Orange County NC Website
. 11 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING COALITION <br /> P . 0 . Box 1057, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 <br /> March 21, 1995 <br /> Orange County Commissioners <br /> 200 S . Cameron Street <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> Dear Commissioners : <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the proposed <br /> School Construction Impact Fee increase . Our Coalition has <br /> been working to advocate creation of rental and home- <br /> ownership opportunities for many of those who labor in our <br /> county who, because of the escalating cost of housing, are <br /> increasingly forced to commute. -from outlying areas . <br /> Obviously any increase in the cost of a home purchase <br /> impacts those at the lower economic scale the most. At the <br /> same time, we recognize the need to obtain additional funds <br /> to cover the added education services new homeowners <br /> require . Impact fees meet that need . <br /> However, we cannot endorse the proposed increase in the <br /> impact fee to $1, 000 without the inclusion of a progressive <br /> system of implementing the tax. We recommend that a method <br /> be established to insure the impact fee does not place a <br /> larger burden on those least able to pay. That method could <br /> include, but not be limited to, using indexing, a sliding <br /> fee, or tax credits to insure fairness . <br /> In your deliberations, we urge you to keep in mind the goal <br /> of providing housing possibilities for those in the lower <br /> economic levels . They should have a choice to be a part of <br /> Orange County during their non-working hours, to share in <br /> its festivals, to join its houses of wokship, to educate <br /> their children in our school system, and to give back to the <br /> community where they work . We urge you to make whatever <br /> effort is necessary to establish a progressive tax plan that <br /> insures that Orange County remains a welcoming, diverse <br /> community, enjoying the benefits of the energies, talents, <br /> and dreams of people of every income level who want to live <br /> here . <br /> SiJe rely yours, <br /> Chs E. Zi for <br /> Ora County A fordable <br /> Housing Coalition <br />