Commission forms subcommittee to develop down-payment assistance program guidance

City staff and commissioners discussed next steps in developing a first-time homebuyer down-payment assistance program created by a recently authorized ordinance. Donna (last name not specified) explained that the ordinance authorizes creation of the program but does not set programmatic details or funding.

Donna described the council’s request that the Fiscal Commission form a subcommittee to work with staff — and with a Social Services Commission subcommittee — to develop program guidelines that address fiscal risk, eligibility, and potential funding streams. "It will be a combination of Lucky Dana Bailey (Social Services/Housing director), staff in finance, and this commission," Donna said, describing staff involvement.

Action taken: commissioners nominated and moved to appoint Nile, Leslie and Darien (first names provided in the meeting record) as the three members of the commission subcommittee to work with staff and the Social Services Commission. The motion was seconded and advanced; staff and the commission discussed coordinating meetings, Brown Act limits on subcommittees and a 60–90 day target for an initial report.

Why it matters: the ordinance authorizes a program but does not allocate funds. The subcommittee’s work will focus on minimizing city fiscal risk, establishing eligibility, and identifying funding sources before full-program recommendations are returned to the full commission and ultimately to council.

Next steps: staff offered to provide past program examples and materials to guide the subcommittee. The commission noted members can coordinate outside of a Brown Act quorum and asked staff to circulate related council materials and staff reports to inform the subcommittee’s work.