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AGENDA (continued) ACTION TAKEN (continued) <br /> 2. Public Hearing - Sixth Year Community De- Planning Commission record transmitted 1/16/80 <br /> velopment Block Grant Program application <br /> Mayor Rhodes declared open 7:42 p.m. <br /> City Clerk advised that voluntary display <br /> advertising of the hearing has been made and <br /> that no legal advertising is required. <br /> In response to questions, Assistant City Manager <br /> Smith advised that $20,000 is budgeted for •ma <br /> Building Department staff for the inspection <br /> of homes and counseling of those who need <br /> assistance on how to proceed; the sources of <br /> housing funds; the inclusion of amounts for <br /> temporary relocation; and the flexibility of <br /> use of the designated amounts. <br /> In response to questions, Planning Director <br /> Schroeter commented concerning the allocation <br /> for relocation, noting it is suggested by the <br /> Department of Housing and Urban.Development <br /> (HUD), although it has not been required. <br /> Susan Jackson, attorney for Legal Aid Society, <br /> 2221 Broadway, representing the Housing <br /> Coalition, objected that funds are allocated <br /> to housing rehabilitation, stating that renters <br /> are concerned that rehabilitated housing will <br /> result in rent increases and relocation, and <br /> reminding Council of the complaint she filed <br /> last year with HUD. She suggested a public <br /> hearing should be held to allow renters to <br /> speak regarding any proposed rehabilitation, <br /> and stated that most funds should be allocated <br /> for landbanking and new housing construction, <br /> stating that the City is required to emphasize <br /> that kind of program. <br /> Council members reminded Ms. Jackson that the <br /> total amount involved is only $677,000; that <br /> such an amount could have no measurable effect <br /> on improving the housing situation as a result <br /> of landbanking or supplying new housing; that Pink <br /> such an amount can have considerable favorable <br /> impact if it is used to rehabilitate existing <br /> deteriorating housing stock by bringing it up <br /> to minimally acceptable safe and sanitary <br /> housing levels; and that the Housing Coalition <br /> is apparently not active in other cities in <br /> 9 no attempt to <br /> which are making attem <br /> the County P <br /> improve the housing situation. Ms. Jackson <br /> acknowledged that the Coalition has not <br /> objected to County programs and nothing has <br /> been attempted in many other cities, and <br /> stated that tenants are afraid they will be <br /> priced out of the market if houses are made <br /> safe and sanitary. It was pointed out that <br /> the Health and Safety Code exists; the rehabil- <br /> itation program is to assist property owners <br /> to meet its minimal requirements; that Redwood <br /> City has demonstrated its concern for those <br /> in need of housing; and that Ms. Jackson's <br /> critical remarks are out of order. <br /> Reg.Mtg. <br /> 1/21/80 <br /> Page 2 <br /> aim <br /> i <br />