Important 2013 Richmond Affordable Housing Forum to be held

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED Friday, 13 September 2013 Important 2013 Richmond Affordable Housing Forum to be held Fact finding public event to aid in creation of study WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) -- The Richmond City Council Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board will hold a 2013 Richmond Affordable Housing Forum. This important event will include a panel of three experts that will provide key information regarding affordable housing and engage public discussion. The meeting is free and open to the public. All residents and members of the home lending, building and selling community are invited and encouraged to attend. Public feedback gained at the event will assist with the completion of a report being produced by the Richmond City Council Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board. A goal of the event is also to provide for a more informed community regarding the difference between affordable housing and public housing. Also of importance is building an understanding of the economic impact that an increased supply of housing for low to moderate income working families has for a community and identifying key revenue sources that can be dedicated to funding such need. The Richmond City Council Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board report will help in defining dedicated revenue sources and programming choices needed to meet the demand for affordable housing in Richmond. The Forum Host and Moderator will be The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council Gateway 6th Voter District. Agenda Forum presentations The event will include the following distinguished panel that will present and field questions. • Ms. Mary Brooks Presentation topics: National Affordable Housing Trust Funds Overview; Best Practices; Funding Sources Available • Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Presentation topics: Richmond Housing Maps; History and role of mortgage lenders, Recent Housing Studies; Sub-prime lending issues affecting our area; How lending policies contribute to provision of quality housing • Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Master Developer for Richmond Creighton Court and Whitcomb Court Presentation topics: Public Housing; Mixed Income Neighborhoods; Value of deconcentration of poverty, the rebuilding of mixed-income communities Public Input, Questions and Answers Attendees are invited and encouraged to provide ask questions, provide input and discuss affordable housing. WHEN Tuesday, September 24, 2013 6:30-8:00 p.m. WHERE Richmond Times Dispatch Downtown Building - Conference Room 300 E. Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 CONTACT For more information, please contact The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Gateway 6th Voter District, at 804.646.7964 (tel), or ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com (email) BACKGROUND ______________________________________________________________________ Affordable Housing Affordable housing serves as one of the most critical measures of the overall wellbeing, livability and success of thriving communities. A stable living environment is a core foundation for helping families, children and individuals begin to grow, prosper and prepare for life-long achievement and success. Important to the existence and availability of affordable housing is the leadership and support of individuals and public, private and nonprofit entities. Richmond City Council Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board Established by Richmond City Council on July 23, 2012 by Richmond City Council Ordinance Number 2012-156-125, the purpose of the Richmond City Council Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board is to submit a report containing the Board's advice and recommendations concerning appropriateness of such regulations, operational policies and procedures for using the Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with respect to the following: 1. The ways in which the City may ensure the sustainability and proper use of the Fund over time and any conditions under which the Council should establish an oversight board or board of trustees to administer the Fund. 2. Potential dedicated revenue sources for the Fund. 3. The ratio of grants to loans to be disbursed from the Fund. 4. In accordance with the advice of the City Attorney or the designee thereof, the ways in which the City may lawfully encourage recipients of disbursements from the Fund to employ individuals of low and moderate income households in the projects for which funds are expended in accordance with the purposes of the Fund. 5. In accordance with the advice of the City Attorney or the designee thereof, the ways in which the City may lawfully encourage minority business enterprises, as defined in Chapter 74 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2004), as amended, to participate in the City’s efforts to accomplish the purposes set forth in section 58-101 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2004), as amended. 6. Any other factors or considerations, as the Board may identify, affecting the City’s ability to achieve the purposes of the Fund. - E N D - ______________________________________ Steven R. Skinner, APR Council Public Information Manager RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF Richmond City Hall 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 Richmond, Virginia 23219 804.646.6052 (office) 804.335.4054 (mobile) 804.937.1386 (home/mobile) 804.646.5468 (fax) steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email) www.council.richmondva.gov(website) ____________________________________________ MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and approving the city budget. VISION Richmond City Council is committed to creating a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.