Housing Committee

Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2001, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Hismen Hin Nu Community Room

Present: Jennie Mollica, Lao Family Community Development; Fred Blackwell, Annie E. Casey Foundation; Catherine Firpo, City of Oakland, CEDA; Owusu Amoakehene, Urban Strategies Council; Larry Mimms, Washington Mutual; Liz Vasile, Ariste Associates; Amy Bishop, Volunteers of America; Robert Henry, Oakland Community Housing, Inc.; Don Davenport, SACDC; Eric Cone, SACDC; Jim Hammett, Urban Innovations; Joseph Kinard, Urban Innovations.

NOTE UPCOMING DATES:

• Multilingual Homeownership Center Alliance Meeting (bimonthly, 1st Wednesday):
  • Wednesday, August 1, 3:30-5:00 p.m., 2555 International Boulevard
• Program Development Committee Meeting (monthly, 2nd Wednesday):
  • Wednesday, August 8, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., 2555 International Boulevard
• Lower San Antonio Collaborative Housing Committee Meeting (monthly, 3rd Wednesday):
  • Wednesday, August 15, 3:30-5:00 p.m., 2555 International Boulevard

Welcome and Introductions

Jennie explained that the LSA Collaborative Housing Committee and the Multilingual Homeownership Center Alliance Housing Committee have joined and will meet monthly on the 3rd Wednesday to discuss development strategies and ways to increase opportunities for homeownership in the LSA neighborhood.

Update on Letter to OUSD re: small schools

Jennie reported on this old business of the LSA Collaborative, a letter drafted by Lynette Lee to be sent to the Oakland Unified School District regarding neighborhood concerns about new school construction. The draft letter will be emailed to Housing Committee members for comment before being sent to the District.

Data Report on Local Resident Need and Project Feasibility

Owusu made a presentation of a handout on data relevant to the Housing Committee, including population ethnicity and change 1990-2000, home prices in 2000, median prices of Bay Area homes, absentee ownership, and results of a windshield survey of vacant and underdeveloped sites in the neighborhood. Discussion identified the need for data to be further broken down by census tract or zipcode (94606, with some 94607 and 94601); for mapping showing type of property and zoning; for clearer definition of “underdeveloped” or “underutilized” sites, with maps of sites by classification; and for data on median income (2000 Census). Owusu added that photos are available of all the identified vacant and underutilized sites, and the more detailed information about these, as well as access to the database information, is available through Urban Strategies.

Presentation of the Lower San Antonio Plan, Housing Section

Don explained the history of the Lower San Antonio plan, which was developed as a partnership between SACDC and EBALDC and published in 1997. Housing priorities identified in the plan include: mapping of housing problems in the San Antonio, targeted use of rehab funds and other city programs, homeownership education, use of sweat equity, targeted new construction along International Boulevard, and development of housing for large families.

Discussion of Strategies to Increase Homeownership Opportunities in Lower San Antonio

• The Committee must determine whether the objective is to develop housing for ownership only or also for rental.
• Catherine reported that the LSA underutilized City programs during the past fiscal year. Most homes sold here in the past year qualified for rehab funds, but none were used. Only three residents used City funds to buy homes in the neighborhood.
• Affordability is an important issue: The median income of about $165,000 would not enable most families to spend the $180,000 typically needed for a family of 4 to qualify for the City’s first time homebuyer program, but there are other private market loans available.
• Amy reported that Volunteers of America’s Project Hope helps first-time homebuyers to buy rehabilitated homes in Oakland, Pittsburg and Vallejo. Little has been done in the LSA, but this is worth discussion. If the LSA Collaborative could help to identify homes and buyers, VOA could possibly work on the rehab. VOA currently outsources to identify homebuyers and contracts with a construction company. In the next 6 months, VOA may again participate in the HUD 203(k) program.
• Robert reported that OCHI has a new initiative to construct new homes on scattered infill sites for homeownership, and to do acquisition/rehab of small rental buildings. OCHI is happy to partner in the developer role, with others doing the identification of buyers. OCHI currently scouts existing lots as a member of local MLS, but will also work with Owusu in the LSA. OCHI would like to be able to make a deal on 4-5 assembled sites in close distance from each other, and to establish a MOU for a 20-site development over 6 – 18 months.

Next Meeting Date/Topic Focus and Closing

The next meeting of the Housing Committee will take place August 15 (same time and place). The agenda for this meeting will include:

• Update by Owusu on vacant lots and mapping
• Presentation by Catherine on City homebuyer and development programs
• Presentation by Liz on the Merill Lynch Mobile Mortgage Center project in Los Angeles
• Presentation by Fred on other successful model initiatives identified by the Casey Foundation/TARC
• Discussion on future directions for the Housing Committee, its focus and mission.

Other possible topics for future meetings include:

• Presentation on creative and alternative development options (co-housing, shared housing, etc.)
• Presentation on successful past development initiatives to increase homeownership
• Presentation on financing alternatives for homeownership development