2007-01-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Mr. Renfro Manning, a member of University Baptist Church and IMPACT, an organization of 21 Charlottesville churches, said there is concern about housing and transportation for those with limited incomes. He said he thinks the proposed Charlottesville Affordable Housing Investment Program (CAHIP) is a good step. He said IMPACT’s interest is centered around those with 0% to 30% of the median income. He said he would like to see the proposal go even further. Mr. Overton McGee, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, asked Habitat clients and board members in the audience to stand and a number of people stood. He said Habitat has sold 26 houses which are now assessed at $4.8 million. He said the community has a housing crisis, and he hopes Council will fully fund CAHIP and will continue the housing initiative fund. Mr. Jeff Snyder, 800 Druid Avenue, agreed with Ms. Hall’s comments about tree care. He said a great number of trees in Belmont Park were removed and he supported a change in the criteria for handling trees. He also expressed concern about traffic along Rialto by the park and said a traffic hump or raised crosswalk and stop signs are needed. He said this issue has been lost in the neighborhood association process. He said a stop sign at Rockland and Rialto is also needed. Ms. Brynda Loving Kotter, 2023-B Michie Drive, thanked Council for considering CDBG funds for housing. She said affordable housing is greatly needed. She said we need to get people to move back to Charlottesville who have had to move away because of the cost of housing. Mr. Peter Loach, 1620 Rose Hill Drive, supported CAHIP. He said people struggle to pay rent and mortgages. He said we are #2 in Virginia for rent burdens and tied with northern Virginia on the cost of homes. He said CAHIP will help leverage non-City funds. He said the majority of funds proposed for CAHIP are from other than real estate taxes. Ms. Phyllis Meredith, 627 Elliott Avenue, said she is the owner of a Habitat house and agreed with the need for affordable housing. Mr. Reg Woods, 501 Grove Street, representing Habitat for Humanity, said he is a businessman and taxpayer. He said affordable housing is our greatest challenge and is the responsibility of the entire community. He said CAHIP will provide funds to stimulate other funds, and he urged Council to approve the proposal. th Ms. Holly Edwards, 617 6 Street, S.E., PHAR program coordinator, gave an analogy to “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and said Council has a chance to make housing affordable as George Bailey did in the movie. Mr. Noah Schwartz, Executive Director of Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, said we all know about the housing needs. He said the CAHIP proposal is a way to get at the poverty issue and he supports it. Mr. Dan Rosensweig, 740 Lexington Avenue, applauded Council for considering the CAHIP proposal. He asked that Council double the amount available for housing and revisit the housing strategy for low income housing. st Mr. Stratton Salidas, 618 South 1 Street, asked that the proposals he made at a previous meeting for a design of the 250 Interchange without the Meadowcreek Parkway and a new traffic study be done. He said he supports the housing initiatives and said that ultimately it will not cost anything. He said more stable housing reduces dependence on other programs. He said we should aim for mixed use communities, cultural and income. Mr. Faye Mullaney, 1101 Locust Avenue, a board member of PACEM, said one third of homeless people in our community are employed. He said the proposal points toward better answers, and he hopes Council will be supportive.