7/6/2004 AFFORDABLE HOUSING Minutes

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MASHPEE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE MINUTES 7-6-04 Present: Deb'orah Battles, Janne Regan, John Cahalane, Trudi Ide, Eric Smith 1. Call to Order: Meeting convened at 7:05pm 11. a. Unable to approve June 1, 2004 minutes due to lack of quorum. III New Business a. Representatives for HAC — Housing Assistance Corporation — attended the meeting, to discuss working together on affordable housing issues. From HAC, was Deborah Converse, Rick Presbrey, Executive Director; Virginia Ryan, Marketing; and, Patrick Murphy, Board of Directors. A handout was distributed to each Housing Committee member. Mr. Murphy gave an introduction, and told the Committee that HAC is about 25-30 years old now. He has been a HAC volunteer of 10 years and Board member for the past year. HAC has recently completed a strategic planning exercise. To focus on maintaining existing programs, advocacy, outreach and education efforts. Mr. Murphy is the president of Cape.com, a Mashpee- based company with offices in the Mashpee Commons and the Prime Center. They have 18 employees, with just two living in Mashpee at this time, due to lack of affordable housing. Rick Presbrey was introduced to the Committee. He stated that HAC would like to reach out and partnership with Mashpee, such as sharing resources and joining forces (to provide affordable housing). The two groups should compare goals and plans. Discussion was held regarding 4013s. Mr. Presbrey noted that the Chapter 40B program was originally intended for rental housing. The marketplace has dictated such that it has become geared towards home ownership. He recommended that the Affordable Housing Committees (AHC} be fully aware of the legislative and court history of Chapter 40B. He stressed that the Town should argue for what housing you want not just against the development period, and consider impact on legal costs. ANC's argue for what -we want and be willing to .cornpromise somewhat. Speed is the friend of the developer. Important for AHC is to have an active role and fighting for meaningful affordable housing. Mr. Presbrey noted that there have been very few Local Initiative Programs (LIPs) done on the Cape. Rental programs and subsidies were available in the 1970's. At this time the mindset was that government should not subsidize (home) equity. Two HUD-fanded rental developments on Cape Cod around this time were Mashpee Village in Mashpee, and King's Village. It was noted that King's Village has not suffered the same problems that Mashpee Village has, likely due to the fact that King's Village has had a good management company throughout. During the Dukakis administration, 3 affordable housing programs died.