Minutes from MARCH 18, 2002

ATTENDANCE: Nathaniel Shipp, Chairman; Heather Rodin, Lori Torrano Steve Papadakos

STAFF: Margaret Suib, Fair Housing Officer

OTHER: Al Ayme, Norwalk Public

CALL TO ORDER

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

FAIR HOUSING OFFICER’S MONTHLY REPORT

Ms. Suib summarized her written report There was a hearing in February for a landlord who would not rent to a Section 8 recipient. There were three settlement cases. A preliminary hearing has been held for another case and that case will be heard in October on a "for cause finding" with a settlement of approximately $40,000. Ms. Torrano inquired how the settlement amount was developed. Ms. Suib stated that all the circumstances are considered and the State has been raising its dollar amount. This case is both a City of Norwalk and a State of Connecticut case. This case from start to finish will be three years to completion. During the last six weeks there has been a large amount of Fair Housing work. The Housing Authority and its legal counsel are working with Ms. Suib to resolve two issues.

Ms. Suib said she is currently working with Weed & Seed. They have a target neighborhood on Lexington Avenue. Crime has been reduced, the City is seeking to build new housing, and lighting has been improved. She was invited by the Justice System to assist Weed & Seed in early March.

Ms. Rodin inquired whether answers are given to out-of -town inquiries. Ms. Suib commented that she answers State Law questions and explains that she is funded by the City and could not help them beyond that point. She refers them to a local support agency or the Mayor’s office in their city or town.

BUSINESS

Commissioner’s Reports from Representative Agencies and Planning FHAC Housing Forum

The Chairman stated that the Forum should be held in April. Ms. Torrano said that the Chamber report was very informative. She stated that they have identified the main obstacles and working with the individuals involved would be helpful.

Ms. Suib said she agreed, however, the Chamber was working on affordable housing, not fair housing. Ms. Rodin stated it would be good to read what the other agencies have said.

The Chairman said that he found Stamford’s initiative plan for implementation, requirements for housing very useful. He suggested that the Advisory Commission use some of this information to develop Norwalk. Ms. Suib said that she has the background materials which were given to her by Stamford to develop the figures in the report.

Mr. Papadakos attended the Human Relations meeting which noted supply of affordable housing is lacking in this area. Trying to have the Avalon Bay units set aside affordable units was mentioned. It was also noted that incentives for builders should be looked into as well.

Ms. Rodin had information on the NAACP that expressed that the Mayor and the Council must push this forward from the top. Zoning which would make it possible to allow for affordable housing should be investigated. The Reed Putnam plan has housing, but it does not have a provision for affordable housing. Another item was whether the City has applied for money in support of affordable housing. Ms. Torrano stated that grant money has been obtained for the City. Ms. Suib stated that the money thus far has been for first-time home buyers, not affordable housing. Ms. Rodin also noted from the meeting that even though Norwalk has met the State ten percent margin for affordable housing efforts, it does not satisfy the affordable housing for the size of the population. The NAACP said that there should be more publicity about what the Commission and what the Officer does in the City.

Mr. Papadakos raised the question as to how fast Norwalk is growing. Ms. Suib stated that the move-in and move-out as well as deaths and births have kept the City at the same level. If there has been a change, it has been upward.

The discussion by the Commissioners included both Reed-Putnam and upper Norwalk. Both areas need to have people living in the area, not just commercial and retail business. Ms. Rodin stated that if there is no mandatory regulation that makes the builder put in affordable housing there may be non.

Ms. Rodin commented that this Commission should put things in place that will set up regulations for housing. Ms. Suib agreed that this Commission can present the information to the Council as it is empowered to do. Ms. Rodin suggested inviting the Mayor, and having Michael Green, from Zoning, Mr. Musante from Redevelopment and the Stamford people who created their documentation speak about these needs.

The Chairman stated that a commitment from the Mayor and the Council would be a good publicity item. He also suggested that a slogan be developed.

Ms. Rodin stated that the Commission has to do the leg work to create a statement on affordable housing. Ms. Suib stated that the message must come down from the Mayor on Policy on affordable housing.

The Chairman said he would meet with the Mayor and explain what the Commission plans are for having a forum on affordable housing.

** MS. RODIN MOVED THAT THE FAIR HOUSING ADVISORY

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

It was suggested by Ms. Suib to do so before Memorial Day and invite those who have worked on the project thus far. The Council, Mayor and others will be contacted for an afternoon meeting.

Ms. Torrano stated that the unspoken barrier may be that requirements have been met and there is no compelling need because they are on track with the State requirements.

Ms. Rodin said that these towns see minorities and others when affordable housing is mentioned. They do not see them as the working public.

Mr. Papadakos suggested inviting the public for input. Ms. Rodin commented that the agencies have gone out to the public and created documentation. She suggested a press release on the subject and hold a press conference. Ms. Suib suggested piggy-backing on the Chamber report. Ms. Torrano stated no one should be left out who gave input to the report by not mentioning them. Ms. Rodin said she did not agree with the term "piggybacking". Ms. Torrano stated that the mentioning of the report would add strength to what the Commission intends to do.

Information for details of the forum will be made at the next meeting. Some agencies have not yet responded, they would be called by Ms. Suib. Copies of submitted material will be sent to all.

OLD BUSINESS

Ms. Rodin said she called the Commissioners. They responded that reports should come from the FHAC. It should be done as designed, or if it should be changed, it should done through the Ordinance. This would create a cooperative report by the Officer and the Advisory.

Ms. Suib questioned the process for the annual report. It should be what the Consent Decree advises. Ms. Rodin stated that the report should contain the activities, enforcement and requirements under the laws specified in the Consent Decree. If that does not work going through the Advisory Committee, then changes will have to be made. Reports developed by the Officer would go through the Commission and, upon acceptance, become Commission reports.

Ms. Rodin raised the question that since the bank did pay for it, would it contaminate a future lending study where that bank is one of the ones being evaluated? Ms. Suib stated that the budget has been set up for 2002/3 by allocating $600.

Ms.Torrano stated she did not see added value in the lending report regarding rejections. The data is not in the report. She also stated that the underwriting is not consistent. She felt there are problems that are not being addressed.

Ms. Rodin inquired whether Ms. Suib was committed to publishing a lending study. Ms. Suib stated she would as it brings the bankers to the table lending to people who would not normally get to go to a bank.

** MS. RODIN MOVED TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM ON

** MR. SHIPP SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The program should be a door-to-door campaign using flyers and there should be a press release on it. The flyer should have bullets of things to look for as predatory.

Mr. Papadakos said that he works for a credit union and it may not present a problem to fund an activity. Ms. Suib will inquire of Corporation Council.

Mr. Ayme commented that he did not remember the Commission authorized a bank to pay for an activity. He stated that it was good that cases are going to the courts for resolution and not between Fair Housing and Fair Rent Agency. He stated that the City is made up of residential and multi-family housing. The region includes Norwalk and Stamford. The median income in Norwalk is higher. He stated that he did not favor the report submitted last year. He recalled that the report alluded to Norwalk as a "white collar" city. He felt that the report should come out of Fair Housing. Ms. Suib stated that Redevelopment is mandated to do the report as the receiver of the money from HUD. Mr. Ayme requested copies of the agenda and minutes.

Ms. Rodin said the information can be sent as a courtesy. Ms. Suib asked for a written request for materials. Ms. Rodin asked the Commissioners whether it would present a problem. Mr. Papadakos mentioned that the minutes and agendas will be on-line and Mr. Ayme will be able pull the information off the computer. Any subsequent requests for mailings will be acknowledged as had his first request to Ms. Suib. There may be a small fee for paper and coping the materials.

ADJOURNMENT

The chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alvina L Richardson Decker

Telesco Secretarial Services

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