Present were: Chairperson Councillor Barbara G. Haller

Councillor Michael C. Perotto

Councillor Gary Rosen

Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes

Also: Director of Neighborhood & Housing Development Dennis Hennessy

Director of Housing, Scott Hayman

Executive Director of Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Dr. Roberta Schaefer

Assistant City Clerk, Lisa M. Thomas, clerk

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

1. Relative to the City of Worcester's Land Use Buildout Analysis.

#18D CM October 15, 2002

In Committee for Informational Purposes Only

In Committee July 2, 2003 – Held

In Committee January 23, 2006 - Held

Recommend File

2. Relative to an update and initiatives on the City Housing Policies.

#17D CM June 17, 2003

In Committee July 2, 2003 – Held

In Committee January 23, 2006 - Held

Recommend File

3. Relative to the City of Worcester’s Action Plan for implementation of key Housing Policy Goals.

#17K CM August 12, 2003

In Committee January 23, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

4. Relative to the City’s NeighborWorks Home Ownership Center.

#17A February 8, 2005

In Committee January 23, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

5. Relative to the City of Worcester’s Housing Policy.

#8C CM November 30, 2004

In Committee January 23, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

OTHER ITEM

6. Order of Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request the Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee to consider changes to tenant/landlord laws when reviewing the City’s Housing Policies.

#15h CC June 17, 2003

In Committee July 2, 2003 – Held

In Committee January 23, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report regarding the feasibility of updating the RKG study and timelines necessary accomplish same.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report that itemizes all Worcester’s Affordable Housing policies focusing on median income and size of families.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report regarding the Community Preservation Act identifying the cities and towns in the Commonwealth who enlisted in this program and specifying any monetary requirements associated with participating in the Community Preservation Act.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report that details the monetary amounts associated with the median income range and identify the number of households that fall into said category. Further request a more detailed listing of the number of households, which measure above and below the median income at various income levels and monetary amounts associated with those income levels.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report regarding available affordable housing vs. demand at various low-income levels.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report relative to the effects of predatory lending upon homeownership in the City of Worcester.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager enlighten the public relative to the Work Force Homeownership Program and consider collaborating with the non-profit agencies throughout the City to arrange seminars to educate the public.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager promote homeownership throughout the City by campaigning in distressed sections of the City and formulate a plan to disseminate homeownership material throughout the City.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report that compares the 43% homeownership in Worcester to other large cities in the Commonwealth and across the country.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report that details the City’s role in the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission. Further request the report to include a mission statement from the CMRPC.