Orange County NC Website
16 <br /> Dan Levine said he is active with the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition. He <br /> said he and others are here to thank the Board of County Commissioners for their commitment <br /> to affordable housing in Orange County and the funding through a bond. He also commended <br /> Audrey Spencer Horsley for this draft plan. He said they are here as a resource for Orange <br /> County. <br /> Doris Bailey thanked Audrey Spencer Horsley and the Board of County Commissioners <br /> for realizing the need for affordable housing, especially for rental units. <br /> Commissioner Price said there are a lot of community meetings upcoming, but none of <br /> them are north of Highway 70. She asked if it would be possible to add a meeting in Cedar <br /> Grove. <br /> Audrey Spencer Horsley said yes. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier referred to the issue of affordability, and said people are <br /> looking at both housing and transportation combined being 45% of their household income. <br /> She said as this plan moves forward, to consider transportation as a real part of the equation. <br /> Commissioner Burroughs said she liked the set goals, and Audrey Spencer Horsley's <br /> explanation of where the 1000 units are coming from. She appreciated the balance between <br /> ownership and rental. <br /> Commissioner Burroughs said mobile homes are a good source of affordable housing, <br /> but there needs to be a clear emergency service plan for those in mobile home parks. <br /> Audrey Spencer Horsley said locating a community center near such communities is <br /> one option. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if a timeline for discussion of costs for the plan is known. <br /> She said she would like to look at this in a broader time frame, such as 5 or 10 years. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said this plan is broad so the Board could prioritize the options, <br /> knowing that all cannot be completed in one year. She said the plan over five years can be <br /> determined and the funding then allocated to accomplish the plan. <br /> Commissioner Rich said how does this plan work given the Board's commitment to <br /> giving non-profits more funding, and asked if these funds will be in addition to this. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said this $1 million will be part of the operating budget this year, <br /> per the BOCC direction. She said the County currently spends $800,000, and the $1 million <br /> includes the additional $200,000 that the Board of County Commissioners approved last year. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if the extra $200,000 will be distributed in a particular way. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said those decisions are at the Board's discretion. <br /> Commissioner Rich said additional outside agency funding would not be affected by <br /> these funds. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said yes. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs listed things he wanted more information on or wanted to <br /> highlight: <br /> • Orange County Housing Authority— he does not know their capabilities, and he would <br /> like some information about Audrey Spencer Horsley's vision of this group's <br /> participation; <br /> • Incentives — break them out in detail, and show how more incentives can be provided; <br /> • Units — he said would like to talk about the type of units, not just the quantity; <br /> • The 120 acres on the Greene Tract was not mentioned; <br /> • Urgent home repairs — he is glad this was included; <br /> • Suggestion to have some standards for those units being funded by the County, such <br /> as handicapped accessible; and <br /> • A mobile home strategy is needed. <br />