Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> partnership with the Towns, nonprofits, Advisory Boards and Commissions, the private sector, <br /> faith communities, other County agencies, state and federal resources and the community at- <br /> large. <br /> In order to begin to meet the need for affordable housing in Orange County, particularly <br /> residents who are most cost burdened at 30% to 50 % median income as discussed in the <br /> AHSP, the ASHP has an overarching shared countywide goal of 1,000 affordable housing units. <br /> The shared countywide goal of 1,000 units are to be provided through acquisition, construction, <br /> urgent repair, assisted housing, and rehabilitation of the existing housing stock over the next five <br /> (5) years. At least 500 of the units are recommended to be new assisted rental units through <br /> the leveraging of funds from the planned November 2016 $5 million bond referendum for <br /> affordable housing. <br /> The priority for new rental housing would be 25 — 30% (250 — 300 units) of the units serving <br /> extremely and very low income households, at or below 30% — 50 % of median income and <br /> another 25 - 30% (250 — 300 units) serving special needs populations including the homeless, <br /> persons with physical and or mental disabilities and the elderly. The highest priority is <br /> recommended for these populations with the greatest hardships of cost burden and or the least <br /> options for affordable housing. The remaining 40 — 50 % (400 — 500) units would serve <br /> individuals and households that are at or below 50 - 80% of median income for the County. <br /> The AHSP has identified ten goals with strategies provided for each goal and action and <br /> recommendations to implement them. The thirty three: Actions (A)/Recommendations(R) are <br /> listed with each goal and set of strategies. Those numbered with (AR) are <br /> Actions/Recommendations staff is requesting to pursue immediately and or require funding <br /> decisions. With the Board's approval of the AHSP, staff will bring back to the Board detailed <br /> work plans and metrics in collaboration with community and municipal partners and County <br /> agencies. <br /> The AHSP builds on the analyses, data, community-wide input, findings and strategies in the <br /> Orange County Consolidated Plan and the Analysis of Impediments to fair housing choice <br /> prepared for the Orange County HOME Consortium that is comprised of Orange County and the <br /> Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Hillsborough. The AHSP also included <br /> review and consideration of existing affordable housing plans of the Towns and studies and <br /> plans of County Advisory Boards and Commissions. This included the County's Comprehensive <br /> Plan and Unified Development Ordinance, Aging Plan and Plan of the Partnership to End <br /> Homelessness among numerous other plans and studies on affordable housing in the County, <br /> region and nationally that have been prepared recently and over the years. What has been the <br /> consistent story is the need is great and immediate and the lack of affordable housing has <br /> continued to worsen over the years. <br /> The AHSP identifies the critical need for affordable housing for individuals and households of <br /> extremely and very low income and for population groups with special needs including the <br /> homeless, persons with physical and or mental disabilities and the elderly. The AHSP reviewed <br /> existing affordable housing programs and tools of the County and covers an assessment of the <br /> County's housing stock. This included examining mobile home parks of the County, a source of <br /> affordable housing; publicly owned land and other development opportunities; and challenges <br /> for preserving and increasing the supply of affordable housing given the County's existing and <br /> planned infrastructure and access to transportation, employment, services and other community <br /> assets. <br />