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Council Member Restler questions HPD's use of Microsoft Forms for preliminary applications
1:14:59
ยท
70 sec
Council Member Restler inquires about HPD's use of Microsoft Forms for preliminary applications on their website, questioning whether this is due to staffing challenges and backlog. Acting Commissioner Tigani explains the rationale behind using this system.
- Restler asks why applicants need to go through a Microsoft Form for preliminary applications
- He questions if this is related to staffing challenges and backlog issues
- Tigani explains that the form helps reduce time lost in back-and-forth communications by ensuring complete information is provided upfront
- The commissioner emphasizes that this process actually helps get work done faster by streamlining the initial application stage
Lincoln Restler
1:14:59
And I just have to point out, if folks go, if visitors go to HPD's website looking to apply for preservation financing, they're asked to fill out a Microsoft form preliminary application.
1:15:15
Why do applicants need to go through a Microsoft form?
1:15:18
Is this something the department uses because of staffing challenges and backlog?
1:15:22
Is this I mean there's been additional applications I presume they have to complete.
1:15:27
Could you just explain that to us?
Ahmed Tigani
1:15:29
More often than not, in order to reduce we lose a lot of time in the back and forth where there isn't complete information provided.
1:15:36
So someone may come in with some guidance about what the term sheet is they need to use and what direction they need to go in.
1:15:44
And there are some people who are more expert in this work.
1:15:47
We see in our new construction side there's a lot of technical expertise and experience that doesn't always exist on the preservation side in particular.
1:15:55
So, this helps us get to the questions we need to so we get them to the people they need to talk to faster, and we can move into the process points like getting a physical needs assessment more quickly.
1:16:06
This is in fact helping us get the work done faster.
Lincoln Restler
1:16:09
Can you just remind me how many positions are being added at HPD as a result of City of Yes?