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2O <br /> <br /> Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of Community Development, <br />explained that the Comprehensive Housing Affordability <br />Strategy (CHAS), formerly the Housing Assistance Plan, is <br />required by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban <br />Development to fund existing and new housing programs, and <br />has a goal of providing every family with affordable decent <br />housing. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Dr. Joseph Mooney of Sunset Avenue stated that he <br />thought the proposed housing strategy will have a great <br />impact on the City and pointed out that the strategy <br />acknowledges that support services will be needed for <br />families who might move into the housing. Dr. Mooney <br />recommended that the support service category be moved to the <br />first priority. Referring to the statistics showing that <br />surrounding counties are low in assisted housing provided and <br />to the fact that the City has been ranked high in fiscal <br />stress, Dr. Mooney recommended that the following be added to <br />the Relevant Public Policies section: The City will no <br />longer approve subsidized housing plans until: 1) costs, <br />both short and long term and including support service costs, <br />are estimated, and 2) the sources of revenue to meet these <br />costs have been identified~ <br /> <br /> As there were no other speakers the public hearing was <br />closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the percentage of owner occupied <br />units has actually increased in the City, with even higher <br />percentages for African Americans. Mr. Toscano stated that <br />he is a member of the Regional Housing Task Force and <br />suggested that monies could be made available for a regional <br />housing strategy, with the possibility of extra funds <br />available for those communities which have adopted and <br />carried out a fair share housing plan. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt it was a good sign that <br />the gap between the number of families identified who need <br />assistance (1,568) and those actually receiving assistance <br />(1,222) has decreased. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that it was troubling that no <br />additional subsidized units have been authorized in Fluvanna, <br />Greene, Louisa and Nelson Counties, and only a minimal number <br />authorized in Albemarle County. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that home owners receive a tax subsidy <br />by deducting the interest on their homes. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters suggested that Mr. Toscano discuss with the <br />Regional Housing Task Force the possibility of joining the <br />City in the next stage. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix recommended that the Executive Director of <br />the Planning District Commission be consulted on the matter <br />prior to approaching surrounding counties. <br /> <br /> Mr.. Toscano made a motion to accept the CHAS, and <br />requested that the CHAS be amended to add a section (e) to <br />the priority strategies under the Relevant Public Policies as <br />follows: consider service implications of adding any publicly <br />assisted housing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja recommended that the language be added to the <br />text rather than the list of strategies. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that he would accept the amendment on <br />the condition that Council apply the standard equally to <br />assistance to home owners as well as renters. <br /> <br /> <br />