Minutes 06-02-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

6 The HOME Committee already has many of the characteristics and orientation necessary to assume the responsibilities of a multijurisdictional affordable housing committee. He said: 1. The purpose of the HOME Consortium is to allow jurisdictions to take a more regional and collaborative approach to affordable housing, recognizing that housing needs cross Town and County boundaries. 2. The Committee is already composed of representatives from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. 3. The HOME Consortium develops the Consolidated Plan which defines housing needs in the community and an annual Action Plan that describes the specific uses for federal housing funds. 4. The HOME Committee already uses a competitive request for proposal process for soliciting, reviewing, and selecting affordable housing projects. Travis Myren said the table in the abstract outlined additional tasks that may be required and where it is suggested to transition the HOME Committee into a Multijurisdictional Task Force on Affordable Housing. He said based on the feedback tonight, staff would go to the other jurisdictions for their feedback. Commissioner Burroughs asked if all the jurisdictions are currently represented. Travis Myren said yes, with the exception of Mebane. Mayor Hemminger asked if there are any affordable housing providers in this group. Travis Myren said no. Mayor Hemminger said Chapel Hill had a work session recently and found out that 5% of the total housing in Chapel Hill is for affordable housing. She said they can do better, and the question is whether to expand the scope of the existing group or create a new one. Council Member Palmer said she is for fewer boards and thinks that the HOME group could be tweaked and expanded to fit the need, if that group is willing to do so. Commissioner Pelissier said she agreed that the HOME Consortium could work and when she petitioned for a new group, she had not thought if this possibility. Council Member Oates said a new group would have a new perspective. Commissioner Rich asked Commissioner Dorosin since he serves on the HOME consortium, if this group has discussed this possibility. She said the Orange County Board of County Commissioners makes new appointments every year, so they could get new blood on the board that way. Commissioner Dorosin said the group has not yet discussed this idea, since the HOME consortium meets only a few times to review home funding, which is why home providers are not on the board. He said that this group could expand its scope and meeting schedule, and staffing for either group would be the same. He said he sees no reason to create a new board if it is not necessary. Commissioner Rich said she supports expanding the current charge and meeting schedule. She said all can think about this and to work with Commissioner Pelissier since she first proposed it. Council Member Cianciolo said one addition to the charge should be to come up with a new strategic plan. Council Member Palmer said she agreed and thinks this would be very doable. Council Member Oates said this proposal asks a group of people that have done one specific thing to do something completely different and come up with a new strategic plan. She would instead propose a new group and/or new people for a new perspective and ideas. Commissioner Pelissier said a countywide strategic plan is what she was aiming for, when she petitioned for this committee.