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2 <br /> Mr. Norris asked about the supply of qualified buyers at different price points. <br /> <br /> Mr. Peter Loach of PHA, said that of their 400-500 potential buyers, one quarter <br />are single persons and one quarter are two person households. He said he can provide <br />data on what they can afford. He said there is fear now with the current economic <br />situation about buying homes. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said she would like to address and explore how African Americans <br />can buy homes and assure that they are treated equitably. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would like to follow up on the report about discrimination in <br />lending and put it back on the radar screen. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said she would like to know if current programs are working, and if <br />not, should we change to make them more effective before we fund new programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja suggested that only one place, such as PHA, provide downpayment <br />assistance. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said consolidating programs is currently being tried. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would like to talk about affordable rental criteria. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja suggested that the City buy or help buy property since prices are down. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said targeting assistance to City residents has been brought up before. <br />He noted that available housing is not always in the City. He said credit counseling is a <br />big issue. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked if there is a way for the City to promote affordable banking. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked how Council would measure success. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said one way would be by the number of units produced. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said more data is needed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said he thinks moving people up the continuum would be success. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said it is not just a housing issue, but an economic justice issue. She <br />said she would like to change the culture of what public housing means. She said it is not <br />really transient housing, it is people’s homes. She said that as we measure success we <br />should think about regional resources, i.e., if someone buys a house in Louisa have we <br />failed? <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he thinks it would be a failure if a house in Louisa is their only <br />option. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said we need to have a discussion with other jurisdictions, and as we <br />take on the responsibility for affordable housing, we need to get them to recognize that <br />and contribute to the effort. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that the majority of City employees live outside of the City, but <br />would like to live closer, and asked do we ignore them, or do we allow them to buy in the <br />urban ring? He also asked if someone who lived here up until a year ago would qualify <br />as eligible. He asked if it would be possible to include people who have worked in the <br />City for a certain number of years. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said he would like to limit eligibility of non-City residents to City <br />employees. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he thinks the idea for residency needs to be fleshed out more. <br /> <br />