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CPC Subcommittee on Emergency Housing Releif Meeting Notes fromBeverly Community Preservation Committee Subcommittee on Emergency Housing Relief Meeting Notes Meeting Date: May 04, 2020 / Time: 10:30 AM CPC members participating: Heather Richter; Derek Beckwith; Thomas Bussone, II; Nancy Marino CPC Committee staff: Denise Deschamps Heather Richter [Chair of the Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the Community Preservation Committee] called the meeting to order and read the remote meeting access policy and meeting ground rules. At the last meeting of the CPC Subcommittee members requested that 10 local /area agencies be contacted and asked the following two questions: (1) has their agency experienced an increase in requests for housing assistance over the last two months as compared with the same period last year and if there is an uptick can it be attributed to the impact of COVID 19; (2) does their agency currently administer a housing relief program and if so how is that program structured. Prior to this meeting Denise Deschamps provided responses from 5 (five) agencies that were identified at the last CPC subcommittee meeting. Deschamps noted that although the agencies to which she spoke had not noted a substantial uptick in requests for housing assistance in the recent months several agencies noted that it might be the result of several factors. The moratorium on evictions may be delaying some people from reaching out for assistance now but demand for assistance may increase substantially once the moratorium is lifted. Also, some, perhaps many of the people being impacted by COVID 19 safety measures may not be familiar with the network of service organizations that exist but if their economic distress is prolonged they may become more familiar with the assistance that exists and feel forced to reach out for help. Based on those responses Tom Bussone noted that the existing safety nets in place appear to be effective. Perhaps landlords are working with tenants that have lost income due to COVID -19 measures. This gives the Committee a little more time to consider its next steps as to deciding whether to invest CPA funds into emergency housing relief and what such a program might look like. Heather Richter asked if Deschamps had an opportunity to reach out to other organizations since her last report. Deschamps noted that Planning and Development Director, Darlene Wynne, had reached out to Beverly Bootstraps. In summary, Bootstraps could take on the administration of a program. They currently perform eligibility screening for other area organizations. The need for assistance may become more intense when the moratorium on evictions is lifted. They are considering the creation of a special fund. Although they don't perceive an increase in requests for assistance due to COVID they have experienced an increase in requests for assistance this year. Bootstraps receives a variety of requests from food assistance to rental /mortgage assistance. Richter stated that she is relieved that they have begun exploring the possibility of providing rental assistance now. There are still so many uncertainties as to how COVID 19 will continue to impact the community, and for how long, with discussion of potential surges in the fall and winter, particularly in combination with flu season. It would be helpful to look more closely at the programs offered by organizations to get a sense of what specific program elements the CPC may want to consider adopting if they choose to fund a program. Bussone agrees that this is an important step. Derek Beckwith mentioned information available via the US Census Bureau relative to household and family income in Beverly and the need to review that information to inform eligibility requirements. The CPC would need to identify a floor and ceiling for income eligibility and it is important to note the profile of households that may be ineligible to receive housing assistance from existing programs. The CPC should focus on individuals and families that are in need yet not eligible for other types of programs. Nancy Marino prioritized the need for emergency rental relief over the use of CPA dollars to develop permanently affordable housing during this unprecedented time. Harborlight Community Partners had noted, in their response to Deschamps' request for feedback on demand for affordable housing and existing programs that HCP focuses on the development of permanent affordable housing such as the "Briscoe" Project and Anchor Point project. Marino continued to note that her primary concern, at the moment, is to help people that are in danger of losing their housing in the short term. Bussone noted several major questions that the CPC would need to address moving forward such as how much funding they would dedicate to this purpose and when would be the optimum time to launch the program. It would be helpful to see current unemployment figures and projections. During the call, Richter located program guidelines for the programs operated by the City of Salem and Action, Inc. which administers a relief program for towns and cities of Cape Ann , Therefore, a number of program guidelines can be located on line and reviewed by the Subcommittee. Richter asked, if such a program were launched, what would be the best methods for reaching those in need that meet the programs eligibility requirements. She expressed concern that those most impacted by COVID 19 may not be familiar with the organizations who typically provide assistance. Bussone suggested several avenues of communication including an announcement in the Salem News, on the city website, by whatever organization that is administering the program, local radio station, a reverse 911 call from the Mayor, communication from other elected officials. Richter provided a recap of next steps for the subcommittee: (1) Deschamps will review program guidelines provided by other organizations and create a matrix identifying the key elements per program; (2) review the CPA budget; (3) review and accept meeting minutes from April 24 and May 4. The next subcommittee meeting is scheduled for May 11 at 10 AM. With a motion to adjourn from Thomas Bussone, and a second from Nancy Marino the meeting adjourned at 11:30 AM.