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4 <br /> Mr. Huja said the SRO interests him, and he would favor allocating funds for seed <br />money. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards asked about discussions about a regional housing authority. <br /> <br /> Ms. Celii said that would kick us up to another level with HUD given the numbers <br />that would be served, and we could not handle it. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown suggested looking at that issue more thoroughly. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards asked if the down payment assistance program is not being used, <br />could we explore emergency rent relief or foreclosure prevention with those funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Loach said that foreclosure is a big issue. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja agreed to use the funds to help foreclosures if the down payment <br />assistant program is not feasible, but he added that he does not want the City to be in the <br />permanent mortgage business. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert noted that federal money is available for foreclosures, and staff will <br />learn more about that. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would like to hear how other localities are helping out. He said <br />he would like to make it clear that we are looking for RFPs that include energy <br />efficiencies. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said he would support using funds for new affordable housing <br />construction, and Mr. Norris agreed. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked what Mr. Huja has in mind, and Mr. Huja said condos or single <br />family units. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said she would like to have more data about the number of <br />affordable units in the City. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked if research could be done with housing funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that a lot of that information does not exist. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said he is hesitant to add the housing planner right now. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja agreed about the need, but said we may not be able to maintain what we <br />have. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he is generally supportive of the idea, and said we cannot expect <br />current staff to do the work. He said he would support it if funded through these funds, <br />and it is not an ongoing City employee. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said she sees the position as being an ombudsman. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked if Councilors agree with the $150,000 for workforce housing, <br />and Councilors agreed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said the issue of bonds will be brought back to Council. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said that the amount for the master plan for CRHA concerns him, and he <br />asked if that would be an ongoing commitment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said not right now. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said we have the opportunity do the master plan for CRHA really <br />well. <br /> <br />