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

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Attachment 2 7 Input from First 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. Target Population: Homeownership programs are targeted to families with incomes at or below 80% of the HUD published area median income. [Given the high cost of housing in the county, and relatively low AMIs, arguably locally funded homeownership programs should be allowed to target a slightly higher AMI range, perhaps up to 100% AMI. I do agree that prioritizing lower incomes is important.) 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 which can be purchased for no more than 2.5 times to 3.0 times the total annual family income [This seems limiting and alsol[su] not very responsive to changes in programs and market conditions. E.g., a Habitat home comes with a 0% mortgage so can be priced higher than 3x income and still very affordable, while other programs' affordability varies with interest rates over time. I'd suggest using a 30% gross income standard like with rental or similar approach), 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 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. 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 by a note and deed of trust. Evidence must be provided that agency and/or program guidelines are in place to assure affordability compliance.