Cynthia Ellickson, director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, presented staff recommendations on Jan. 28 for 2025 competitive 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) applications and briefed the committee on four city-owned housing properties.

Staff recommendations on LIHTC applications

Cynthia said staff recommended support for several projects and recommended no support for others that would increase concentrations of subsidized housing in high-poverty areas. Thor, assistant director for the department, told the committee the housing policy directs reviewers to consider local patterns of segregation and concentrations of poverty when deciding whether to issue a city "letter of support" for LIHTC applications.

"In our housing tax credit program statement ... we call out for the Must overcome patterns of segregation and concentrations of poverty through incentives and requirements," Thor said.

The committee voted, without recorded roll-call names, to follow staff recommendations on the two agenda items addressing LIHTC and related recommendations; the chair called for voice approval and members replied "aye."

Property status updates and follow-ups requested

Assistant Housing Director Darren Lee provided updates on city-owned sites the committee has previously discussed. He said building permits were moving on the 1850 Fort Worth Avenue property and staff hoped to close on construction financing in early March, barring delays. He said a Notice of Proposed Award (NOPA) for 4150 Independence Drive did not produce an adequate proposal and staff would outline next steps. He said the Vantage Point project was roughly 90% stabilized and partnered with Saint Jude; Hampton remains under review with next steps pending.

Committee members pressed staff for more immediate analysis of the Hampton property (a former hospital acquired with bond funds) as a potential temporary or phased-use shelter/medical-congregate site while long-term options are studied. Staff said they would gather cost and certificate-of-occupancy information, including a floor-by-floor assessment and estimates of minimum remediation required to activate usable space, and report back to the committee.

Why it matters

LIHTC allocations and city letters of support shape which affordable housing developments win scarce federal tax credits and where affordable units are built. The committee’s application review sought to balance adding new units with the city’s policy goal to avoid concentrating poverty. At the same time, the committee is weighing near-term operational options for city-owned properties to support urgent shelter and medical needs.

Ending

Committee members directed staff to return with more detailed condition and cost information for Hampton and with additional options for Independence Drive after staff completes feasibility follow-ups. The committee approved staff recommendations on the LIHTC items presented at the meeting.