MNA Steering Committee Special Meeting, February 25, 2021
MNA Special Meeting
Location: Telemeeting (ViaZoom)
Time: 7:30 pm
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2021
Attendees: Taylor Youngblood, John Thomas, Koreena Malone, Damaris Nicholson; Dale Cannedy, Ted Herr, Marta White, Pat DiSanza, Laurene Jacob, Jason Sears, Josh Ludlow
Agenda:
Discuss Kensington’s request to become affordable housing.
Koreena provided personal experience in living in an affordable housing unit and the consequences of what occurred after a developer made it “affordable”. She also provided information on how the tax credit works. The tax credit provides federal funds to the developer and that developer does not have to go out to obtain funding to decrease equity. Only requirement is to keep the rates affordable. The developer is trying to make their application stronger and asking for input from MNA. Koreena reached out to council member Tovo’s office to obtain the application. The request does not tell you which type of affordability it is asking for. It is a for profit entity that will redevelop our taxes dollars so they don’t have to look for investors to build this development for 149 units. The current residents would be displaced if this process went forward.
MNA discussed moving forward with requesting more information from the developer in order to make a decision. Questions highlighted are as follows:
• What is the affordability rate?
• Do they have a right to return?
• Will they support the residents there for displacement?
• Who else is involved in this redevelopment process?
• Can we have the site plan?
Kensington works off a monthly or weekly rate and currently have no federal rights in place.
There is a March 1, 2021 deadline to provide feedback however, that is not enough time for MNA to write a letter in favor or in opposition of the Kensington to be turned into affordable units. Taylor will call the Texas Department of Housing to ask about the discrepancies about the dates listed on the letters. We may have more time to have a more in- depth discussion.
It may be hard to organize residents and get their input but residents need to be brought into the conversation without fear of retaliation.
There is great concern about unintended consequences if we agree to the redevelopment.
MNA cares about affordable housing and we need to be make sure our Kensington neighbors are being looked after and we need more information and more time.
Damaris Nicholson and Koreena Malone to meet with Kensington residents.
Damaris Nicholson will follow up with Contigo to determine if they have been notified.
Taylor moves to have a housing committee. We will propose this at the general meeting.
MNA Secretary,
Damaris Nicholson