. It was unclear if the mitigation funding could be utilized for pre-development costs such as a feasibility study. However, it was stated the mitigation funding can be used to create new affordable units,at least three or more. With regards to the use of Community Preservation funding,Mr. Ruchinskas indicated that many Towns transfer a percentage of CPA funds to affordable housing on a yearly basis at Town Meeting. Under the CPA Act,participating towns have the ability to use CPA funds to employ part-time staff to manage affordable housing, and to implement affordable housing plans. In considering the development of an RFP, it was agreed the scope of the feasibility study should be further defined by the Affordable Housing Committee in conjunction with the Housing Authority and in consultation with the Office of the Town Manager/Board of Selectmen. It was also agreed the Affordable Housing Trust through its Board of Selectmen would control the expenditure of funding. In the process,the property would be turned-over to the Housing Authority for the development and management of the rental units. Due to the prevailing wage requirement, it was agreed the Trust and/or Housing Authority would not participate in the development aspect of the affordable housing proposal. It was suggested Mr. Ruchinskas consult the(8)municipal Affordable Housing Trusts on the Cape to network, and perhaps conduct an additional workshop on this matter. It was noted that Mashpee currently has a percentage rate of 3.8 with respect to existing homes deeded in perpetuity as affordable. Success of affordable housing is often a combination of political leadership and the capacity of the Town to support affordable housing. In discussing affordable housing, it was noted Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod has built fourteen homes in Mashpee and two additional homes are pending on Town-owned land. Habitat for Humanity also applies to the CPC for construction assistance. The Trust has the ability to purchase lots for development by a non- profit entity such as Habitat which would eliminate the need for an RFP.