CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	City Manager’s Office		Commission Meeting Date:  March 7, 2017
Staff Contact:	Casey Toomay
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Authorize distribution of a Request for Proposals for a Comprehensive Housing Markey Study, as recommended by the Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
Executive Summary:		As the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) has worked on housing issues over the past year, they have identified a lack of understanding on where the most need is for affordable housing.  Without that understanding, it has been difficult for them to develop strategies and recommendations to effectively address the needs.  At their retreat in 2016, they established a goal to “within 2017 use the analytics of the 2005 Community Housing Assessment Team (CHAT) report to prepare an updated inventory of the housing stock required to meet affordable housing needs, the amount of time needed to meet the needs, with a final goal of meeting the need in 10 years.”  Conducted in 2005, the CHAT report identified the market conditions and needs that existed in Douglas County at that time.  While it is safe to assume that need has changed since 2005, it is unclear how and to what extent.  It is also likely that the housing market has changed in the twelve years since the study.   The first step toward accomplishing this goal is to update the CHAT report by distributing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a comprehensive housing market study.  Assuming the Commission authorizes the RFP, responses will be reviewed by the AHAB in April, and a recommendation will be made to the Commission in May.  Results of the study are anticipated in the fall of 2017. In order to minimize the cost impact to the City, staff has had initial conversations with potential funding partners and will continue to look for others who would have an interest in the data contained in the study.
Strategic Goal Area:		Affordable Housing
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		The fiscal impact to the City is unknown at this time.  A survey of other communities that have conducted similar studies found costs ranging from $30,000 to $40,000, depending on the scope of the study.  Assuming the City is able to secure funding partners, the Affordable Housing Advisory Board recommends using some funds from the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to pay for the City’s share of the cost.  While this item was not identified in the 2017 budget, there is sufficient budget authority available in the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Attachments:		Request for Proposals for Housing Market Study

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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