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15 <br />Summary of Comments and Applications <br />for 2003-2004 HOME Program Funding <br />The following comments were received at public hearings held by the Council on <br />January 29 and the County Commissioners February 4, 2003: <br />Alex Asburn, Director of Affordable Rentals, Inc. requested HOME funds to <br />purchase units in .Orange County for affordable rental housing. Mr. Asburn <br />stated that he would develop a more specific proposal and submit an application. <br />2. Robert Dowling, Executive Director of Orange Community Housing and Land <br />Trust requested second mortgage funds for two projects in Carrboro <br />(approximately $10,000 -$12,000 per unit). Mr. Dowling stated that he would <br />develop a more specific proposal and submit an application. [NOTE: Orange <br />Community Housing and Land Trust decided not to submit funding requests for <br />these projects. The organization actually submitted an application for second <br />mortgage- assistance for the Greenway Condominium Complex in Meadowmont. <br />He also recommended that a land use planner be engaged to develop concept <br />plans for the Greene Tract available for affordable housing. <br />3. Chris Moran, Executive Director of the Interfaith Council asked the County to <br />develop a plan to end homelessness and that the County lift the moratorium on <br />the Section 8 program. <br />4. Jack Chestnut, representing Carol Woods asked the County to consider <br />encouraging the .development of housing for senior citizens. He also <br />recommended that there be some collaboration among the County's 2001 bond <br />issues. Issues mentioned were affordable housing; aging; and parks. <br />The following agencies submitted applications for 2003-2004 HOME Program funding. <br />1. Affordable Rentals, Inc. <br />Affordable Rentals, Inc. submitted two requests: one to use $188,000 to purchase a <br />property on Roosevelt Drive, and a second for $174,000 to purchase a triplex on <br />Forsyth Drive. The properties would be made available as permanently affordable <br />rental housing for households earning between 30% and 50% of the area median <br />income. <br />Staff Response: The HOME Program Review Committee proposes to allocate <br />$188,000 to Affordable Rentals to purchase one house. <br />