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3 <br />In 1997, HUD conducted a random digit dialing survey in the communities within the <br />Raleigh-Durham MSA to determine average rental costs. The survey results warranted <br />a 9% increase in Fair Market Rents within the Chapel Hill town limits, however, it <br />concluded that- average rents were within the published Fair Market Rents. General <br />experience has shown that, particularly in the newer apartment complexes in the <br />Chapel Hill/Carrboro area, actual market rents exceed the HUD published rents. <br />This issue, an expensive rental market, along with the other aforementioned challenges <br />are even more acute for low income families in the community, particularly those <br />participating in the Section 8 Program. <br />Presently, there are 569 families on the Section 8 waiting list, with 84 being disabled <br />and/or elderly. The average waiting period is 12-24 months. Approximately 260 <br />disabled/handicapped families of 600 total families are currently participating in the <br />program. <br />It remains a challenge to encourage landlords to participate in the program. The most <br />cited reasons for non-participation include: rent limitations; <br />limits on yearly rent increases; <br />property damage; <br />rent increases; and <br />general dislike for government <br />programs (Big Brother). <br />In summary, there should be continuing dialogue in the community such as the <br />housing roundtable sponsored by Congressman Price to identify creative ways to <br />address rental housing challenges in the County. There is no one quick fix, rather it <br />will take the commitment of the entire community to address the multi-faceted <br />challenges of the rental housing market. <br />