Human Services Advisory Commission

 Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2007
7:30 - 9:20 PM
Glenview Mansion

Re:  Call Meeting to Order/ Introductions

Tim Stranges called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and introduced the guest speaker.

Re:  Guest Speaker:  David Jefferson, Executive Director Rockville Housing Enterprises (RHE)

David Jefferson told Commission members that RHE has many new projects.  But first he is looking to establish partnerships with other agencies in Rockville.  He recently met with staff from the City’s Community Services Division to discuss developing an after school program in David Scull that would target middle school youth.  He thinks this is a great idea.

RHE currently provides programs related to housing and self-sufficiency including: 

• Housing Choice Program:  Each family in this program has a subsidized voucher and pays 30% of gross income for rent.  Residents live throughout the city in all neighborhoods.  Most of the families are low to middle income.  Most are also working families.
   
• HUD Program:  RHE is the landlord for 105 families in this program.  Usually termed “public housing”, this is RHE’s second largest program.  Families have to be working and have a certain credit rating to participate.  Housing options include 29 scattered site units and 76 units at David Scull.  All of these are considered aging housing stock.
   
• Self-sufficiency Program:  This program challenges families to work toward self-sufficiency.  Individual families set goals including completing school, home ownership, paying off debt, etc.  RHE sets up an escrow account for each family to help with a down payment, closing costs, paying bills.
   
• Section 8 Home Ownership Program:  Sixty units were torn down in Lincoln Park.  Families who lived there were relocated.  RHE is now in the process of building 116 new units, called the Legacy Project.  Families earning at least $54,000/year will be able to purchase a $400,000 town house.  They are looking at delivery of these homes in June or July of 2007.  Whenever a housing authority tears down housing, it is required by HUD to replace it with affordable housing.  The new housing must also include a rental component.

RHE is also responsible for maintaining the MPDU units at Fallsgrove and King Farm that are administered by HOC and is in the process of replacing the David Scull community building with a new administration building on First Street.  This will be a two or three-story office building, which, in addition to housing RHE’s staff, will offer a tenancy opportunity.

Currently, according to David, HUD is funding housing authorities at 76%.  Some of the larger housing authorities have had to lay off staff.  Smaller agencies like Rockville are affected in different ways.  RHE uses an asset management form of organization.  They will also be doing grant applications.

Sarah Duffy asked whether RHE’s efforts are filling the need for affordable housing in Rockville.  David said there is still a huge need.  HOC recently opened their waiting list.  They had 20,000 applicants for affordable housing in Montgomery County.  RHE receives approximately 100 calls each week from people inquiring as to housing availability.  Eric Wang asked if RHE tenants are allowed to lease rooms in their homes to earn additional income.  David said that leasing a room is a violation of the lease.  RHE checks postal records, makes inspections and does annual recertifications to check on who is actually living at an address.

Michelle Beadle asked what the definition of a “working family” is.  David responded that the family must have full or part time, stable employment.  The definition is based on the stability of the employment.  In some instances families may have income from disability benefits or SSI.  Each family must pay a minimal rent of $50.  Michelle then asked about average family size and whether the new housing will have a sufficient number of bedrooms.  David said that average household size is four (a single parent with three children).  Three bedroom units will work for most families.  For larger families RHE has the Housing Choice Program, which has a wait list.  Individual landlords own different size houses.  But on the public housing side, the largest unit is a four bedroom. 

David was also asked about rent control.  He said that the Housing Choice Voucher Program has a payment standard, which is the maximum amount the agency will pay, e.g. $1,800 for a three-bedroom apartment.  A landlord can’t raise the rent above the payment standard although sometimes residents agree to pay an additional amount to stay in an apartment.

Currently, David said, RHE has a staff of 16 people.  Some positions are currently vacant.  RHE is 100% independent of HOC.

Mary Lou Jacobs said that in the last round of CDBG funding, the City’s allocation was reduced.  RHE took the brunt of that reduction.  Historically, RHE has received $100,000 each year to repair units.  A reduction of this size has a community impact.  David said that RHE would be applying to the City this week for funds to replace the CDBG funds.

Tim asked David how the Human Services Advisory Commission could help RHE to achieve their goals.  David said that they are in the process of interviewing a new resident counselor.  Once that position is filled, he would like that employee to become familiar with the HSAC.  He will need assistance in having the new resident counselor learn about community resources in Rockville and he considers it important to network.  Also, RHE needs to learn about grant opportunities.