minhpd 06-27-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE HOUSING, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JUNE 27, 2022 AUDITORIUM Present: Councilmembers Bullock, Shachner & Kepple (virtual) Also Present: Councilmembers Marx, Rader & Baker; Building Commissioner Parmelee, Human Services Director Berry, Development Officer Dan Wyman, Planning Director Leininger, Program Manager Martin Castelletti, City Planner David Baas, Trish Rooney & Ray Oslin of Lakewood Community Services Center, Allison Urbanek of Lakewood Alive, Carrie Pleasants of the Fair Housing Center, Matt Orehek of LSC Service Corps. Call to Order: 6:02 p.m. Communication from Councilmembers Rader & Shachner regarding affordable housing. (Referred to HPD 1014122) Councilmember Bullock made opening remarks, discussed the committee's schedule moving forward and made introductions. He remarked that housing affordability has long been considered a contributor to Lakewood's character and diversity and that with housing prices going up, that is being compromised. He shared his vision and goals for the hearing. Councilmember Rader remarked that he and Councilmember Shachner met to discuss affordable housing in 2021 and are looking to move the conversation beyond what the city is doing, but to focus on next steps and a community conversation. Councilmember Shachner remarked that he wanted to hold these hearings to highlight the city's programs and resources, to debunk misconceptions about the Housing Choice Voucher program, to clearly define affordable housing the barriers to creating it, and to look for creative solutions. At the invitation of the Chair, Quail Ave resident Mary Brown shared her story about moving to Lakewood in 2010. Ms. Brown explained that despite financial struggles, she was able to find affordable, family-friendly rental housing in Birdtown in 2010 and 2011 and that in 2012, despite a modest income, she was able to purchase her current home on Quail Ave. She contemplated how even though she is now more financially secure, she would not be able to afford her home today. She highlighted the profound market changes in just one decade's time and how the city must work with underserved residents to find creative solutions or else the city's population will change dramatically. Councilmember Bullock suggested that Ms. Brown's story embodies part of what the committee is looking to address and asked if there are more aspects of the problem hat need to be articulated. Allison Urbanek noted that the city's housing costs began to rise in 2015. At first the rise was slow and thought to be a type of market correction. However, since then,prices have risen 1