[Adopted 8-18-1997 (Title 2, Ch. 2.94, of the 1986 Code)]
A.
The purposes of the Housing Commission shall be to assist the Mayor
and designated municipal departments by advising, informing and creating
a forum for the development of a comprehensive housing plan. The Commission
shall also recommend the allocation and procurement of resources essential
for the development of necessary and appropriate housing within the
City of Springfield.
B.
The Housing Commission shall endeavor to reach a consensus on a range
of housing and homeless services issues facing the community, including
but not limited to physical condition and financial resources.
C.
The Housing Commission shall recommend realistic and achievable objectives;
seek broad participation from those most likely to be affected by
the implementation of housing development, including neighborhood
representatives, housing providers, advocates and consumers; and identify
the tools and strategies which can be used to address the issues and
achieve the objectives.
A Housing Commission, consisting of seven members, shall be
appointed by the Mayor, which members shall hold office for the term
for which they are appointed and until their successors have been
appointed. Members shall be representative of the various and diverse
sections of the housing industry who bring unique perspective or special
expertise to the issues in question.
Appointments are for a three-year term with the initial appointments
staggered so that approximately 1/3 shall be appointed for one year;
1/3 for two years; and 1/3 for three years. Any vacancy shall be filled
for the unexpired term, and the Mayor may remove any member for cause.
The Director of Housing for the City's Office of Community Development
or an authorized representative, the Director of the Springfield Housing
Authority or an authorized representative, the City's Planning Director
or an authorized representative, the President of the City Council
or his/her designee, and a member of the Springfield Homebuilders'
Association shall serve as local advisory members, ex officio, of
the Housing Commission. Regional advisory members, ex officio, shall
include representatives from the United States Department of Housing
and Urban Development, Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, the Commonwealth's
Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Massachusetts
Housing Partnership Fund.
The Housing Commission shall organize annually in the month
of January and elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Clerk. The
Chairperson shall be responsible for the overall leadership and direction
of the Housing Commission as well as management of the meetings.
The Housing Commission shall meet quarterly or as circumstances
arise, throughout the year. The meetings shall be structured to provide
ample opportunity for discussion of collaborative approaches to problem
solving and issue management. The meeting shall begin with a staff
report on pending issues or projects. Each member shall be provided
an opportunity to raise issues pending with neighborhoods or sectors.
Minutes shall be kept and distributed to the membership in advance
of the next meeting. An annual report shall also be prepared and distributed
to the Mayor, City Council and City Clerk in January of each year.
The Housing Commission shall rely on the Director of Housing
as the principal staff professional to carry out the day-to-day functions
of the organization. The Director of Housing shall utilize the staff
resources of the various departments, agencies, organizations, development
corporations, and neighborhood councils engaged in housing-related
activity to assure that members are provided equal access to information
and equitable support.
The Housing Commission may expend such money as may be appropriated
therefor by the City Council.
The Housing Commission shall have powers relative to the holding
of public hearings or any matter within its area of review.
The Housing Commission shall have the right to review any housing
development utilizing public financial resources for consistency within
the City's consolidated plan, housing plan (to be developed), neighborhood
plans or any other recognized or adopted planning document and to
make recommendations to the Mayor relative to the necessity and appropriateness
of the project.
