Where should Dane County spend its money on affordable housing and homeless services?
The 2015 Dane County Capital Budget contains a provision establishing the Affordable Housing Development Fund (AHDF). The purpose of the AHDF is to encourage the development of affordable housing in Dane County by using the fund as a means to leverage additional resources from project partners. As the funds are from the Capital Budget, they can be used solely for capital expenses (i.e. land and/or buildings).
The budget for 2015 contains $2.0 million to establish the fund. In the first year, up to $750,000 is allocated to a partnership with the City of Madison for a supported housing project and up to $300,000 is allocated to a coop housing project to serve adults facing homelessness. The remaining $950,000 will be allocated to other affordable housing development initiatives.
Over each of the next three years, $2 million will be available each year for projects. At least 30% of this funding will be available for projects outside the City of Madison boundaries over the 4year period.
The provision also identifies a Staff Team to administer the AHDF. To identify potential projects and programs that will advance the goal to develop affordable housing, the Staff Team will conduct two listening sessions where individuals, organizations, developers and municipalities are invited to present their ideas, programs and plans that will positively impact affordable housing. The Team will review the information from these sessions and develop RFPs allocating AHDF funds. Preference will be given to affordable housing and homeless services facilities projects serving chronically homeless populations and other populations with significant housing barriers; that promote affordable housing in general; are most effective in leveraging the funds; that can be implemented in a timely manner; and, that comply with the State of Wisconsin statutorily imposed limits on the use of the funds.
The listening sessions will be held on:
February 12, 2015 in Room 357 of the CCB starting at 4:30 p.m.
February 18, 2015 in Room 354 of the CCB starting at 1:30 p.m.Speakers will be limited to three (3) minutes not including possible questions from the Staff Team. Written comments are encouraged.
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, IF YOU WILL BE PRESENTING AT ONE OF THE SESSIONS,
PLEASE REGISTER WITH MY OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.I hope you will assist the Staff Team by sharing your thoughts regarding affordable housing projects. This is a unique opportunity to positively impact housing in Dane County.
Please contact me at Phillips.dave@countyofdane.com if you have any questions.
Thank you.
David B. Phillips
Office of Economic & Workforce Development
608-266-4006
