Item Coversheet

BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT

Item No. 12.
For Meeting of: May 18, 2021

ITEM TITLE:Resolution authorizing a Letter of Intent with the Yakima Housing Authority regarding development of affordable housing
SUBMITTED BY:

Robert Harrison, City Manager

Sara Watkins, City Attorney

SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The City of Yakima owns a number of properties in the downtown Yakima core that could be used for affordable housing.  With the requests from our federal legislators for projects that could be eligible for federal funding, City staff reached out to the Yakima Housing Authority to gauge interest in partnering with the City to work towards development of an affordable housing complex with parking under roof and first floor commercial space that could include an early childhood learning center for the residents of the complex and other families who work and live downtown.  The project would be developed for either farmworker housing or permanent supportive housing for the homeless.  There is both a lack of affordable housing and early childhood learning centers in the downtown core.  This Letter of Intent will solidify the working relationship between YHA and the City so that we can jointly seek funding and develop property. Both parties intend to put available resources towards the project.  This is the first step in the partnership.  The intent is to submit this letter with other supporting documents, to Senator Murray to seek federal funding for a project that fits the goals of the Letter of Intent.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionUpload DateType
reso5/14/2021Cover Memo
letter of intent5/17/2021Cover Memo