Minutes - 19840117 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

ors 2 other groups of citizens are concerned with raising .the standards for housing for the people of Orange County. Dorothy Bernholz^ Director of Student Legal Services UNC^ spoke on behalf of the Ordinance and identified problems with the Ordinance: (1)Section 4.7 "every exterior door shall be capable of being locked" needs further clarification-(lack defined); (2) Section 12.4 "Every oc- cupant of a dwelling unit shall keep all supplied plumbing fixtures therein in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation of same"^ state law adds "as the conditions permit"; (3) Article 14.1b "Whenever a petition is filed with the Inspector charging that any dwelling or dwelling unit contains conditions that do not meet minimum standards contained in this Ordinance", if a petition must be filed, the code will be ineffective. Lane Cook. supervisor of Child Protective services of the Orange County Social Services in the Chapel Hill office, supports the code citing that a Minimum Housing Code would help Social Services offer better services to the neglected children of Orange County. She cited a case where substandard housing contributed to a disorder that will remain with a 6-year old child the remainder of his life. verla Insko^ speaking as a private citizen interested in education, spoke in support of the code and gave information about the Human Services Needs Assessment which addxesses adequate housing needs for school children and how inadequate housing has an impact on learning. Moses Carey, interested citizen, spoke in support of the ordinance and felt it time the county go on record indicating their interest for the health, safety and welfare of the people who would be protected by this Ordinance. Mary McCollister, worker with housing programs since 1973, spoke in favor of the code and cited her experiences and concern for enforcement. Joyce Bolgar, Public Health Nurse, spoke in favor of the code and the need for proper shelter as a basic need before an individual can benefit from health care. Dana Baldwin, Chair of the Orange County Commission for Women presented and read a Resolution endorsing the Minimum Housng Code. (see page --~C~. for this resolution) Ruth Royster, member of the Orange County Commission for Women, spoke as a citizen and also a worker with Orange County children supporting the code and cited inadequate housing conditions in Orange County. Perry Burns, County Sanitarian who does inspections in Foster Care Homes and follow-up work an complaints, spoke in favor of the Ordinance and cited homes in the county which are substandard and in very bad shape - floorboard, water, sewage disposal, missing windows, garbage, etc. Bi11 Price, recently retired Episcipol Rector in Hillsborough, stated that he supports the Minimum Housing Code which is needed far the safety and wellbeing of the citizens. Betty Robinson cited problems with Elliott Woods Apartments and was referred to the Chapel Hill building and inspection department.