1 NCDA Winter Conference Washington, D.C. February 15, 2017AFh: The Local Government Assessment Tool The Metro Nashville Experience (So Far) NCDA Winter Conference Washington, D.C. February 15, 2017
2 A little about nashville…Located in Middle Tennessee Population: approx. 680,000 Part of 14 County CBSA Population: approx. 1.8 million Other principle cities: Murfreesboro Franklin Hendersonville
3 A little More about nashville…Capital of Tennessee Actual name: “The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County” a/k/a Music City, USA Consolidated city-county government 35 Council Districts PLUS 5 At-large Members
4 Nashville AFH context Joint Local Government/PHA Collaboration Agreement PHA = Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency (MDHA) 5,500 public housing units RAD portfolio conversion 14,000 Housing Choice Vouchers 2 LIHTC properties; 1 PBRA property Consolidated Plan administrator Continuum of Care Collaborative Applicant & HMIS Lead Con Plan Cycle = April 1, 2013 – May 30, 2018 AFH due = September 1, 2017
5 AFH organization MDHA Executive Director Lead OrganizationCommunity Development Director (50%) Data & Mapping 1 staff (50%) Other staff as needed Community Engagement (20-30 hours/week) Intern In Collaboration with Metro Mayor Senior Advisor for Affordable Housing Office of Neighborhoods Engagement & Community
6 Resources To undertake AFHMDHA CDBG Admin PHA resources Private sponsors for events (i.e., food for meetings) Metro Local funds
7 Enough procrastinationMake a Timeline Work backwards from submittal date Build in legislative & Board approval processes Consider comment period (esp. if Joint w/PHA) Train HUD webinars Regional training Industry training (NCDA, NAHRO, PHADA, etc.) Read & re-read materials Guidebook AFH Local Government Tool Make an outline Other AFHs Play with the Maps Get to know your jurisdiction Identify data issues early
8 Key Partnerships FHEO TN Fair Housing Council (FHIP Agency)Elected Officials & Department Heads State Housing Finance Agency Stakeholders & Advocates Housing Poverty Education Workforce Development Transportation Environmental Justice
9 Who Cares? Address myths & misunderstandings Drive budget decisionsNIMBYism Gentrification Concentration of poverty Drive budget decisions Local housing trust fund & capital improvements budget HOME & CDBG funds Influence zoning & land use decisions Inclusionary housing ordinance Disposition of surplus property Location of LIHTC projects
10
11 LOCAL Knowledge = Community engagement
12 What do you want to know? Where they are? How they got there?More than where they live. How they got there? Identify barriers (i.e., contributing factors) Where do they want to be? Explore opportunities How can they get there? Discuss how to overcome barriers (i.e., set goals)
13 How do you find out? Meet them where they areHave meetings in community spaces they know & are comfortable in during convenient times (FOR THEM) Talk with them & LISTEN to what they say Facilitate conversations & let them tell their story No death by PowerPoint, acronym, or HUD-speak Know your audience Avoid survey fatigue Know what other studies have been conducted in the community
14 Community engagement planKickoff Public Meeting Discuss citizen participation plan Community Consultations Divide county into quadrants One consultation/quadrant PHA Resident Consultations Resident Advisory Board Resident association meetings Industry/Stakeholder Consultations Disability Consultation TN Fair Housing Matters Conference
15 Mock Consultation – access to opportunitiesPurpose of Assessment of Fair Housing Use data & community knowledge to: Assess whether individuals & families have the information, opportunity, & options to live where they choose without unlawful discrimination related to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability. Assess whether housing options are realistically available in integrated areas and areas with access to opportunity.
16 Mock Consultation – access to opportunitiesDirections for Small Group Discussions Make sure to sign-in at your table Address one sheet at a time Every person provides input Respectful dialogue encouraged Dots Green dots = 1st choice/only choice Orange dots = 2nd choice Pink dots = 3rd choice Post-It Notes Comments Lists
17 Small group discussionsList the top 5 things you like about your neighborhood. List top 5 concerns about or things you would like improved in your community. Prioritize opportunities. Tell us about experiencing discrimination. Additional comments.
18 Local data = Call on the experts
19 Don’t recreate the wheelMetro Resources NashvilleNext Plan & First Annual Report: NashvilleNext-Plan.aspx MSS Community Needs Assessment: s/docs/plann_coord/2015CNEpresentationslides.pdf Mayor’s Housing Priorities & Action Plan, : /AffordableHousing/docs/HousingPrioritiesandActionPlan.pdf Livable Nashville Draft Report: /Sustainability/docs/LN%20DRAFT.pdf MPO Regional Transportation Plan: MTA Transit Plan: content/uploads/2016/08/MTA_RecommendedPlan-Draft.pdf Metro Parks Draft Master Plan: Play.aspx Nashville WalknBike Plan:
20 Don’t recreate the wheelOther Resources THDA publications and data: https://thda.org/research-planning/research- planning Equitable Development Report: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/ /nashvillenext-equitable-development-study.pdf Nashville Civic Design Center studies & reports: https://www.civicdesigncenter.org/projects?xtags=stu dies and https://www.civicdesigncenter.org/projects?xtags=re ports State of TN School Report for Davidson County: card MDHA PNA reports for RAD conversion
21 Things to know When HUD plans the next data updateLocations of subsidized housing (not using HUD maps) RAD conversions Mixed-finance properties Limitations of HUD data Race/ethnicity & national origin provided Familial status, LEP, or disability info provided for certain questions No HUD-provided data on other protected classes
22 If you want to chat more Angie Hubbard Director of Community Development MDHA mdha.org Angela Harrell Senior Development Specialist MDHA mdha.org