Orange County NC Website
Tara Fikes said there will be personnel to do phone duty, and there will be several <br /> different access points. She said there would be partnerships with the towns and non-profits. <br /> She said there is a proposal for this in Attachment B. <br /> Tara Fikes said the AHAB will focus on furthering the development of this clearing house <br /> in the coming months, to prepare for implementation on July 1, 2014. <br /> She said the board also wants to continue conversations with Community Home Trust <br /> regarding marketing and inventory. <br /> She said the board continues to monitor the bond program in preparation for a future <br /> affordable housing bond referendum. She said all of the 2001 bond money has been <br /> committed, and most of it has been spent. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said she liked the clearinghouse idea. She asked if there are <br /> already volunteers in place to work on this. <br /> James Stroud said Vista Corp volunteers are willing to come in and work on this. He <br /> said more volunteers will be recruited. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked if the work plan includes implementation of a media campaign to <br /> stimulate conversation about the need for affordable housing in the community. <br /> A Housing Board Member said there were tables at the Hog Day festival, as well as a <br /> room at the Senior Center. He said the site has been updated, there is a presence on <br /> Facebook. <br /> Patsy Barbee said activities and planning are managed on Facebook. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if there is a way to reach people who don't have computers. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked if brochures have been placed at social services. <br /> Chair Jacobs suggested the board meet with the Public Affairs Officer, Carla Banks, <br /> regarding community outreach. <br /> Chair Jacobs noted, on the top of page 5 in the minutes, the section on high end condo <br /> units and set-asides. He said he toured the units at Greenbridge, and the units do not have <br /> universal design. He asked if any of the issues identified on this page have been explored <br /> further. <br /> Tara Fikes said the board has not talked about that. She said the set-aside is part of <br /> Chapel Hill's re-zoning requirement, and the County does not have jurisdiction. <br /> Chair Jacobs said there will be an AOG meeting in November, and the County ought to <br /> be able to articulate and advocate for standards that should be followed. <br /> Tara Fikes said there have been conversations on a staff level with Home Trust, <br /> regarding inventory and the desirability of some of the units. <br /> Chair Jacobs said he would like to have some information before the Assembly of <br /> Governments (AOG) meeting on November 21St, to articulate concerns like universal design. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said maybe the AOG is a good time to discuss this. He said the <br /> idea of extracting units from any development doesn't ultimately serve the needs of the <br /> community. He said the Home Trust has small one bedroom condos, and there is a small <br /> market for these; however there is a wait list for families of 4 or 5. He said there is a <br /> disconnect here. <br /> He said there have been places in the past where a family unit was the model, and now <br /> there is a trend toward luxury condos, and this is creating a growing disconnect. He said there <br /> needs to be a discussion about this and the possible solution of giving the Home Trust more <br /> discretion in determining where the needs are. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the other issue to be discussed in the coming year is <br /> affordable rental housing. He said doing this through subsidy is not economically feasible. <br /> He said Chapel Hill is now debating the idea of a low income housing tax project. He said the <br />