Agenda - 02-03-2015 - 8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Page 2 OCHA 2014 Report 02/03/2015 and we both took questions from reporters during and following t conference. The Orange County Community, including several segments of housi Takeaway: providers, advocates, political leadership and the general publi learning much more about the HCV program and how it works in Ora Following the mayors press conference in August, the Housing Authority, as promised, hosted an information session for landlords and the pu program and how to participate as a housing provider. It was hel County Library in Hillsborough and had modest attendance. We werisappointed that none of the housing advocates were able to attend, after re such a meeting. As a beginning to our educational efforts, we have (in addition created for the Landlords meeting) created a brochure that was printed in January 2015 after review with the Countys Public Information Officer. We are also forward to taking advantage of new information infrastructure so when the County launches its new website. Its critically importt that Orange Countys Voucher program not rest on its laurels after many, m a quietly well-run, effective program. The Orange County Government has long supported the HCV program Takeaway: and now does so at an even greater funding level following Feder 2015, we would like to raise the profile of the HCV program and taxpayers to highlight the value of that investment. In response to the increased pressures on the Orange County hous board voted at year-end to exercise its authority to increase the programs payment standard to 110% of the HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) rate. We are this change without authorization from HUD, but to extend furthe would need written consent from HUDs Greensboro office. This will allow many families to stay where they are, despite rental increases due to expands the affordable options for those assisted by the HCV pro to reduce the total number of families overall that we can help. We have also taken administrative steps to bring onto our books holders who have moved to Orange County with the permission of t Most of these are families with vouchers issued from the Durham Housing Authority. This process is called absorption and means that in accepting a pass-thru payment from Durham with those vouchers being counted by HUD as Durham vouchers, they become Orange County vouchers and a administered in the future just as any other we issued. This is important f because it helps to more accurately reflect the number of famili receiving assistance from our program. It also reduces the admin that is created for the two agencies who are cooperatively managing one voucher two jurisdictions.