Agenda - 05-04-1999 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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families for up to six months after they leave the transitional housing component. It is recognized that families will need assistance in transitioning from a highly supportive environment to one which encourages and fosters independence. Similarly, the Orange Person Chatham Mental Health Agency provides some limited housing counselor along with case management for their clients seeking rental housing. In preparation for the development of the 2000 Consolidated Plan, principal actors in the Continuum of Care delivery system in Orange County will be invited to a planning session to discuss current needs of the homeless and transitional housing population.and develop strategies for the future to address the identified needs. F. Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing Orange County enacted a density bonus for affordable housing in 1990, allowing up to 50% increase in density for developments that are all affordable and sold to qualifying low and moderate-income households. In June 1993, they adopted an ordinance establishing a system of impact fees to be collected in Orange County as well as the municipalities in the County. Presently, the fee is $750 per residential dwelling unit in the Orange County School District and $3,000 in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School System. Revenue generated is used to finance a portion of the cost of new public school space recreated by new residential growth. Before enactment, the Board of Commissioners acknowledged the need to establish a policy to cover low-income residential construction. The Board of County Commissioners has adopted a policy for reimbursement of impact fees for non-profit housing organizations serving first-time homebuyers at 80% and below of median income within budget restraints. On March 4, 1998, the Board of County Commissioners approved a policy revision to include rental housing developed by non-profit organizations. Within the designated urban services areas of Chapel Hill where access to employment, transit, day care, schools, and public utilities is located, the supply of vacant land is small and the price is high. In addition to the high cost of plan preparation, processing fees, utility installation, street improvements, and lengthy review schedules all add to development costs. In response, the Chapel Hill Town Council has responded by making special accommodations for assisted housing development including: waiving processing fees, expediting review schedules, and modifying street improvement requirements. Currently, the Chapel Hill Zoning ordinance provides a density bonus for rental projects that include units affordable to low-income families. As developers and non-profit organizations interested in housing development begin to identify the actual cost impact of local development regulations, the Town may consider subsidies or regulatory flexibility to encourage development of affordable housing. 20