2013/10/16 Council Agenda Packet

1 ATTACHMENT A The cities in Snohomish County and the Snohomish County government have now taken the step • to create the Inter-Jurisdictional Housing Committee (IHC). This new group comprised of local governments in Snohomish County is a systems change that will create a centralized forum for local governments to efficiently disseminate housing information, work together to gain more expertise in housing policy issues, and cooperatively advocate at the federal and state level to . ensure that there is adequate support for efforts to end homelessness and promote affordable housing in their communities. The group will inform local land use efforts to promote housing that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. The target model for the IHC is A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) on King County's Eastside. The IHC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and draft Interlocal Agreement are attached. The following jurisdictions have signed onto the MOU: Mukilteo, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Stevens, Everett, Mill Creek, Snohomish, Sultan, Marysville, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Woodway, Granite Falls, and Snohomish • County. Every one of the jurisdictions signing onto this undertaking has at least one elected official and a planning executive who have decided that housing is a high priority for their community. Bringing these elected officials and planning executives together on the IHC will substantially enhance the work that is currently going on in the County to promote affordable housing and ensure that there are affordable housing options for families exiting homeless housing. During this period of intensive interest in housing and transportation, it is especially important that this entity is created and sustained to ensure that affordable housing is appropriately integrated into planning efforts. Embarking on this effort right now is difficult when these cities and the County are experiencing economic distress. The goals of the IHC can advance significantly faster if the committee members can spend the_first year establishing the priorities and substantive functions of the NC rather than spending that time working to build financial support. It will be much easier to secure permanent and ongoing financial support from the cities and County if the NC can get up and running with professional staff and products to show. That is why I would like to explore with you the potential of Gates Foundation support for the first full year of operation of the IHC. Please see the attached IHC 2013 budget. HASCO committed to provide modest staffing and an administrative base to support the IHC. We have_hired a_.graduate student-intern-from the University-of Washington-Master of-Urban Planning program to supplement our staff work for the committee.This intern,with support from HASCO staff,will work to build the IHC and produce initial reports for the committee. HASCO • will bear this expense through the end of 2012. Although HASCO is providing staff support for the committee,the NC is not a HASCO project. Starting in 2013, the NC would like to have a full-time professional to staff the committee. Ideally the current intern would continue on in this full-time position. The Gates Foundation would cover the cost of the full-time staff person plus any additional outside consulting work that is needed. HASCO would still provide office space, all administrative support, and supplemental staffing support without reimbursement. Starting in 2014,the cities and the County would provide the fmancial support to fully cover the budget. HASCO would continue to provide the office space, administrative support, and supplemental staffing as an ongoing responsibility. 2 94