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Commissioner Pelissier answered: <br /> Alderman Damon Seils -Town of Carrboro <br /> Council Member Sally Greene - Town of Chapel Hill <br /> Commissioner Kathleen Ferguson - Town of Hillsborough <br /> Chair McKee said people often think of the homeless as those living in the woods or <br /> sleeping in the alley, but it is his understanding that the homeless also includes those who are <br /> "couch surfing." He asked for clarification on this. <br /> Jamie Rohe said the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a <br /> restrictive definition of homelessness, which includes those people staying in emergency <br /> shelters, transitional housing (which is really a long term shelter), and people living in places not <br /> meant for human habitation. She said this does not include people who are in institutions. She <br /> said this conservative definition is designed to be clear about who is receiving assistance, and <br /> to make sure data is measurable. <br /> Mary Jane Seyda said the number on the street is very conservative, as it does not <br /> include these people who are just one night away from being on the street. <br /> Jamie Rohe said their partnership is starting to look more closely at affordable housing <br /> issues. <br /> Commissioner porosin asked if there has been consideration of the tiny house <br /> movement. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she has asked the Board to look at information on the tiny <br /> houses, and it should be coming back for discussion. <br /> Commissioner Rich said it would be good to treat affordable housing as a County-wide <br /> initiative, like the issue of homelessness. <br /> Mary Jane Seyda said there have been discussions with the municipalities about this. <br /> Jamie Rohe said every five years any jurisdiction that receives state and federal is <br /> required to do a five year consolidated plan. She said the County is due to complete its updated <br /> five year strategic plan. She said some of the home funding is used to give rental assistance to <br /> the homeless, so the partnership is encouraging the town and the County to use this planning <br /> tool to look at the current stock, the current needs and the big picture. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said Commissioner Pelissier had petitioned for Orange County to <br /> take the lead in the affordable housing discussion with the Towns. She said the newly hired <br /> Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Director, Audrey Spencer-Horsley, has a <br /> strong background in this area. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said the Partnership to End Homelessness cannot be the <br /> affordable housing entity for the entire County. She said the elected officials need to be <br /> engaged in this as well. She said her petition also included a request for researching the idea of <br /> tiny houses. <br /> Chair McKee asked Audrey Spencer-Horsley if she would like to make any comments. <br /> Audrey Spencer-Horsley, the new Housing, Human Rights and Community Development <br /> Director, said she believes that problems are solved through collaboration to maximize <br /> resources. She said she is excited about being a part of this conversation. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Pelissier, seconded by Commissioner Price for <br /> the Board to adopt the updated Partnership to End Homelessness Memorandum of <br /> Understanding and authorize the Chair to sign. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. Recommended Uses of General Fund Unassiqned Fund Balance as of June 30, <br /> 2014 <br />