INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: April 8, 2024
Subject: Affordable Housing Finance Committee Recruitment
Submitted For: John Kopchik, Director
Department: Conservation and Development
Referral No: IOC 24/3
Referral Name: Advisory Body Recruitment
Presenter: Kristin Sherk
Contact: Kristin.Sherk@dcd.cccounty.us <mailto:Kristin.Sherk@dcd.cccounty.us>
Referral History:
The Affordable Housing Finance Committee (AHFC) advises the Board of Supervisors on the annual allocation of HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Measure X Housing, and Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds for affordable housing development in Contra Costa County. It typically convenes once annually in the spring to review staff’s recommendations for project funding of applications received through a competitive public request for proposals process.
The AHFC consists of seven seats, including:
• Three city representative seats (one from each sub-region of the County, currently residing in an incorporated city); and
• Three County representative seats (one from each sub-region of the County, currently residing in an unincorporated area of the County); and
• One Community/At-Large representative seat (currently residing in the County, either incorporated or unincorporated).
Nominations for AHFC representatives are solicited by the Department of Conservation and Development, reviewed by the Internal Operations Committee (IOC), and referred to the Board of Supervisors for approval. AHFC terms are for three years. Per the bylaws adopted in 2021, all members are required to have professional experience in the field of affordable housing finance, design, development, or property management. Members may be retired or active affordable housing professionals.
Interviews were scheduled to be conducted at the March IOC meeting but none of the March applicants appeared to be interviewed nor did they respond to follow-up contacts by staff.
Referral Update:
Four applications have been submitted to fill three current vacancies:
• Central sub-region Unincorporated Representative - term expired June 30, 2022
• Central sub-region City Representative - vacant as of December 12, 2023
• East sub-region Unincorporated Representative - term expired June 30, 2023
Of the four applications received, one does not currently reside in Contra County, and one does not have relevant professional affordable housing experience. Two of the applicants have professional affordable housing experience in some capacity and are currently eligible as they reside in a geographic area within the County where there currently is a vacancy. All the applicants will be thanked for their application and interest in serving on the AHFC and encouraged to consider other County commissions and committees.
No applications were received for the vacant East County Unincorporated Representative seat. The applicants have been invited to attend this meeting as their schedule permits them to be available for any questions the Committee may have.
Uncontested Seats / Single-Applicants
City Representative (central sub-region) Application
• Waleed Akbar, City of San Ramon: They have housing work experience as a licensed real estate agent with over 18 years’ experience in the Bay Area.
Unincorporated Representative (central sub-region) Application
• Dallas Elliott, Unincorporated Walnut Creek: They have experienced finance, data, systems, and business professional with strong financial skills.
Staff recommend the appointment of the above candidates to the Board of Supervisors for their approval. Their application materials are attached for reference.
While both recommended applicants were invited to attend today’s IOC meeting, Mr. Elliott is unable to attend but understands the commitment to serve on the AHFC and should be generally available to meet in person for a potential AHFC meeting in June. Mr. Akbar is available to be at the IOC meeting on Monday and verbally committed to an in-person AHFC meeting in June.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
1. CONSIDER staff recommendation of:
a. appointment of Waleed Akbar to the City (central sub-region) Representative seat to a new three-year term ending on June 30, 2027, and FORWARD the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
b. appointment of Dallas Elliot to the Unincorporated (central sub-region) Representative seat to a new three-year term ending on June 30, 2027, and FORWARD the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
2. FORWARD the above recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.