[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 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.