2024-09-09-minutes-public-works-and-cds-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2024 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: September 9, 2024 TOPIC: Letter of Support for Odd Fellows Affordable Housing Project ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to Staff LEAD STAFF: Jamey Ayling, Planning Manager RECOMMENDATION: Direct Staff to provide letter of support to the Odd Fellows grant application for an affordable housing project BRIEFING SUMMARY: CDS Staff have been approached by Dave Sturgell, Representing the Odd Fellows requesting a letter of support to include in their grant application to the Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing grant funds. The grant fund will provide funding for their proposed affordable housing project on Pfenning Road within the City of Ellensburg. BACKGROUND: The Odd Fellows have been attempting to develop an affordable housing project on Pfenning Road south of the Cemetery for several years. Project costs have continued to rise and without grant funding this project will not be feasible for the Lodge to complete. The Odd Fellows have partnered with the Office of Rural Farmworkers to complete a funding request from the Housing Trust Fund. In order to complete the application they are in need of a letter of support from the City or County. DISCUSSION: This funding request in excess of 5 million dollars would help make the housing project a reality for the Odd Fellows and would be a step towards reducing the lack of affordable housing in Kittitas County. Staff is asking for the Boards support by authorizing staff to sign and submit a letter of support for this funding application. FISCAL IMPACTS: No fiscal impacts are anticipated. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: DRAFT Letter of Support Page 1 of 2 Community Development Services "Study Session Staff Report", 2024