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7 <br />Robert Dowling said this had been considered but there are complications, including; <br />subsidy money in the property, restrictive special use permits, and workload of rental <br />management. <br />Chair Jacobs said he appreciated Commissioner Gordon's comments but he agrees with <br />Commissioner Dorosin. He said that he defers to Robert Dowling's expertise and he feels there <br />needs to be more flexibility. He suggested that a date six months from now be chosen and a <br />report be given at that point to see how things are going. <br />Chair Jacobs suggested that, at some point, Robert Dowling share with the full board the <br />points he made at a past Assembly of Governments meeting. He said this would give a more <br />comprehensive look at the issues that CHT and affordable housing in general, are facing. <br />Frank Clifton noted that Robert Dowling had already said the current model was created <br />15 years ago and it is not currently working. He said that he understands that CHT does not <br />want to do rentals, but when the units sit empty for 6 months, it becomes a philosophical issue, <br />and perhaps there ought to be rentals in order to generate income. He said there ought to be a <br />more in -depth discussion about these things to decide on the key priorities. He said there are <br />going to be fewer and fewer federal dollars over time and so there needs to be an analysis of <br />how to get the best bang for the dollars that are there. <br />Commissioner Gordon said it is a good idea to go back and look at the model again. <br />She said that goals and priorities need to be examined again and the incremental changes <br />being discussed at this meeting don't get at the basic issues. <br />Affordable Housing Awareness Campaign <br />AHAB Member Katherine Doom said that a UNC marketing class took up this cause as a <br />case study in class and surveyed the community about affordable housing. This survey <br />revealed a general lack of awareness of the issue. She said that the class put together an <br />awareness campaign, which initiated AHAB to begin a media campaign through Facebook to <br />raise awareness about the issue and the opportunities in the county. AHAB manages the page <br />and plans on posting meeting information, and special events and opportunities. There is also a <br />brochure planned on affordable housing. <br />IV. Proposed Affordable Housing Clearinghouse <br />AHAB Member James Stroud distributed a hand out on the Clearinghouse. He said the <br />goal is to impose this clearinghouse to have a catch all, one stop shop for all things regarding <br />affordable housing. He referenced a copy of the business statement and said the current goal <br />is to develop a committee to come in and assist in the design of a clearinghouse. He noted that <br />the Center for Home Ownership has received national accreditation from the National <br />Community Re- investment Coalition, so the capacity is there for this project to be pulled <br />together. <br />V. Other Discussion Items <br />VI. Closing Statements <br />Chair Jacobs suggested a work session with affordable housing in October with a longer <br />time for discussion. <br />VII. Adjourn <br />The meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM . <br />