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6 <br />REPORT: ANNUAL HOUSING REPORT <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert presented to Council. He ga ve an overview of their 2025 goal, which <br />is to increase the ratio of supported afford able units to 15% of total housing units by <br />2025. He updated Council on progress since th e initial 2025 report, including hiring a <br />housing development specialist and collabo ration between CRHA and NDS. He <br />reviewed affordable housing investments, including 60 new units at the SRO at 4 th and <br />Preston, donation of City prope rty at The Woods on the south side of Elliott Avenue, the <br />Nunley townhouses, Timberlake Place, and Su nrise Park. He discussed leveraged funds, <br />reviewed other initiatives, future directi ons and efforts, and reviewed conclusions, <br />including a shift towards funding for build ing housing, instead of social programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked about vouchers for Blue Ridge Commons. Mr. Tolbert said <br />ultimately those may well be taken out in to the community, which will increase our <br />number of supportive housing units. Mr. Norris asked a bout status of the report <br />commissioned through JABA. Mr. Tolbert said staff will send an update to Council next <br />week. <br /> <br /> Ms. Galvin said it is great to see the annual report and recommended pinning <br />down the definition of “affordable housing”. Sh e asked that the CAAR project regarding <br />workforce housing be reexamined. Ms. Szakos said other communities have done <br />general contracting for affordable housing wo rk, and it would be helpful to examine why <br />this works. Ms. Galvin asked if the area on Cleveland was already a low income area and <br />requested that staff examine other areas that ar e of a higher income level in order to avoid <br />concentrating poverty. Mr. Tolbert said this is a goal, but it is a struggle because land <br />availability is predominantly on the south side of town. Mr. Huja said he is pleased that <br />we are proceeding to build houses and hopes th is will move forward more quickly. The <br />report would benefit from a map. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said staff tried to define affordable housing in the 2025 report. Ms. <br />Szakos said the City is actually more affordable than surrounding areas when you <br />consider the cost of fuel. Ms. Galvin sa id she was excited to see a much more <br />comprehensive approach. <br /> <br /> <br />REPORT/RESOLUTION: URBAN DESIGN/ECONOMIC PLAN FOR AREAS <br />SOUTH OF RAILROAD TRACKS <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert presented to Council on findi ng a way to examine the area of town <br />near the Belmont Bridge to examine possi ble urban design and examine redevelopment <br />issues. Staff proposed assembling an R FP for urban design, economic development <br />analysis and planning, and the urban form. We need to move forward with development <br />of the Levy site and Crescent Halls, but mo re work with the community is needed on <br />what those projects will look like. St aff proposes using $150,000 from CRHA sites to <br />complete work upfront and immediately. This plan is heavily dependent on the