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Council previewed purchases of lots for Habitat, transitional housing and Appalachian Service Project
Summary
The finance committee reported first readings authorizing negotiations to purchase properties the city will transfer to Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity and Appalachian Service Project and to acquire a quadplex for CMCSS Families in Transition. Funding will come from the city's HOME entitlement and other community grants.
The council's finance committee on June 26 reported first readings of three ordinances authorizing the mayor or his designee to negotiate purchases of real property to support affordable and transitional housing initiatives.
Michelle Austin, a city housing official, described the proposals. Ordinance 104 authorizes negotiations to purchase two lots on Ford Street to donate to Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity; the city plans to use HOME Investment Partnership entitlement funds to remove lot costs and accelerate development of low-cost homes. "Habitat for Humanity is, as you know, a trusted organization who provides affordable housing to our low income residents here in Clarksville," Austin said.
Ordinance 105 would authorize the acquisition of a quadplex to provide transitional housing for families participating in the CMCSS (Clarksville-Montgomery County School System) Families in Transition program; Austin said partners refer families for short- to mid-term housing while case management helps secure permanent housing. Ordinance 106 authorizes purchase of property to support Appalachian Service Project's effort to build homes (including tornado-recovery units) and said ASP has committed to build up to 20 homes this year; the parcel identified for purchase would yield three lots for tornado survivors.
Council members voiced support. Councilman Streetman and others praised staff and partners for advancing projects that would remove lot costs for Habitat builds and provide immediate transitional units for families in need. Austin said the city receives about $500,000 annually in HOME entitlement funds and that the purchases will be funded from those and related community funds.
These are first-read ordinances; the finance committee voted to forward them to council for consideration. Staff will proceed with negotiated purchases if council approves the ordinances on subsequent readings.
