Minutes 09-08-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 Chair McKee said he wants to make sure that the County does not run out in front of its partners, and he is making the assumption that this same conversation, regarding a unified effort, is going on in the Towns. Audrey Spencer Horsley said yes, there is a unified commitment at the staff level, and it is hoped through the HOME Consortium that the elected officials will assist in closing the gap. Chair McKee asked if there is a way to get to a unified effort at the elected officials' level. Commissioner Dorosin said it is important to determine the next steps. He said there is a generalized list of goals, a list of providers, what they are doing, and a pot of money. He said the projects and funding need to be prioritized. He said all elected bodies need to come together to determine a process for evaluating projects in the queue, and those that are waiting to get into the queue. Commissioner Dorosin said they need some type of criteria or matrix by which to prioritize projects. He said a plan can then be put in place, such as a project on the Greene Tract, etc. and the funding distributed. He said the plan needs to move forward in a concrete way. He said it would be helpful to have something for him to discuss at the Home Consortium. Commissioner Burroughs agreed with that summary of getting to the next step. She said Orange County can drive the next agenda at the Consortium, and provide a draft matrix in order to facilitate a creative and collaborative conversation. Chair McKee said this discussion is addressing his concern that the Board is just talking without any action. The Affordable Housing Gap in Orange County Goal and Priorities Discussion Question #1 • Are there any additional questions or priorities regarding the shared Goal of 1,000 Affordable Assisted Units over the next five years (through community, nonprofit, intergovernmental and private sector partnerships)? Commissioner Rich asked if the top priorities are known, and where to begin. She referred to the income levels of those that are almost ready to move out of Orange County, because it is too expensive to live here anymore. She asked if there is a plan to incorporate work force housing into the picture. Commissioner Jacobs said work force housing is a priority, and this is where the University of North Carolina (UNC) can be engaged in the conversation, as many of their employees cannot afford to live in this community. He said Orange County so highly values education, yet teachers cannot afford to live here. Commissioner Rich said it is important to identify a certain number of homes, for work force housing, as part of the 1,000 units. Commissioner Dorosin said the lower income residents are not served as much as the higher income residents. He said if a matrix was set up, there could be a third of the units dedicated to a certain range, the next third at another range, and the final third at yet another range. He said the Board must work together to make this work, so that all the housing does not serve just one group. Commissioner Jacobs said the Board must determine priorities and stick with them. He said it is useful to have a holistic view of the community. Commissioner Burroughs said there are categories of work force housing that also fall in the lowest income levels, such as certified nursing assistants and teaching assistants. She