Minutes 02-01-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Median Income has fallen below where it was 30 years ago; top 1%'s income has more than tripled. • Orange County has remarkable levels of poverty compared to the rest of the world. Poverty in Orange County and N.C. is invisible and political parties are oblivious to the poverty. • In Orange County–federal census data-23% of residents live in poverty; 21% of kids- are in poverty– out of this 42% are children of color; and 41% are Latino. • 12,000 of us receive food assistance; and our median income is $56,000 – higher than the norm; poverty rate though is higher in Orange County. Figures distorted due to UNC students who show up as low income but not impoverished. • Racial disparity in Orange County's poverty numbers; 13% of white, and 42% black live in poverty. Racial wealth disparity is worse than income disparity and Orange County is one of the worst. • Higher percentage living in poverty since the recession and since 2008. Even though Orange County is better than most of the state, the worst income disparity in N.C. is in Orange County. • Economic inequality–two studies–found out of 818 counties –Orange County has greater income equality than 98% of the rest of these counties; Orange County–5th highest income inequality–even if these numbers are off the numbers are still revealing and stark. • For Board of County Commissioners– high wealth, high poverty, high income disparity = need for affordable housing. • Mr. Nichol made the following recommendations to the BOCC for a Legislative agenda • They should vocalize opposition to existing and proposed state policies that would make our counties and our state's low income residents poorer. (i.e. don't cut unemployment benefits) • Assess any proposed state policy by asking what will be its impact on the bottom third of Orange County's residents Cornrnliissliioneir Diiscussliion Nighlllliiglhts Orange County Challenges to Affordable Housing Development a. The cost of affordable housing development is prohibitive because of rules related to land use (where we can or cannot build; restrictions on allowed lot size in urban and rural areas etc.) b. Because there are limitations on where utilities can be located that impacts where housing can be built. c. Orange County is legally prohibited from having rent controlled apartments. d. There's a problem with defining affordable housing because it is generally focused solely on affordability and doesn't take into consideration the need for better housing conditions for some. People Need Increased Wages - If you have decent wages it would significantly diminish our county's need for affordable housing. Making Progress Addressing Poverty and Engaging Those Most Affected-Although the Commissioners are committed to services, not only are they not making much progress decreasing poverty those who are most affected don't come to Commission meetings. It was suggested that Commissioners need to: a. Think outside of the box. b. Go out into communities and talk with people because residents don't know the commissioners. c. Make an honest assessment of what has been done to address the needs of those living in poverty and their impacts. Affordable housing serves a target audience– but fails to reach the