Affordable Housing Task Force Report - 4-3-2001

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9 ♦ Assist in the implementation of the strategies contained in the FY 2001 Commissioners Affordable Housing Task Force Report; • Monitor progress of local housing programs; ♦ Explore new funding opportunities; • Generally increase the community's awareness, understanding, commitment to and involvement in a comprehensive program of initiatives to increase the amount of attractive affordable housing; • Assist in the investigation of residential segregation patterns in the County. ♦ Other housing-related items identified by the Board of Commissioners. [Reference: All Subcommittee Reports] 3. Initiate a joint effort between the County and Town governments to engage a concerted and ongoing dialogue with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on issues that affect affordable and accessible housing. Current estimates are that up to 15,000 students live in off-campus housing, a number equivalent to about a third of the total number of county households. [Reference: Inventory/Needs Subcommittee Report] 4. Adopt the revised Evaluation Criteria for the Housing Bond Program as proposed in this report. Housing bond funds should be awarded as soon as a proposal is approved. Housing proposals that score of 60 points indicate projects are well structured and deserve funding. If funds are not available, funds should be raised for all projects scoring above 60 points. [Reference: Finance Subcommittee Report] 5. Adopt affordable housing enabling zoning provisions including enhanced accessory zoning and inclusionary development ordinances. When necessary, the governments should aggressively encourage the state legislature to grant the authority to enact these provisions. [Reference: Zoning Subcommittee Report] 6. Acquire land for eventual affordable housing development purposes. There is a dwindling supply of appropriate available land for development in the County and the County and towns should take the lead in acquiring land for future housing development. [Reference: Finance Subcommittee Report] 7. Utilize equity sharing and other methods of limiting housing cost escalation to make and keep housing affordable for future generations of low income households. [Reference: Finance Subcommittee Report] 8. Challenge and encourage all non-profits and for-profit housing providers to share resources and collaborate together on affordable housing projects. Further, these groups should incorporate opportunities for in-kind donations and community support into their programs. Involvement creates consensus. [Reference: Finance Subcommittee Report]