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207 <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said she is still interested in making the point that more low-income <br />housing is needed in the region, and suggested that the best way to address this may be <br />through the Piedmont Housing Alliance. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter encouraged the speakers who corranented during the public hearing to <br />go to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and their Housing Committee, the Thomas <br />Jefferson Planning District Commission, and other jurisdictions to express their views as she <br />does not feel that services for low income people are as adequately covered in other areas of <br />the region. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he originally thought of amending the Consolidated plan as a means <br />to address concerns about the concentration of low-income housing in Charlottesville in the <br />long-term. Mr. Toscano said that unless there is a regional approach to providing <br />low-income housing, Charlottesville will not be able to sustain the effort in the low-term <br />Mr. Toscano said he feels it is important to make the Consolidated Plan genuinely regional. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she feels that the City has a pretty comprehensive housing strategy <br />which includes the desire to maintain and upgrade existing housing stock, both owner and <br />renter occupied. Ms. Richard said she had originally understood that changing the <br />Consolidated Plan would discourage conversion of property from owner to renter occupied, <br />as she is concerned that CDBG funds not be used to encourage this type of conversion. <br /> <br /> Ms. Claudette Grant, Grants Administrator in the Department of Community <br />Development, said that she is not aware of any conversions using CDBG funds, and is aware <br />of one case where there was a conversion from owner to renter occupied with HOME funds. <br /> <br />Council unanimously voted to maintain the existing Consolidated Plan, <br /> <br />RESOLUTION: NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM <br /> <br /> Ms. Judith Mueller, Director of Public Works, explained that the Cky's Neighborhood <br />Strategy Team recommends initiating a neighborhood matching grant program for capital <br />projects which will allow neighborhoods to leverage capital money in exchange for volunteer <br />labor and private funds. Neighborhoods will be eligible to apply for up to $5,000 per year. <br />Ms. Mueller said that the program is viewed as a pilot program, with funds to be awarded <br />beginning in July. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks the proposal is a fantastic initiative and asked what types of <br />projects are anticipated. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller said that improvements to neighborhood entrances, small park <br />improvements, and the addition of flowers, trees and shrubs are expected to be requested on <br />both public and private property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that this program may be appropriate for the Historic Resources Task <br />Force to access for some of their recommendations. <br /> <br /> Mr. James King said that he concerned that the volunteer time requirement may burden <br />associations and suggested that the Federation of Neighborhood Associations be asked to <br />appoint a committee to look at the proposal in detail. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he feels that the proposal is a modest start and suggested that an ad <br />hoc committee could be added in the future if it is felt to be necessary. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano made a motion to approve the concept and to set the process in motion. <br />Mr. Cox seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by Council. <br /> <br /> <br />