Agenda - 02-21-2017 - 7-b - Review and Amend the Orange County Housing Affordability Policy

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Attachment 3 11 Input from Second Group of Affordable Housing Providers ATTACHMENT-- LONG-TERM HOUSING AFFORDABILITY POLICY Purpose: This policy establishes the acceptable strategies for ensuring long- term affordability in all affordable housing programs supported by County financial resources[ri]. Target Population: Homeownership programs are generally targeted to families with incomes at or below 80% of the HUD published area median income. However, some nonprofit providers also sell a limited number of homes to households over 80% AMI, but no higher than 115% AMI. Rental housing programs are targeted to families with incomes at or below 60% of the HUD published area median income. Definitions Affordable Housing -is defined as (1)owner-occupied housing for which the monthly housing costs (including PITI, HOA dues and required fees) do not exceed 30 percent of the gross monthly income of the purchaser(s).which can be purchased for no more than 2.5 times to 3.0 times the total annual family income, or(2)rental housing forwhich the occupant pays no more than 30%of gross income for all housing costs including utilities. First-time homebuyer/Qualified buyer - A first-time homebuyer for the purposes of this program is any low or moderate income household that has not owned a home within the past three (3) years including households living in manufactured housing not permanently affixed to a foundation, or owner-occupants of homes not feasible for renovation. As previously agreed, the first-time homebuyer restriction will be waived after a home is available for sale for 90 days. As a result, a Qualified buyer is not necessarily a first- time homebuyer. I. Impact Fee Reimbursement Program (existing policy last revised March 4, 1998.) A. Owner-Occupied Housing Any organization requesting impact fee reimbursement must certify in writing, that, for owner occupied housing, it will remain affordable to the anticipated beneficiary or beneficiaries for a period of a minimum of ninety-nine (99) years or longer depending upon the funding source. This requirement will be secured by a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants. B. Rental Housing An organization requesting impact fee reimbursement for rental housing must certify that the property will remain affordable for ninety-nine (99) years. The rental housing certification must be secured by a Declaration of Restrictive Covenant requilng repayment to Orange County of the impact fee if the rental housing does not remain affordable during the period of affordability, which covenant will be further seemed[r2] by a note and deed of trust. Evidence must be provided that agency and/or program guidelines are in place to assure affordability compliance.