2017 11 20 HA & HC MinutesHOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 20, 2017
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 5
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
OF THE LA QUINTA HOUSING AUTHORITY
AND LA QUINTA HOUSING COMMISSION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2017
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER – Authority and Commission
A special joint meeting of the La Quinta Housing Authority and La Quinta Housing
Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Fitzpatrick.
ROLL CALL: Authority Members: Evans, Peña, Radi, Sanchez, Chairperson Fitzpatrick
ABSENT: None
ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Davidson, Johnson, Long, McDonough, and Chairperson Rogers
ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Authority and Commission
Authority Member Radi led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
VERBAL ANNOUNCEMENT – AB 23 was made by the Authority Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – Authority and Commission – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Authority and Commission – Confirmed
CONSENT CALENDAR – Authority
1. APPROVE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 7, 2017
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Authority Members Evans/Radi to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR – Commission
2. APPROVE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2017
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Rogers/McDonough to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION - Authority and Commission – None
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SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 5
STUDY SESSION – Authority and Commission
1. UPDATE ON WASHINGTON STREET APARTMENTS PROJECT
City Economist McMillen and Business Analyst Villalpando presented the staff report,
which is on file at the Clerk’s Office.
Authority Members and Commissioners discussed the project’s tax credits; residents’
relocation costs, including any applicable security deposits; relocation and project
construction schedules, currently estimated to begin in May and be completed by
October 2018; special accommodations related to the Americans with Disabilities Act,
pets, parking, smoking, medical cannabis use, washing amenities, etc.; no change in rent
during relocation period; the importance of ensuring continuity of in-home support
services and communication; mental-health assistance; conducting interviews with each
resident to determine his/her specific packing and moving needs; proving individual
portable on demand storage units (PODs) to temporarily store residents’ belongings,
which will be stored off-site; being proactive in aiding residents with packing and
implementing a community-approach where residents help pack each other and hold
joint garage sales to purge unnecessary belongings; mail delivery; providing electronic
disposal garbage bins and hand dollies; temporary utilities suspension at Washington
Street Apartments during the rehabilitation period and subsequent reinstatement; and
ensuring transportation arrangements with SunDial Paratransit Services or a third party
vendor.
The Authority and Commission unanimously expressed support for the project,
anticipated schedule, and staff’s efforts in planning the residents’ relocation.
2. DISCUSS HOMELESS PREVENTION FUNDING
City Manager Spevacek provided a brief history on the City’s efforts and contributions on
homeless prevention.
Business Analyst Villalpando presented the staff report, which is on file at the Clerk’s
Office.
Authority Members and Commissioners discussed Coral Mountain Apartment’s proposal
to make three units available for homeless housing; connecting Coral Mountain
management with local homeless service providers; and, criteria used to determine an
individual’s success in the program.
City Manager Spevacek explained the background and source of housing revenue.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Ms. Darla Burkett, Executive Director of Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
(CVRM), Indio – thanked the City for its continuous support and contributions over the
years; said the influx of homeless per night averaged 38 people since Roy’s Desert
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SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 5
Resource Center (RDRS) closed in June of 2017; noted this additional homeless
population was coming from the west end of the valley – Thousand Palms, Palm Springs,
Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, etc.; explained the CVRM’s emergency shelter was
capped at 75 beds, thus, the gym/multi-purpose room has been converted to house
more beds and meet the needs of the community, but it also poses a Fire Department
compliance issue. Mr. Burkett spoke about the different support services and assistance
programs CVRM offers, such alcohol and drug rehabilitation, veterans’ specialist services,
mental-health, shelter for families who are victims of domestic violence, the number of
meals served per day has increased from 700 to 912-920, shower amenities, bus passes,
and case management to get folks on the path to independent employment and
independent living. She enumerated the challenges with this process, including limited
income and the lack of affordable housing units. Ms. Burkett explained that the CVRM is
uncomfortable with CVAG’s model – it works for families but most individuals need
services first before they’re ready for an apartment. She explained the process from
CVRM to housing and the services provided during that time. She added that the CVRM
has about 30 people ready for the move into an apartment/house but finding rents they
can afford is difficult.
Authority Members and Commissioners discussed CVRM’s case management services;
the lack of incentives for homeowners to rent to such organizations; Section 8 California
housing assistance program for families only, but not for single homeless population;
30% influx in expenses due to the RDRS’s closure; on-site mental health assistance; the
diverse make up of homeless population – families, seniors /with disabilities, mental
health and drug abuse; the inability to further expand in the current facility as it has
been fully developed; and the strong collaboration with outside agencies.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Ms. Linda Barrack, President and CEO of Martha’s Village and Kitchen
(MVK), Indio – said homeless services are usually underfunded; MVK takes a valley-wide
approach in dealing with this issue; noted there has been an influx of homeless from the
west-end of the valley averaging 60 beds per night; MVK has been operating at capacity
since RDRS’s closure; there has been a substantial increase of large homeless families,
usually of eight or more; explained the sensitivity each case must be handled so that
homeless do not lose their benefits; noted the wait for Section 8 housing assistance is 8
to 10 years. Ms. Barrack commended Desert Healthcare District (DHCD) for initiating the
$103,000 match program and said it was a magnificent gift that has to be handled
properly and nurtured.
Authority Members and Commissioners discussed how the three affordable housing units
at Coral Mountain apartments will be utilized; the support services needed for homeless
population to stay on the recovery and stabilizing program and be successful; MVK’s
success rate of homeless graduating from their program; the possibility of dedicating
additional affordable housing units in other communities in the valley; and the
infrastructure benefits and importance of providing homelessness prevention assistance,
which if not prevented results in average tax-payer expense of $44,000 per year in
emergency room visits, incarcerations, police services responses, etc.
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PUBLIC SPEAKER: Ms. Donna Craig, Chief Grants/Operations Officer with DHCD – said
DHCD is committed to help raise matching funds to support homelessness efforts in the
valley; noted the program included a $103,000 DHCD contribution and a dollar for dollar
match to each City contribution of up to $103,000 to programs serving residents within
the DHCD borders; and explained the process used to approve agreements and distribute
the matching funds.
Authority Members and Commissioners discussed the verification method used to
determine if a client was within the DHCD territory; criteria to set aside some affordable
housing units for the homeless; the “No Place Like Home Program”; and, balancing the
need of those that are homeless with those on affordable housing waiting lists since
affordable housing prevents homelessness.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Ms. Cheryll Dahlin, Management Analyst, Coachella Valley Association
of Governments (CVAG), Palm Desert – showed a power point presentation on CVAG’s
program.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mr. Damien O’Farrell, CEO of Path of Life Ministries, Riverside –
explained the mission of Path of Life Ministries (POLM) to provide prevention, intervention
and stabilization services.
Authority Members and Commissioners discussed Roy’s Desert Resource Center budget,
services and transition plans; the frequency of case management services once housed;
rapid rehousing; outreach to landlords to provide info on services available for struggling
tenants (to prevent homelessness); scattering crisis stabilization housing around the
Valley to be sensitive to neighborhoods; use of coordinated entry methods; basis of
budget estimates; POLM hotline and office locations; need to address the causes of
homelessness and the lack of affordable housing; importance of locating crisis housing
along bus routes; timeline for La Quinta’s involvement; La Quinta’s fulfillment of its
affordable housing obligation with a large number of units; need to concentrate of the
needs within La Quinta such as a prevention program; rent stabilization programs
formatted to prevent gifts of public funds; tying La Quinta grants to servicing those from
92253 zip; providing loans instead of grants so it’s a self-sustaining program; giving
seniors a priority in any rental assistance program; explore larger rentals for senior group
living; and, assigning restrictions on how La Quinta’s $103,000 donation is used.
Councilmember Radi summarized three options for La Quinta’s $250,000 budget:
1. Divide the budget equally between the two local agencies that service La Quinta, i.e.
CVRM & MVK and forgoing DHCD’s matching funds;
2. Accept Coral Mountain Apartment’s trial offer, allocate $103,000 to POLM for the
SHCD matching funds, and divide the balance between CVRM & MVK; or
3. Allocate $103,000 to POLM and split balance between CVRM & MVK. In addition, ask
landlords to provide info on programs as part of their lease agreement and inform
them that funds are available to renters for homeless prevention.
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Authority Members and Commissioners expressed general support for option #2; interest
in increasing the grant to $100,000 to MVK; conditioning funds on periodic reports with
metrics of those being served; reevaluation after six months; and, tenant repayment of
all or a portion over time.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – Authority and Commission – None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS – Authority and Commission – None
AUTHORITY MEMBERS' AND COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Authority Member Peña invited the Commissioners to attend the Coachella Valley
Association of Governments Valley-Wide Homelessness Committee meetings held on
Wednesdays, at 10:00 a.m., every other month.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Authority Members
Radi/Evans to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Long/Davidson to adjourn at 9:01 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Deputy Secretary
La Quinta Housing Authority