July 12, 2007

Committee Members Present: Rocky Martin, Carl Bohlen, Alan Norris, Donna Constantineau, Dale Wernhoff.

The meeting came to order at approximately 7:05 PM.

Discussion of Affordable Housing Committee Terms, Direction, Etc.: Dale mentioned the terms of some members were set to expire at the end of July. Rocky said he would look into this but basically the terms would automatically renew. Dale expressed interest in serving again. Alan also expressed interest in serving again but had a couple of issues to discuss. Alan presented the following statistics: there are 1567 residences in Hinesburg (excluding camps, land, or commercial properties), 400 of which are appraised at or below $160,000 (half of these are mobile homes and some are double wides). Is there a need for affordable housing in town if more than 25% of the residences are at an affordable level?

Alan’s second issue was what about people making 60% of the median income (or at least less than 80%)? Most of the affordable housing information we have seen is geared for people making around 80% of the median income. How do we help people making less? Donna said people who are making 50% to 80% of the median income are falling through the cracks. People earning less than 50% of the median income are helped by H.U.D.

Alan thinks inclusionary zoning (IZ) should be regional so that the whole area is on a level playing field. He believes Champlain Housing Trust (a local non-profit proponent of affordable housing; visit their web site: www.champlainhousingtrust.org ) will have no reason to work in Hinesburg if IZ will force a developer to provide affordable housing. Carl feels that IZ isn’t a big deal/help. He thinks it’s the Planning Commission’s responsibility to figure out how to implement IZ.

Rocky and Carl are in agreement that the Affordable Housing Committee (AHC) long term goal is to get a project going in town and would be our next focus after the community survey. Alan believes a project should be clustered (condos), not single family units spread through the town. Rocky suggested the AHC should try a hypothetical project to see how it would work. Alan mentioned helping people in the town’s mobile homes. The suggestion was brought up about buying Triple L Trailer Park to upgrade the housing there. Rocky said some of these mobile homes dated from the 1960’s and were falling apart. Donna stated that rural development money would be available for this if the mobile homes were on owned land. After some discussion it was decided to use Alan’s new parcel south of the village for the location of the hypothetical development.

Donna showed a logo she has been working on for the AHC. She received some input and said she would add in the suggestions.

Discussion of AHC Community Survey: We reviewed the cover sheet and survey. We also discussed ways to deliver the survey. It was suggested that links to the various local and state agencies that deal with affordable housing should be added to the AHC page on the town’s web site, along with a mortgage calculator.

Next Meeting –

August 2^nd – Continue working on the Community Survey; no speaker is planned.

Respectfully submitted

Dale Wernhoff