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Allison Coleman thanked the Board for approving the funds for Richmond Hills. She said that even people that make two and three times minimum wage couldn't afford to buy a home in Orange County. She is thankful that the community worked together to build the homes. Sue Harvin said that she came 2'/ years ago to the Board of Commissioners as board president of Habitat. She wanted to thank the Board for its support of Richmond Hills. She said that the only reason all the people came tonight was to thank the Board. John Terrell, President of Habitat for Humanity, thanked the Board for the support for affordable housing and belief in them and the county residents. A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Carey to close the public hearing and to officially close out the County's Richmond Hills Housing Development Program and authorize execution of the Certificate of Completion by the Chair of the Board of Commissioners. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Chair Jacobs said that they also thank the people in attendance and the members of Habitat for Humanity, as well as the voters of Orange County who approved the bond money. Commissioner Gordon said that she is touched that they all came to the meeting. b. Annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan -Section 8 Housing Program The Board conducted a public hearing and considered approving submission of the Annual Public Housing Agency Plan for the Orange County Housing Authority and authorizing the Chair to sign the Certification of Compliance/Board Resolution on behalf of the Board. Tara Fikes said that the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires all agencies that operate section 8 housing assistance programs to prepare afive-year public housing plan and to submit an annual plan each year thereafter. Orange County submitted the five-year plan in January 2001 and each year it has submitted an annual plan. The section 8 program serves approximately 623 families in Orange County, including the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough. The annual plan does not differ substantially from last year's plan except that HUD did approve 24 vouchers for the Club Nova apartments in Carrboro. The apartments are scheduled to be constructed behind the Club Nova building and should be available for occupancy in November 2004. The 24 vouchers must be used from the existing pool of vouchers. As people leave the program, the vouchers will be directed toward the Club Nova apartments. The plan is available for public comment for 45 days that ends April 15t". Public Comment M. Wadleigh Harrison said that she has a family member that is mentally ill and disabled and for more than two years she has gone to the affordable housing office to apply for section $ vouchers. She has been told every time that the waiting list is closed. She wants to know haw to get the local office to apply for more vouchers. She said that the population growth alone in Orange County warrants more vouchers. She said that the Orange County office says it is powerless to alter any of the standard procedures set out by the federal agency. She said that there are local policies that are allowed within this voucher program so that each individual agency may design its own local policy. She said that Durham does this. Also, the American Disabilities Act provides for reasonable accommodations for the disabled. Currently, mentally ill and disabled people are required to process the paperwork themselves and in person. These people can fall off the waiting list because they are unable to get there for one reason or another. She said that there are many issues that need to be addressed with section 8 housing, particularly relating to the mentally ill with disabilities. She said that her son was told, when he was being dismissed from UNC Hospital, that it was a suitable placement for him to go to the homeless shelter.