Agenda - 10-04-2016 - 6-a - Minutes

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5 1 Commissioner Dorosin said it is important to determine the next steps. He said there is 2 a generalized list of goals, a list of providers, what they are doing, and a pot of money. He said 3 the projects and funding need to be prioritized. He said all elected bodies need to come 4 together to determine a process for evaluating projects in the queue, and those that are waiting 5 to get into the queue. 6 Commissioner Dorosin said they need some type of criteria or matrix by which to 7 prioritize projects. He said a plan can then be put in place, such as a project on the Greene 8 Tract, etc. and the funding distributed. He said the plan needs to move forward in a concrete 9 way. He said it would be helpful to have something for him to discuss at the Home Consortium. 10 Commissioner Burroughs agreed with that summary of getting to the next step. She 11 said Orange County can drive the next agenda at the Consortium, and provide a draft matrix in 12 order to facilitate a creative and collaborative conversation. 13 Chair McKee said this discussion is addressing his concern that the Board is just talking 14 without any action. 15 16 The Affordable Housing Gap in Orange County Goal and Priorities 17 Discussion Question #1 18 • Are there any additional questions or priorities regarding the shared Goal of 1,000 19 Affordable Assisted Units over the next five years (through community, nonprofit, 20 intergovernmental and private sector partnerships)? 21 22 Commissioner Rich asked if the top priorities are known, and where to begin. She 23 referred to the income levels of those that are almost ready to move out of Orange County, 24 because it is too expensive to live here anymore. She asked if there is a plan to incorporate 25 work force housing into the picture. 26 Commissioner Jacobs said work force housing is a priority, and this is where the 27 University of North Carolina (UNC) can be engaged in the conversation, as many of their 28 employees cannot afford to live in this community. He said Orange County so highly values 29 education, yet teachers cannot afford to live here. 30 Commissioner Rich said it is important to identify a certain number of homes, for work 31 force housing, as part of the 1,000 units. 32 Commissioner Dorosin said the lower income residents are not served as much as the 33 higher income residents. He said if a matrix was set up, there could be a third of the units 34 dedicated to a certain range, the next third at another range, and the final third at yet another 35 range. He said the Board must work together to make this work, so that all the housing does 36 not serve just one group. 37 Commissioner Jacobs said the Board must determine priorities and stick with them. He 38 said it is useful to have a holistic view of the community. 39 Commissioner Burroughs said there are categories of work force housing that also fall in 40 the lowest income levels, such as certified nursing assistants and teaching assistants. She said 41 the Board must be very intentional about meeting the needs of those at the lowest income 42 levels. 43 Commissioner Pelissier said workforce housing for lower level incomes, those with 44 special needs, the homeless and seniors, have all been missed by the Board historically. She 45 wants to prioritize those groups that have not been addressed in the past, as opposed to 46 standard workforce housing. She said the Board should focus on those residents that are here 47 in Orange County, and want to stay here. 48 Commissioner Rich said to also include the creative classes who bring diversity to 49 Orange County. 50 Commissioner Dorosin said the bond money has to serve low-income residents.