Joint Meeting of
Housing Commission, Housing Trust, Lincoln Foundation (Troika)
Minutes of February 7, 2008
Members Present: Rayna Caplan, Renel Fredriksen, George Georges, Tim Higgins, Kathy McHugh, Terri Morgan, BJ Scheff, Ellen Meyer Shorb, Gary Taylor, Mark Whitehead
Others Present: Christina Brown, Deborah Dorsey, Tim Taylor
Call to Order: 7:35 AM
Discussion:
Minuteman Commons
Tim presented a proposal from the Mayo Group. They would like to get the over-55 restriction removed. Issues discussed included what would happen to condo fees if additional units were made affordable. Tim Taylor was present and spoke representing the Mayo Group. Tim suggested that the Mayo Group would consider converting two additional units to affordable if he could get the support of the Town for the removal of the restriction.
HOME Consortium (HUD)
Mark explained the background of our inclusion in HOME and the HOME funds, including the information that in 2004 HOME funds were used to buy down a condominium at Greenridge. Every year Lincoln receives an allocation of funds which can be used for affordable housing. There are restrictions that come with the funds, so not every project is appropriate. We stand to lose our current funds, as they will expire in July. Mark proposed that we lend the funds to another HOME community, who will then repay them at a later time when we have an appropriate project. BJ Scheff moved and Rayna Caplan seconded approving Mark's proposal. Voted unanimously.
Group Home Proposal
We discussed the TILL proposal. Items that need looking into include:
? Insurance on the property (who carries it?)
? Do we want to have a set-aside for repairs and maintenance? What would be the right amount? 5% - 8% was suggested as a possible range.
Information we need to obtain from TILL includes:
? A more detailed needs assessment
? How do they handle neighborhood concerns?
? What are their relationships with local safety officers?
? How do they manage their properties?
? What are their parameters? Which ones can we set?
Ellen Meyer Shorb suggested that we obtain references from TILL prior to the next meeting. We would request contacts from TILL, and Troika members would volunteer to make phone calls. Everyone would report back at our next meeting. Specific contacts would include:
? Families and neighbors
? Appropriate state agencies
? Town contacts in towns where they manage properties
We also agreed that we should research alternative management firms as well so we had someone with whom to compare TILL. BJ Scheff agreed to contact Jewish Family Services and Ellen Meyer Shorb will contact Minuteman Arc. Both will be asked if they would be interested in considering a group home in Lincoln, and would be asked to make a presentation if they are.
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