Harwich Housing Committee Meeting

Housing Committee Meeting- Minutes

January 21, 2016

Quorum:  Williams, Maule, Secola, Andrews Absent: John McGillen

Guests:  David Spitz, Vicki Goldsmith & Leedara Zola from Habitat for Humanity, Susan Johnson & Robert Wilkins of HECH and Lou Urbano and citizens of Harwich.

• Vicki Goldsmith & Leedara Zola from Habitat for Humanity proposed a plan for 93-97 Main Street
  4-6 homes to be built with 250 - 500 hours of sweat equity creating an opportunity for home ownership where the deed rider survives foreclosure using a $300K grant from the Affordable Housing Fund.
• The purchase would include the lot behind the Chase House and driveway leaving 2 lots up front including the Chase House. 
• They would issue and RFP for the historical preservation of the Chase House as confirmed by Susan Johnson of HECH who spoke and confirmed they support Habitat's plan.
• Lot lines will need to be re-drawn / realigned and access granted from Rte 28
• Anne Stewart (resident) asked how much land/acreage would remain with Chase House and Vicki said there was nothing exact yet (less than what is there now) but no one has stepped up to the buy it so hoping this reduced price would allow for it now.
• Brook Williams, architect – asked how much was in the fund now- $200K – and expressed concern over emptying the account completely for this one project.  The HHC discussed how this fund regenerates every year.  The Trust Fund balance is $200,000+ and these are from the annual lease from the cell tower.  These funds average $70,000+ per year for this fund.
  • Mr. Williams emphasized a need for rental housing vs. home ownership & Vicki Goldsmith discussed how Habitat is based on home ownership. 
  • Mr. Williams also brought up the question of what would happen to the current residents of the homes in front:  HECH said they have a plan to relocate its tenants and talked about how home ownership is more stabilizing for the tenants and for families.
• There was discussion on wanting contingencies for the support (based on where the proposed houses would be, etc.).  Vicki Goldsmith said this was not a fishing trip, that they have built 94 homes on Cape Cod and had done their footwork up to this point. 
• Are Community Preservation Funds available was discussed as well as the site being originally sited for 20 units - Bob Murray's mission and also how this high density would be less appealing than the current  proposal from Habitat according to Habitat.
• Ralph Diamond, neighbor. Concerned about flood zone and wants to be kept in the loop.  He would like to see a drawing of the proposed houses to see where they are going to be located on the property (and in relation to his home).
• Robin Wilkins - Made it clear Harwich needs to get on board with affordable housing and also agrees with Habitat's plan
• Lou Urbano presented his idea of using funds potentially available from Main Street USA to buy the land and rehab the buildings to maintain their historic value and also use the houses for affordable housing after the rehab was complete.  They would provide 5+ rental units including rehabbing the barn as well.  They would use tax credits.  Both historical preservation and affordable housing creation would be accomplished.  They said that if Habitat put the affordable housing units in the back/the property was divided, Main Street USA would disqualify them for rehab funds for the Chase house.  They would seek funding to create these 4-5 rental units or subsidized units).
• Susan Johnson (HECH) told the group that they had already done this footwork to find out if they could rehab the building as well for affordable housing but the cost was prohibitive. She said it would cost $400K to rehab the Chase house.  There was discussion and later a request from the HHC to provide these proposals/footwork done to the committee so they could see the costs as well.  Susan Johnson agreed to provide this information. 
• Joan McCarty commented and wanted to see the letter from Main Street USA stating this.  Further questions came up around what if other properties in this area were to divide their properties, would this disqualify them to funding through this program?
• Eileen Brady – (citizen and former chair of HHC) discussed the similar example of the Alboro House: how it was purchased but the back part/parking lot was kept separate and how it didn’t add up that this couldn’t be done with the Chase House. 
• Roy Coby- questioned the Urbano’s proposal with the idea of rehabbing a historical site and then using it for affordable housing.
• Further discussion from various members of the audience….
• Robert Wilkins (Pres. Of HECH) said they hadn’t been able to find a developer willing to take on the project and that they had done their best to preserve the Chase property.
• The HHC decided they needed further information before voting on their proposed support.  The Urbano’s will provide the letter and contact information from Main Street USA, Susan Johnson will provide background on their attempt to rehab the property (with quotes they received) and Vicki Goldsmith will provide more detailed drawings of where the Habitat homes would be located on the property. 
• Attached are both proposals that were submitted.

Next Meeting is Feb. 1, 2016

Posting officer:  Claudia D. Williams HHC