Minutes 10-03-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 • To provide guidance on the administration of the HOME Program activities as required by the US Department of Housing & Urban Development, including the following: — recommend priorities and criteria for HOME Program funding — annually evaluate applications for HOME funding and provide a recommendation to the elected bodies of each jurisdiction in the Consortium Rationale for the Proposed Revisions • Members of the Orange County community expressed, during the 2016 Affordable Housing Bond discussions, the importance of intergovernmental collaboration as a way to maximize public funds for affordable housing purposes. • Elected officials at a recent Assembly of Governments Meeting indicated an interest in having the staff and HOME Program Review Committee expand its scope to include broader discussions about the County's affordable housing issues, as well as seek to create collaborative strategies and solutions as it relates to affordable housing issues. Recommendation for Consideration Approve the resolution in Attachment 1 to expand the scope of the HOME Program Review Committee's role and form the "Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative" to allow for broader discussions on the County's affordable housing issues, including the creation of collaborative strategies and solutions. Commissioner Price said this is a consortium, and asked if the consortium can review the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Sherrill Hampton said this could be included in the broader discussion. Commissioner Price asked if data could be compiled on the amount of local and other dollars that are leveraged when using federal dollars. Chair Dorosin clarified that the committee is now staffed by Orange County Housing, and has one representative from the Towns and the County. Sherrill Hampton said yes. She said the Carrboro elected official position is currently vacant, but the Assistant Town Manager participates. Chair Dorosin asked if the four elected members are the voting members. Sherrill Hampton said she believes staff makes recommendations, and the committee votes. She said she will verify this information. Chair Dorosin said this is a great idea, and he believes the consortium is underutilized. He said this is a structure that is already in place to address issues, and defining more structure and specific outcomes is good. Chair Dorosin said he spoke to one of their colleagues in Carrboro, and suggested adding an Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) board member and staff member to this group. He asked for the Board's feedback on this suggestion. Commissioner Price agreed with this suggestion, especially if the group is going to be looking at CDBG funds. She asked if Hillsborough water should also be included. Chair Dorosin said the Town of Hillsborough oversees that water, and its existing representative in the group is likely sufficient. Commissioner Marcoplos clarified whether the BOCC is saying it wants an OWASA representative, or if the BOCC is asking OWASA to consider being part of the group. Chair Dorosin said he would like the BOCC to invite OWASA to be a part of this group. Commissioner Jacobs said OWASA has repeatedly resisted this position, and he would support inviting OWASA to participate, leaving the choice to OWASA. Commissioner Jacobs said Hillsborough water is intertwined with the Town. Commissioner Marcoplos said it would be good to invite OWASA to participate.