As stated in my earlier post, the Council on Housing (COH) meeting was held on January 11th at Buena Vista, Newark, Delaware.  I have posted the handouts and a summary of discussions that transpired at the meeting:

–Agenda

-DSHA Report:

• On January 27, 2011, the proposed state budget will be announced by Governor Jack  Markell.
• On February 2, 2011, @ 2 p.m. the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) will present to the Joint Finance Committee.
• The new Housing Development Fund (HDF) application is due by January 31, 2011 (please see my prior post this week for a link to the new application forms).
• The comment and response process to the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) has been revised (please see my prior post for more information).
• The three bid contract requirement only applies for tax credit transactions when Housing Development Fund (HDF) financing is requested.
• Ruth Sokolowski, Vice Chair of the Council on Housing (COH), proposed that at least one Delaware business be included in the contractor bidding process or in the alternative, a good faith effort to reach out to at least one Delaware business. After some discussion,  the Council on Housing (COH) decided to revisit this recommendation at a later date.

-Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) made a presentation on the Community Relations Department, which is responsible for, among other things, constituent relations, website design, education of agencies on affordable housing options, training for State of Delaware employees, quarterly newsletter, marketing, media and press events.

-Loan Review

• Canterbury Apartments Loan Funding was formally approved by the Delaware Council on Housing (COH). The project involves the acquisition and substantial rehabilitation of a 24-unit family development located off Route 13 in Bridgeville, Delaware and is expected to be financed by USDA Rural Development (RD) and HOME Program funds. The developer for this project is Severn Development Company, LLC.

• B’nai B’rith House Loan Funding was formally approved by the Delaware Council on Housing (COH). The project involves the acquisition and rehabilitation of a 208-unit apartment development located at 8000 Society Drive, Claymont, Delaware and is expected to be financed by Housing Development Fund (HDF) Preservation, Citibank, and Delaware Community Investment Corporation (DCIC). The developer for this project is Connolly & Partners, LLC.

• Bayard Plaza Loan Funding was formally approved by the Delaware Council on Housing (COH). The project involves the leasehold acquisition and new construction of a 48-unit apartment development located at 200-216 Loockerman St., Dover, Delaware and is expected to be financed by Housing Development Fund (HDF) Preservation and JP Morgan Chase.  The developer for this project is Bay Developers, Inc.

-The Council on Housing (COH) approved Resolution No. 421 in honor of Jerry Jone’s retirement.

The next scheduled Council on Housing (COH) public session will be held on February 9, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Liberty Court Community Building, Dover, Delaware.