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Mr. Sicha indicated that the draft 5-year plan has been on public comment since March 12. The <br /> document spends a great deal of time indicating the needs of low to moderate-income families, <br /> and those of vulnerable populations (homeless individuals, developmentally disabled individuals, <br /> individuals suffering from substance abuse, etc.) Much of the data in this plan comes from 2011- <br /> 2015. The reason for the lag is due to a significant amount of data that needs to be exchanged <br /> between HUD and the Census Bureau regarding 1200 different jurisdictions throughout the <br /> United States. <br /> Mr. Sicha noted that the goals of Lakewood's plan centered around improving and expanding <br /> affordable housing, revitalizing residential neighborhoods, increasing economic opportunities, <br /> providing needed public services to the elderly and the disabled, and reducing homelessness/at- <br /> risk homelessness. <br /> Chairman Bullock inquired as to whether the goals of the plan are continuous from what was <br /> done in the past and if the goals leave any large policy items out. Mr. Wyman indicated that <br /> many of the goals have been continuous since at least the year 2000 because they have been <br /> consistent needs of the city over time. These needs are consistent among inner ring suburbs <br /> throughout the county. Mr. Wyman also added that if anything was left out, it was due to the <br /> policy item not fitting into HUD statutory regulations. <br /> Councilmember Rader asked how the city's 8 step affordable housing strategy guides how the <br /> federal dollars would be implemented. Ms. Leigh indicated that the majority of programming in <br /> the city's strategy directly correlates to the use of federal funding laid out in the city's HUD plan. <br /> Mr. Wyman outlined some of the overarching funding appropriations included in the FY2020 <br /> Lakewood plan, which he attempted to email to Councilmembers during the virtual meeting. <br /> Chairman Bullock asked if the city anticipates any regional or economic trends that influence the <br /> 5-year HUD plan. Mr. Sicha and Ms. Moll indicated that the data is just starting to pick up on the <br /> housing market recovery that has been occurring in Lakewood in recent years. Low to moderate- <br /> income families will continue to exist and present needs, despite the rise in single-family home <br /> sale prices. The group collectively expressed the need for extrapolation of data due to its age and <br /> the current circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis. Chairman Bullock expressed a desire to <br /> pursue a definition of low-moderate income family that is more tailored to the Lakewood <br /> housing market. The Planning Department reached out to the regional HUD office regarding the <br /> definition of an affordable rent. Research indicated that Lakewood's rents fell in the middle of <br /> the definition of a fair market rent. <br /> Mr. Wyman's email regarding the FY 2020 Lakewood HUD plan eventually was delivered to <br /> Chairman Bullock who forwarded it the members of the committee. Discussion of the document <br /> will occur next Finance Committee meeting. <br /> Chairman Bullock adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m. <br />