Submitted by: Holly Simmons
Submitting Department: Community & Economic Development
Agenda Section: Consent
Item Title:
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ARPA: Housing Manager position
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the Mayor and Council authorize the use of American Rescue Act funds in an amount not to exceed $135,000 over the course of 18 months to hire a Housing Manager who will manage the City's affordable housing policies and programs and implement the City's Housing Action Agenda.
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Summary Background:
In May 2021, the Mayor and Council adopted the City's Housing Action Agenda as the 10-year strategic plan for housing needs and affordability tools in the City. The Housing Action Agenda identified four high-impact tools to create a foundation for a strategic and systematic approach to addressing the City's priority housing needs:
1. Establish a dedicated local source of funding,
2. Use public land to support local development goals,
3. Create rent regulations, and
4. Expand tenant protections.
Since the adoption of the plan, the City has made limited progress on implementation, due in part to staff workloads and impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; however, in recent months Council has prioritized two of the high-impact housing tools: 1) Establish a dedicated local funding source and 3) Create rent regulations. A full-time staff person is needed to move these and other affordable housing initiatives forward. City staff will recruit and hire a Housing Manager to oversee the City's affordable housing policies and programs, implement the City's Housing Action Agenda, and assist with preserving and increasing the City of Hyattsville's supply of affordable housing. The new Housing Manager's salary of approximately $135K for 18 months and will be covered using ARPA funds. Legacy costs are expected to be $90K annually.
Next Steps:
With Council approval, proceed with filling the position.
Fiscal Impact:
$135K of American Rescue Plan Act Funds
City Administrator Com...
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