Minutes of the 19^th Ward Housing Committee Meeting of 7/9/15

Present:  Deb Leary, Donna Sarnacki, Scott Beck, Kathy O’Neill, Kathy Goldberg, Laurie Ann Schulman, Bruce Wilder, NSC.

June minutes approved without amendments.

Property reports postponed until next month due to a guest presentation.  John DeMott had submitted a handout of 5 properties which will be reviewed next month.  They are 255 Sawyer St, 337 Sawyer St., 257 Barton St, 381-383 Genesee St, and 126 Milton St.

Zombie properties:  Deb left a message for Legislator Ranzenhoffer asking for an update on the bill and is waiting for his reply.

The Review of the Mission and Goals statements was postponed due to the guest speaker.

Presentation of guest speaker, Laurie Ann Schulman, Laurie is a licensed associate realtor and REO specialist who specializes in foreclosures and vacant properties.  She gave an overview of why vacant properties and properties in foreclosures are taking so long to resolve and get back on the market.

New York State legislation during Governor Patterson’s tenure gave owner occupants every chance to keep properties.  This was a response to the era of predatory lending.  This legislation required lenders to have accountability to take certain steps, including giving o/os a certain amount of time depending on the situation to resolve the issues and enable o/os to keep their homes.  When all possibilities have been exhausted and the home owner cannot keep the property the bank will offer to the o/os cash for keys so they will move out without eviction.

Some of the banks are starting to involve themselves more at the community level.  For example Wells Fargo looks at working with the local not for profits.  The bank will work with the community and will take care of preservation issues.  There is also an Investor Loan for construction costs – FHA 203K.

Next meeting 8/13/15 with the main agenda items as follows:  discussion of Mission and Goals statements and property reviews (See John DeMott’s handout)

Respectfully submitted, Kathy O’Neill