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6 <br /> 1 Commissioner Rich referred to the economic development section about senior housing <br /> 2 on 271 acres off of 1-40, and asked if any of this will be affordable housing. <br /> 3 Margaret Hauth said as of now, she did not see that in the plan. <br /> 4 Commissioner Rich asked if there is a way to request that this type of housing be <br /> 5 included in the plan. <br /> 6 Margaret Hauth said it is an application under Orange County Planning review, so one <br /> 7 would need to request more information as this application is brought forward. She said the <br /> 8 application has only just been submitted, so it may not be ripe for BOCC discussion yet. <br /> 9 Chair Dorosin said he was encouraged to see all of the affordable housing coming into <br /> 10 the developments in Hillsborough. <br /> 11 Mayor Stevens said Town board is very concerned with substandard housing in <br /> 12 Hillsborough. <br /> 13 Commissioner Ferguson asked if there is a way to work with the County's apparatus in <br /> 14 helping residents moving out of housing that contains mold or animal feces. She asked if this <br /> 15 would involve the Health Department, the Non-profit sector, etc. She said habitable homes are <br /> 16 needed in many areas, and the renters cannot speak up for fear of eviction. <br /> 17 Commissioner Jacobs said Orange County has an urgent home repair program, but the <br /> 18 property owners would have to be involved. He said Habitat for Humanity has a similar <br /> 19 program. <br /> 20 Commissioner Ferguson said painting over black mold is not an appropriate solution, <br /> 21 and there has to be a solution for these types of problems. <br /> 22 Commissioner Price said some people own their homes, and few know how to access <br /> 23 help. <br /> 24 Margaret Hauth said most of the programs in the Town requires that the property owner <br /> 25 to be income eligible, which is not often the case. <br /> 26 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if there is a way to determine the number of homes that <br /> 27 are in disrepair. <br /> 28 Margaret Hauth said there is no systematic method for this, as people do not want to be <br /> 29 evicted. She said knowing about all these homes would warrant a reaction, and it may be too <br /> 30 large a problem to fix. <br /> 31 Commissioner Marcoplos said he delivered meals on wheels for years, and he could <br /> 32 have recorded these types of homes. He said most were seniors. <br /> 33 Commissioner Price said if renters report issues, they are at at risk of losing their <br /> 34 housing. <br /> 35 Chair Dorosin said a better job must be done with the voucher program, which could <br /> 36 perhaps incentivize the homeowners to improve the rental homes. <br /> 37 Chair Dorosin said there are apps that can be used to report homes. <br /> 38 Chair Dorosin said Orange County has put money aside in their Capital Investment Plan <br /> 39 (CIP) to look at manufactured housing. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 2. Economic Development <br /> 42 a) Downtown Improvements and Redevelopment <br /> 43 (update of downtown improvements**, downtown redevelopment opportunities*, former <br /> 44 Colonial Inn update* <br /> 45 b) Economic Development District (EDD) Development and Infrastructure* <br /> 46 (update on sewer extension**; commercial development recruitment*) <br /> 47 <br /> 48 Mayor Stevens said the Town is committed to a commercial base, and is concerned <br /> 49 about keeping what already exists, while increasing it. He listed different areas around Town. <br /> 50 <br />