Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE HOUSING, PLANNING, & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE <br /> APRIL 21, 2020 <br /> HELD REMOTELY <br /> DUE TO COVID-19 <br /> Present: Councilmembers Shachner(Chair), Kepple, Rader <br /> Also Present: Mayor George; Mary Leigh, Program Manager; Katelyn Milius, City Planner; <br /> Allison Urbanek of Lakewood Alive, Councilmember Neff, Clerk Bach taking minutes <br /> Approval of the minutes of the March 9, 2020 Housing, Planning & Development <br /> Committee meeting. <br /> Motion by President O'Malley, seconded by Councilmember Rader to receive and file the <br /> minutes of the March 9, 2020 Housing, Planning, & Development Committee. <br /> A roll call vote was taken as follows: <br /> Yeas: Shachner, Kepple, Rader <br /> Nays: none <br /> Motion passed. <br /> Rent Assistance Discussion <br /> Councilmember Shachner kicked off the discussion asking for more information about the <br /> estimated size and scope of the community need for rental assistance due to COVID-19. He <br /> asked how the City may be able to provide assistance and if so, where that money will come <br /> from. <br /> Allison Urbanek of Lakewood Alive shared that Lakewood Alive is hearing from about five <br /> callers per week who are in a situation where they are struggling to pay rent due to the crisis. She <br /> described the population as low to moderate income individuals. Some have experienced <br /> problems applying for unemployment. Some are being forced to choose between paying rent and <br /> buying groceries. She has heard from callers that some landlords have been flexible in April but <br /> it's unclear if that flexibility will or can continue into May. <br /> Councilmember Shachner asked the administration to update the Committee on possible <br /> assistance the City can provide with federal funds. <br /> Mayor George stated that they are currently exploring all options but are waiting on guidance <br /> from the federal government. <br /> Ms. Leigh elaborated that there is currently a moratorium on evictions from properties with <br /> federally-backed mortgages such as FHA and Fannie Mae. Evictions are also prohibited in <br /> Section 8 housing and rentals that receive HOME funds. It is estimated that this protection <br /> 1 <br />