11-14-11 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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AMENDED ITEMS FOR CITY OF LA PORTE FHAST FORM TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE REVIEW LETTER DATED OCTOBER 28, 2011 (revised language) The information request states the City of La Porte should complete the following activities along with the others outlined in its original FHAST submittal. The City offers the following responses as amendments to its FHAST: Impediment #6, Item #1: Given the potential for increase in Fair Housing enforcement action by federal and state agencies and private organizations, an ongoing fair housing testing program for areas that receive federal housing and community development funds could be beneficial to protect state agencies and sub - recipients from potential repayment. Fair housing enforcement is a valid use of CDBG funding and can be used to establish testing programs by agencies trained in HUD testing procedures. The state, or local jurisdictions combining together, should consider conducting tests in areas that include the following: steering in sales and rental; the denial of and different terms and conditions based on race, national origin, familial status, and disability in sales and rental; predatory and disparate terms and conditions in lending and insurance; and foreclosure modification schemes targeting minority neighborhoods. The state should also consider education to applicable entities on self - testing and self - correction. ® We do not have a testing program for Fair Housing violations and plan to establish one. When will you do this? ❑ 2011 ❑ 2012 ® 2013 Testing is a sophisticated activity. We will solicit testing from regional or statewide testing providers in 2013. Impediment #7, Item #3: Local jurisdictions seeking CDBG Disaster Recovery funds from the state should consider offering expedited permitting and review processes for affordable housing projects within high opportunity target zones. ® We have not done so but will. When will you do this? ❑ 2011 ❑ 2012 ® 2013 Impediment #13, Item #1: Local jurisdictions should consider establishing incentives for affordable housing applicants to create an increased set -aside of housing units for persons with disabilities or persons who are elderly without violating the existing TDHCA integrated housing rule. ® We have not undertaken the above review, but plan to do so. When will you do this? ❑ 2011F ® 2013 Items 1(disability /elderly set -aside incentive) and 2 (proximity to medical facilities incentive) shall be reviewed in 2013. item 3 is a state activity.