Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications

The Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications has scheduled a meeting for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall in St. Thomas.

BLOCK I
10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

Update and discussion regarding the VI Slice Program as we continue the examination of affordable housing and homeownership issues considering recently announced eligibility requirements. Lending institutions to provide an update, as well as their viewpoint, to the Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications on all issues related to rules, regulations and operations of the V.I. Slice program and homeownership financing.

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Wayne L. Biggs, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority
Ms. Kimme Bryce, Area Director, USDA Rural Development
Mr. Valdamier Collens, President, Merchants Commercial Bank
Mr. Michael Armendariz, Representative, Capital Mortgage Services
Ms. Dina Perry-Malone, Vice-President & USVI Marketing Manager, First Bank Virgin Islands
Mr. Lee Smith, Senior Executive Vice President & President of Mortgage, New York Community Bank

LUNCH BREAK
12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

BLOCK II
1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Update and discussion on the status of all affordable housing initiatives, including implementation of the 2023-2024 Affordable Housing Plan; and the status of the First-Time Homebuyer Program & the EnVision Tomorrow program.

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Dayna Clendinen, Interim Executive Director, Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority
Ms. Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Director, Office of Disaster Recovery