Minutes 02-04-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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these homes are hardworking members of the community. She said 9 of these homes were built in Phoenix Place, and 2 of the homes were built in the Fairview Community in Hillsborough. She said despite the bad weather so far this year there are 9 homes currently being built in Rush Hollow, 2 homes in Fairview and 7 homes in Phoenix Place. She said when all of the families are moved into Phoenix Place in late summer, there will be 115 children living in a safe secure environment in which to grow. She said, despite the foreclosure crisis, home ownership is still a good thing for families, and it has a long term positive impact on families and children. Susan Levy, said there has been an increase in demand for the home ownership program over the past 5 years, and there were 300 applications for the 50 homes in Phoenix Place. She said 120 of these applicants met the basic qualifications, which means that 70 qualified families were turned down. She said the majority of the applicants were living in overcrowded apartments and paying more than 30 percent of their income toward rent. She said the owners of Habitat for Humanity homes usually pay less than their prior rent. She said Habitat is also very engaged with the Brush for Kindness program, and 18 families were served in 2013. She said this program will continue to expand. She said Habitat will continue to ask for $250,000 in home funds to support building projects. Susan Levy said that Habitat for Humanity, HomeTrust and CASA are all members of a newly formed affordable housing coalition in Orange County. She said this coalition hopes to continue to work with local government to increase the range of local housing options. Commissioner Rich asked what happens to people who are turned down. Susan Levy said these residents are referred to other programs if possible, but there are not a lot of options. Robert Dowling, Executive Director of Community Home Trust, said this community is fortunate to have Habitat for Humanity and Casa. He said more funding is needed in Orange County, and it is unfortunate that each of these organizations is competing for the same few dollars. He said the Waterstone Development is now moving forward on their residential components, and there are plans to develop 24 affordable townhomes. He said this is expected to happen by the summer of 2014. He said this means an increase in the funding he is requesting, and he will be requesting $100,000 in subsidy. He said Community Home Trust has 220 homes in their inventory and 15 more under construction. He said a lot of these are condominiums, and these are starting to see turnover, which means subsidies are needed. He said this is because the income limits today are less than those of 2004, while taxes and housing costs have increased. He thanked the Board for their support of affordable housing in Orange County. Commissioner McKee asked if Community Home Trust could collaborate with Habitat for Humanity and CASA on the project in Waterstone. Robert Dowling said he would look into this. Chair Jacobs asked Tara Fikes if any section 8 housing forms are left here for the Department of Social Services. Tara Fikes said applications are not currently being accepted because the list is so long. Chair Jacobs asked if this list will be re-visited to see if the residents are still interested. Tara Fikes said this purge is being done now, and this will take about six months. 6. Consent Agenda Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda