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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 11, 2005 Page 3 Motion carried unanimouslv 4 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS. 5 None. 6 7 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. 8 A. Resolution 05 -011; Greater Metropolitan Housing Commission 9 City Manager Morrison welcomed Jennifer Bergman, Greater Metropolitan Housing 10 Commission, to the meeting. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 n� 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 nr 47 Ms. Bergman is the Director of Housing Resource Center, and gave an overview of what the organization does. She said the Housing Resource Center provides three services. The first service is housing information, which is provided to any resident in St. Anthony free of charge. She stated they also provide information on home financing, home maintenance, home buying, and home improvement. She stated they have provided services to 352 St. Anthony residents. She explained the second service provided is construction management service. She further explained this service allows consultants to meet with homeowners and make recommendations to improve their houses. They can help review bids, and provide some mediation if there are problems. She said they can monitor construction throughout the process. She stated her agency has provided 388 housing consultations to residents. Ms. Bergman stated the third service they provide is financing. She said they can help to fund home improvements. She explained they are a lender for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. They have granted 49 loans to residents in the City. Councilmember Stille questioned how St. Anthony compares with the other cities serviced by Greater Metropolitan Housing Commission in terms of use. He also inquired whether St. Anthony helps to provide sufficient advertising. Ms. Bergman said advertising is very important, and they would appreciate being mentioned in the City Newsletter. She added that St. Anthony does get the word out very well. Councilmember Stille asked for clarification regarding the Senior Housing Regeneration Program. Ms. Bergman explained this program was created two years ago. It was created in order to purchase homes from senior citizens who are moving into senior rental or nursing homes. The GMHC rehabs the home and sells it to first time homebuyers. She said it has been an extremely popular program. She explained the organization continues to apply for money through agencies such as the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency in order to acquire sufficient funds to continue with the program. She explained that senior citizens enjoy the program because they do not have to hire a realtor or handle any of the moving out issues. Mayor Faust commented that helping people to rehabilitate their homes in a fearless environment is important. He asked if there was a resource limit. Ms. Bergman answered there is an income limit of $88,320 for this program. Councilmember Stille questioned how the funds are regenerated. Ms. Bergman replied the organization applies for loans and grants on the City's behalf.