Agenda - 01-21-2016 - 6-a - Minutes

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8 1 parties to provide input into the Annual Action Plan Update. In addition, the public may comment 2 on proposed uses of an estimated $311,832 in 2016-2017 funds. Information regarding the 3 actual Congressional allocation is not available at this time. Eligible HOME Program activities 4 include: acquisition; new construction; housing rehabilitation; and rental assistance. 5 The Orange County Board of Commissioners, as a member of the Orange County 6 HOME Consortium, approved $450,317 in HOME Program funds for FY 2014 — 2015. All 7 program funds have been allocated to projects and 51% has been expended to-date. The Board 8 of Commissioners approved $412,638 in HOME Program Funds for FY 2015 - 2016. This year's 9 allocation of HOME funds is pending environmental assessments/reviews and subsequent 10 contractual agreements. The HOME compliance deadlines are a two (2) year commitment 11 reservation of funds and a five (5) year expenditure requirement. 12 An application form has been designed for agencies interested in accessing HOME 13 funds for local housing projects. HOME funding will be awarded through a joint application 14 process. The deadline for completing the application form is January 25, 2016. The Home 15 Program Review Committee will then review the applications received and make 16 recommendations regarding funding for consideration by the local elected officials in April 2016. 17 The 2016 Annual Action Plan will be submitted to HUD on or before May 13, 2016. 18 In order to inform the general public of this opportunity and encourage participation, 19 notices have been placed in The Chapel Hill News, News of Orange, and The Herald-Sun, and 20 also sent to local non-profit agencies and placed on local websites. 21 22 FINANCIAL IMPACT: 23 The Orange County HOME Consortium expects to receive an allocation of $311,832 in 24 HOME Program funds for 2016-2017; the same level as last fiscal year. 25 26 Chair McKee opened the public hearing. 27 Commissioner Rich asked if the members of the Home Program Review Committee 28 could be identified. 29 Audrey Spencer Horsley said Commissioner Dorosin is one member, and the remainder 30 of the Committee is made up of other officials from the municipalities, plus support staff. 31 Commissioner Rich asked if this is an on-going committee. 32 Audrey Spencer Horsley said the Committee meets as needed to decide on funding. 33 Commissioner Dorosin referred to page 3 of the consolidated plan summary and asked if 34 the highest identified needs are low wealth elderly residents, rental housing for low income, and 35 housing for low-income residents with disabilities. 36 Audrey Spencer Horsley said that is correct. 37 Commissioner Dorosin asked if those priorities would be driving the consideration of how 38 funds are distributed. 39 Audrey Spencer Horsley said it is the intent of the consolidated plan for the community 40 to talk about the needs in the community, and how HOME funding should be used. 41 Commissioner Dorosin said there are more requests than there are funds available, and 42 the purpose of having this consolidated plan is to determine the priorities on which to focus. 43 Commissioner Jacobs asked if this is this going to be folded into Audrey Spencer 44 Horsley's presentation regarding the bond package after the New Year. 45 Audrey Spencer Horsley said yes. 46 Commissioner Pelissier referred to the statements made about the need for greater code 47 enforcement in lower income, rural areas. She asked if there are plans to address these needs. 48 Audrey Spencer Horsley said the County would address portions of the plan, while other 49 portions will be given to the private sector to address. 50 Commissioner Jacobs said he has raised this issue before, and that he was told for 51 many years that there are residents in northern Orange County that do not have running water.