[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6528920,"mediaKeyId","5021471-797199ae5120816fcefb78f34a07d017","parentId",5021471,"title","HAWK debates flexible housing fund, project pipeline and TIF timing as council deadlines approach","audioSeconds",2429,"startMs",2501000,"endMs",4930000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5021471-797199ae5120816fcefb78f34a07d017&start=2501&end=4930","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5021471-797199ae5120816fcefb78f34a07d017/thumbnail_2501000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528920/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/HAWK-debates-flexible-housing-fund-project-pipeline-and-TIF-timing-as-council-deadlines-approach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528920-2da407a1ca244e36646d15d4f8c2505e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961572&Signature=X0Y8JUVjS5-blXjUMY22wrz~rvn4dRYk9Pn5Ne4A~rcBgpUkhVOkVPWgYwkX774dFTp7gi6agP1vRzbfxA~OCzyRbFRSogtsO-cAl7J7cPUvtv1ndFHkKz2~pT-CpfrzOeSbaM0sl-8fTNsV0DuC0SP7-mDI4MZ~gUx7g8wx0ZS7TULG0XTxUsO6xFYwdnLpU5ZcY2VDk17zMAqUH8XP-unGQMxFrrLAUx~P0TQO6O3dCUIKsyRQReBuzvU4tmoKX-I~E5~1koTB5vMDN~FBEBc9xtwJ7BX~nWawp6IJNmEZ-SQBbh0fAAola9ZFXhRMT2vai8UEjhJTRyqLQ57swA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eau Claire, WI","date","2025-06-11T17:15:00Z","article","At its June 11 meeting the Housing Opportunities Commission (HAWK) discussed the City of Eau Claire’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) timeline, the flexible housing fund, and project updates for several large development efforts in the city.

City staff briefed commissioners that council amendments to the CIP were due June 13 and that adoption was scheduled for June 24. The commission was told a flexible housing fund line item currently includes a minimum allocation of $250,000; that fund has been used in the past to support projects recommended by HAWK but the City Council makes the final award decisions.

Commissioners reviewed last year’s RFP process and scoring rubric and noted that the evaluation matrix used previously assumed LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) project structures, which made non-LIHTC or smaller projects difficult to score competitively. Commissioners asked staff to circulate the previous RFP and matrix for HAWK review and recommended possible rubric revisions to better accommodate non‑LIHTC or smaller-scale proposals.

Staff summarized the last funding cycle: council originally split recommended awards between two projects; one project later declined to sign a contract and council reallocated the full award to a Hmong Association project. The commission discussed whether the flexible fund could be better targeted toward directly producing housing and debated the legal and program constraints on using the money (including fair‑housing and other statutory considerations).

The meeting also included updates on development projects: the Cannery District P& R properties (phase 1 occupancy achieved, phase 2 underway); the Paragon development (groundbreaking underway); the Prairie West project (first phases moving forward); Orchard Hills annexation activity; and residential units planned above the transit center. Staff reported that some projects include income-restricted units: the P&R properties set aside 20% of units at 80% CMI and a subset at 60% CMI; Paragon has about 25% set at 80% CMI and an additional share at 60% CMI. Staff also provided tax-increment financing (TIF) figures for major projects: the P&R project received $5 million in TIF assistance and guaranteed about $50 million in taxable value over 20 years; the Paragon/related projects guaranteed roughly $62 million in taxable value and together the two recent projects had approximately $11 million in TIF assistance (the staff summary said the projects collectively guaranteed roughly $120 million in taxable value over 20 years).

Commissioners asked for greater HAWK visibility in upcoming council and planning discussions, suggested a possible letter to remind council that HAWK exists to advise on housing policy, and proposed a future agenda item to revise the RFP and matrix before a new funding round. Staff agreed to send the prior RFP and scoring matrix to commissioners so the group can discuss changes at an upcoming meeting. Commissioners also discussed city‑owned infill lots that staff is evaluating for potential redevelopment and noted some TID (TIF) districts will reach the end of their term in coming years, which could free incremental revenue for housing if the district plans and statutes permit.

No formal funding awards were made at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to circulate materials and return the RFP/matrix for further discussion at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Eau Claire, WI - Housing Opportunities Commission - Jun 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission reviewed the capital improvement plan timeline, discussed a $250,000 flexible housing fund and possible RFP rubric changes, and received updates on multiple housing projects and TIF assistance amounts; members urged more active advocacy to influence council funding decisions.","taxTitle","Eau Claire City, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin","taxId",4140,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528924,"Housing commission approves letter to council raising affordability concerns about Century Code zoning update",983,127000,1110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5021471-797199ae5120816fcefb78f34a07d017&start=127&end=1110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5021471-797199ae5120816fcefb78f34a07d017/thumbnail_127000.jpg","/articles/6528924/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Housing-commission-approves-letter-to-council-raising-affordability-concerns-about-Century-Code-zoning-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528924-40506b5dd808736aa1a572edf1e9827d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961572&Signature=h0lqDxM7HGLtZSDB-i-5LeJUapRER-se0ciuBIKAJVh~P3y8FXYpaORboH5Kglx~-3fVUw5SWYLVFhAz9-1zhrWZJMHLzHQ-ivHBtxcdzcLvGdRy581O~A5oW7uyuvEcOtqh4CNpvc4pVkKOGsremHQwPyq5cr66xdCet7jvWr5FoDKaEmZ~yBY71LrbOydVlrC0YfYT5Ya6dX46YXgRImHtGXx~Faxknmz6ej~CoGxAnzHKo~9LhHMlfQGXJSVWo0DU10zKJHRxM-gP-uUlP4XgRf-bdtQ7Zxo5HmILYfE2gukvnmXUOTiDu5hFgKtJWmaRCUGP2hc7eIW9~2FjlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Housing Opportunities Commission on June 11 approved an amended letter to the City of Eau Claire that raises concerns about elements of the Century Code zoning update and asks council and planning staff to account for housing affordability and accessibility when the code is finalized.

Commissioners said they drafted the letter to highlight specific provisions they believe could increase development costs and rents, and they approved the version with language narrowed to “express our concerns as to the implications of the Century Code update on housing affordability and accessibility in Eau Claire.”

The commission debated a set of cost estimates provided by the Chippewa Valley Home Builders and read into the record during the meeting. Commissioner Christina Thrun read the builders’ submitted comments, which said, in part, “this code item results in a $5,000 to $9,000 additional cost per balcony or patio depending on the developer and what is built,” and that one developer estimated that requirement could raise rents by about 5–10 percent on certain new units. The builders’ submission also listed a minimum cost for social-gathering space at roughly $25,000 and estimated a rent impact of about $33 per month for that amenity package.

Commissioners discussed how the requirement as drafted would apply mainly to larger developments. City staff explained that the draft zoning text applies the social-gathering-space/design-selection requirement to new development or major redevelopment resulting in 20 or more dwelling units, or more than 5,000 square feet of nonresidential gross floor area. Commissioners and staff also noted a waiver route exists for developments that guarantee affordability — for example through planned unit development processes or specified affordability covenants — and that single, standalone multifamily buildings and many downtown projects would often not meet the 20-unit threshold.

After edits to clarify the commission’s focus on particular elements of the Century Code rather than opposing the entire code rewrite, the commission voted to approve the amended letter. Chair acting Carrie Poser was asked to finalize the draft and circulate the corrected version so the chair’s digital signature can be added and the letter forwarded to both the Plan Commission and the City Council.

Commissioners also agreed that one or more designated HAWK representatives will present the commission’s comments in person at upcoming hearings — the Plan Commission session listed for June 30 and the City Council public discussion scheduled for July 21 — and said they will coordinate with Commissioner Thrun to ensure the designated speaker(s) have technical backup on code specifics.

The commission’s action was procedural (approval of a letter and assignment of representatives). No changes to the City’s draft code were made at the meeting; the letter will be delivered in advance of the Plan Commission and council hearings where amendments may be proposed by council members.

Members closed the agenda item after asking staff to circulate the final edited letter and confirming that the commission’s point of contact will send the signed letter to planning and council staff.","The Housing Opportunities Commission approved an amended letter to the City of Eau Claire asking council and planning staff to consider affordability and accessibility impacts of the Century Code zoning updates; the commission will send representatives to upcoming Plan Commission and City Council hearings and coordinate technical backup.","actionData","errors"]

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HAWK debates flexible housing fund, project pipeline and TIF timing as council deadlines approach

Housing commission approves letter to council raising affordability concerns about Century Code zoning update