Cynthia Andrews

The board conducted elections for the positions of Chair and Commissioner. Consent agenda items included the approval of Section 8 housing assistant payments, vouchers, and a quarterly financial report. Action items addressed the establishment of the 2026 meeting schedule, the appointment of the Executive Director, and the authorization of a new banking relationship. The Executive Director provided updates on the federal HUD budget, tenant protection vouchers, and compliance requirements regarding data reporting. A proposed rule concerning mixed-status households and upcoming federal policy implications were also discussed.

The meeting commenced with a roll call, acknowledging the absence of Commissioner Perez and noting pending reappointments for two board members, which postponed the election of the chair and vice chair. Public comments addressed concerns regarding housing authority properties in the Delta neighborhood, specifically requesting updates on park district matters, demolition, hazmat removal, and parking issues near Maduro Square buildings. The Executive Director provided an update on the federal government shutdown, her first-week impressions emphasizing building trust through transparent communication, and noted potential opportunities in resident services, FSS grants, ROSS grants, and MTW flexibilities. Board business included the approval of minutes for previous regular and special meetings, approval of consent agenda items (payments and quarterly financial report), and discussions during a public hearing to amend the work supplement for the fiscal year. The public hearing focused on two proposed MTW waivers: one concerning choice mobility timelines for Project Based Voucher clients and another to exclude all student financial aid from income calculations. Additionally, resolutions were passed approving the Section 125 cafeteria plan for 2026, the disposal of obsolete information technology equipment, and revisions to the personnel manual policy model, which included updates on reduction in force procedures, FMLA key personnel designation, non-union employee annual leave parity, Washington Paid Family Medical Leave, and expanding the smokefree environment policy to include vaping.

The board discussed several operational and administrative topics, including the election of officers, a review of federal funding for housing programs, and the status of capital funding applications for the Baker Heights demolition. Additionally, there were reports on property management metrics, such as occupancy rates and unit turnover periods, along with a presentation on a successful new partnership between the housing authority and Evergreen Goodwill for trades training. The meeting also included an update on departmental action plans and upcoming town hall initiatives.

The primary agenda item for this special meeting was Resolution Number 1587, which authorizes the acquisition of the Barer Square property and related pre-development activities. The resolution seeks authorization for the Executive Director to execute a possession and use agreement for the property located at 127-174 4th Avenue West in Everett for potential co-development with Snow Ale. The joint partnership aims to include a library component (Snow's Library), Civic Spaces within the library concept for the Mariner Community Campus, and approximately 200 units of affordable housing, subject to future feasibility studies. Additionally, the board considered and approved a budget ceiling of $5 million for pre-development activities, covering due diligence, closing, design, and construction start phases. The general terms for the possession and use agreement include a base price of $2.79 million plus closing costs, with a target settlement date of June 1st, 2024, for finalizing total settlement costs. Board members expressed satisfaction with the understanding reached with all parties involved.

The meeting focused on the Moving to Work (MTW) program, which allows the agency to use federal funding more flexibly and test innovative local strategies. Key discussion points involved the presentation of background information on MTW and the waivers requested from HUD. Specifically, the agency is proposing waivers related to the new tiered rent policy for non-elderly, non-disabled participants, which involves setting rent based on the middle of income bands rather than the lowest amount, and changing income re-examinations from annually to every three years. The hardship policy related to income decreases and certain expenses (childcare, number of dependents) for participants under the tiered rent structure was detailed. The primary goals of the MTW demonstration are to run programs more cost-effectively, help capable participants increase employment toward self-sufficiency, and increase housing choice.