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Chair Carey said that additional section 8 vouchers was one of the items discussed with <br />Senator Dole's legislative liaison, and there was not much encouragement in view of the <br />President's recommendation on the budget. They will continue to raise the issue. <br />Tara Fikes said that they would be coming back in April with a draft plan. Written <br />comments will continue to be accepted. <br />b. CDBG Program -IDA Program <br />The Board received citizen comments prior to official closeout of the County's FY 2001 <br />Individual Development Account (IDA) Program and considered authorizing execution of the <br />Certificate of Completion by the Chair of the Board of Commissioners. <br />Tara Fikes summarized the information in the agenda abstract. The grant period <br />officially ended on January 31St and a total of 31 families contacted the Women's Center, who <br />was the administrator for the IDA Program. Twenty-one of those families were approved to <br />participate. Of that 21, approximately 11 families had purchased homes in Orange County <br />using their savings as well as the match. Orange County would be eligible to receive another <br />round of funding in this fiscal year up to $70,000. The Department of Commerce requires the <br />public hearing in order to complete the grant closeout process. <br />Tara Fikes recognized the Executive Director of the Women's Center, Connie Mullinex <br />and Elizabeth Waugh-Stewart, who works at the Women's Center. <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />Elizabeth Waugh-Stewart thanked Tara Fikes for her help in this partnership. She said <br />that often in the human services field, it is difficult to point to concrete successes. She said that <br />the IDA program was definitely a concrete success. She said that the range of people that have <br />been interested and have taken advantage of this program has been notable. She said that this <br />is a real opportunity for families in the community to build wealth and assets. <br />Holly Duke, one of the participants in the IDA program, said that after graduating from <br />UNC in 2002, she accepted a job with the University as a career counselor. She soon realized <br />that after paying rent, utilities, student loans, and other expenses, there was little left in her <br />income for a savings. She said that saving for a dawn payment on a house was impossible. <br />She heard about the IDA program while attending a homebuyer's workshop. She had <br />volunteered at the Women's Center and knew they were an outstanding organization, but she <br />was not sure she was an appropriate candidate. She was informed that she easily qualified. <br />She said that she is so thankful for this program. She said that there are strict, but fair rules for <br />participants, including a commitment to save $1,000 of her money. In the end, the $2,000 she <br />received for successfully completing the program, combined with her $1,000 was exactly the <br />amount she needed to cover the closing costs on her home. She is officially a homeowner. <br />Nancy Worrell was also a participant in the IDA program. She said that she is a small <br />business owner and recently divorced. She felt like she was on the edge of being homeless, <br />and this opportunity came along and she was able to buy her first home. She said that the <br />program was very educational and an excellent program for women to get on their feet. She <br />thanked the Board far supporting this program. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked Tara Fikes to keep the Board apprised since this is a State <br />program. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to <br />authorize the execution of the Certificate of Completion by the Chair of the Board of <br />Commissioners. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />