The Housing, Health, and Education Committee of the City of Frederick met on June 5, 2025, at 10:03 AM to discuss rental licensing fund utilization, affordable housing zoning options, a public art work plan, and a climate resiliency work plan. The committee approved minutes from previous meetings, heard public testimony, and moved forward with several action items.
Well, everybody, I realize that it's 10, but right now it's just me sitting up here. So we're gonna give it a minute or two and hope one of my colleagues shows up within the next couple of minutes, and if not, we'll go without them, I suppose. Um I call the meeting of the housing health and education committee to order it is 1003. Um we will start with saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, everybody. Um approval of minutes, April 17th, 2025. So moved. I'll second that. All in favor. May 1st, 2025. So moved. All in favor. Um May 15th, 2025. So moved. Second. So all of those are two zero. Okay. I think we've gone as far as we can go now without Guyan. Um I'll just start. Um the first the first thing that we're gonna have a conversation about is the rental licensing fund utilization overview. Guyan Sampson from the mayor's office is here to give us a presentation on that. Thank you, Guyan. Hello, everyone. I'm sorry. My cousin um is here today, and she's in the hallway, so I was very excited to see her, so I'm sorry that I'm running a little bit behind. Lovely to have family. Yeah, our grandmother came home from the hospital this week. So we're very excited, but she's here. That's why you're excused. Uh good morning, uh, Madam Chair and members of the committee. I'm Guy and Sampson, the chief of staff to the mayor. Sorry I don't have my jacket on. Um but on May 1st, the city council passed ordinance G twenty-five zero nine, amending chapter twelve point five of the city code to restructure the use of the rental license special fund. This fund is now equally divided into two distinct streams a rental assistance fund, a affordable housing conservation fund, and our goal today is to seek feedback and concurrence on how to prioritize the use of the funds for the highest possible impact. At the council's request, the city issued a request for information and RFI to guide funding allocation for the affordable housing conservation funding. Eight organizations indicated interest in submitting proposals. Staff shared the RFI directly with developers throughout the county and multiple trade associations. Three groups submitted complete responses. Staff have thoroughly reviewed the proposals and recommend moving forward with two primary partnerships for housing conservation and one for rental assistance. Um for rental assistance is about 264,000. Uh, we recommend our partner be beyond shelter. Beyond shelter is an established and respected uh rental assistance provided in our community. Their program includes uh eviction prevention, so people who are one times in their arrears or short-term rental subsidies, rehousing, um security deposits, and first month rents for those at risk of homelessness, and rapid housing. The time allotted, uh the time limit is subsidies about three to twelve months for those who are already homeless. Um the program is highly flexible and responsive to the various financial or housing crises included in relocation support for tenants affected by the city's rental inspection program. Um the eligibility for this is household earnment below 80% AMI, seniors and people with disabilities, and those facing acute financial harasses, but capable of sustaining housing long term. Um they have a track record for this in 2023, 2024, they beyond shelter assisted 828 households and achieved 99% retention at three months, 96% retention at six months, and 95% retention at 12 months. The biggest thing here is that uh I'm not the biggest important thing.