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,-- . Townsend
MINUTES
HOUSING FUND BOARD
Regular Meeting — Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.
Commissioners' Chambers, Jefferson County Courthouse
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (Hybrid)
Housing Fund Board Members: (* indicates present at the meeting)
Greg Brotherton — Chair * Viki Sonntag * Julia Cochrane*
Amy Howard — Vice Chair * Audrey Morford *
Neil Nelson * Heather Dudley-Nollette*
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Greg Brotherton called the Joint Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend
Housing Fund Board (HFB) to order. Vice Chair Howard joined the meeting shortly after it began, and
Member Morford joined the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Brotherton called for public comments, and one comment was
received.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES re: Special Meeting of January 3, 2025: Not discussed.
DISCUSSION re: Housing Fund Board reappointment: Not discussed.
DISCUSSION re: 5-YEAR PLAN; NEXT STEPS: The members reviewed the draft 5-year plan, and
made edits.
The members discussed the creation of a Housing Task Force subcommittee that will work on the
following:
• Promote an equitable, accountable and transparent homeless crisis response system
• Strengthen the homeless service provider workforce
• Prevent episodes of homelessness whenever possible
• Prioritize assistance based on the greatest barriers to housing stability and the greatest risk of
harm
• Seek to house everyone in a stable setting that meets their needs
Chair Brotherton opened the floor for public comments, and one comment was received.
The members discussed a proposed meeting schedule:
• March to review process and timeline
• June for review and reconcile background data
• August, September, and October to coordinate with Ruckleshaus and Fletcher Group
• November to prioritize actions
• December to adopt plans and submit to Commerce
Chair Brotherton opened the floor to public comments and one comment was received.
Housing Fund Board — Regular Meeting Minutes of January 22, 2025 D RA F -'r
The Board continued discussion on Homeless Housing and Affordable Housing objectives for the Task
Force. He noted that another funding option could be from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
(LTAC) that could be used for workforce housing.
Chair Brotherton opened the floor for public comments, and three comments were received.
The Board continued discussion on the 5-year planning and forming the plans and conditions among
homeless housing and affordable housing.
Chair Brotherton opened the floor to public comments, and one comment was received.
Chair Brotherton noted a stipend incentive would be available for a member with current lived
experience. The amount discussed was $35-$50 per meeting. Commissioner Dudley-Nollette will
consult with the Fletcher Group on substance -use housing and potential County funds.
Membership list will include:
1. Individuals with lived experience of homelessness
2. A representative of a Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization OR a Managed
Care Organization
3. A representative from a By and For organization within the local government's jurisdiction
4. Emergency shelter operators
5. Domestic violence/sexual assault shelter and housing providers
6. Homeless outreach providers
7. Rental subsidy administrators
8. Permanent Supportive Housing providers and operators
9. Coordinated entry staff
10. Planning Staff/Commission members city and county
11. Affordable Housing Developer
12. Family Service Provider
13. Public Health Harm Reduction
14. Tribal Representation
15. Business Owners
16. Senior Services
17. HFB Members
After discussion, Member Sonntag moved to publish a public notice of recruitment for the homeless and
affordable housing task force. Member Cochrane seconded the motion. Chair Brotherton opened the
floor for public comments, and no comments were received. Chair Brotherton called for a vote on the
motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Chair Brotherton moved to form an ad hoc committee to draft agenda topics for the task force meetings,
as discussed today, for the February meeting and nominate Member Morford, Member Sonntag,
Member Dudley-Nollette, and Vice Chair Howard as alternate. Member Cochrane seconded the motion.
Chair Brotherton opened the floor for public comments, and no comments were received. Chair
Brotherton called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Member Sonntag stated that she will send out a doodle to schedule training with Homebase.
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Housing Fund Board — Regular Meeting Minutes of J
22, 2025
Commissioner Dudley-Nollette will reach out to the Fletcher Group for a plan regarding strategies in
dealing with substance use.
COMMITTEE UPDATES: Members listened to updated from the subcommittees:
• Data and Needs Assessment — Member Sonntag provided an update on assessment, and
shared invite for the Point In Time (PIT) count She noted that she would like some
compensation for events that she has been sponsoring.
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• Community Conversations Committee — Chair Brotherton and Member Cochrane provided
an update to the Board.
• Coordinated Entry Advisory Board — Olympic Housing Director, Viola Ware provided an
update to the Board.
• Funding Opportunities Committee — Chair Brotherton noted this can be removed from
agenda.
• Shelter Coalition Committee — The Board discussed.
NEXT STEPS:.Member Dudley-Nollette noted that legislative priorities could be an important part of
the 5-year plan.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brotherton adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. until the next
regular meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
Respectfully submitted by:
Adiel McKnight, Deputy Clerk of the Board Date